Career Opportunities

Vice President for Conservation Science

  • Type: Full time
  • Employer: NatureServe
  • Location: Washington, DC Metro Area (Arlington, Virginia)
  • Supervisor: President and CEO

This is an exciting opportunity for a conservation science professional who would like to work in an organization that is having a positive impact on some of the world’s most pressing environmental issues. The position is based in our office in Arlington, VA, within a convenient walk of the Rosslyn Metro Station.

About Us

NatureServe, a nonprofit conservation science and technology organization, provides the scientific basis for effective conservation action. With nearly 100 staff and an international network of over 80 natural heritage programs across the United States, Canada, and Latin America, we are the leading source of information on rare and endangered species and threatened ecosystems. We provide information and tools to conservation groups, government agencies, corporations, academia, and the public to help them make informed decisions about managing our natural resources. NatureServe holds a unique niche, by providing scientifically sound guidance for major conservation investments across the hemisphere.

NatureServe offers a high–intensity, results-oriented, and collaborative workplace where a common mission provides focus and excitement, and inspires staff to invest their best creative, intellectual, and personal efforts to ensure mission success.

Summary of Position:

The Conservation Science team develops methods to support conservation data collection and assessment. The team develops and maintains information on the taxonomy, range–wide distribution, and conservation status for plants, animals and ecosystems. They apply this information to help society adapt to climate change, conduct endangered and invasive species assessments, predict species ranges now and in the future, classify and map ecosystems, and assess the ecological integrity of specific places among other applications. Staff positions within this division include research botanists and zoologists, terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecologists, GIS and science information specialists.

The Vice President for Conservation Science guides the strategic development and growth of Conservation Science programs, projects and partnerships in NatureServe to result in significant and enduring effects in the conservation of species and systems. He/she will represent NatureServe in scientific partnerships, provide scientific leadership to our network of members, promote and support innovative approaches for the development and management of scientific information, including the advancement of conservation planning tools that facilitate the use of this information in the conservation arena.

Essential Job Functions:
  1. Provide leadership for the Conservation Science programs in the strategic development of data, methods, tools, and integrated information products that result in significant enduring benefits in the conservation of biological and ecological diversity.
  2. Develop partnerships with national and international organizations, federal and subnational agencies, professional organizations, and academic institutions to enhance development and application of scientific standards, methods and products for the conservation of biological and ecological diversity.
  3. Raise public and private funds to support scientific activities.
  4. Publish methods, results, and issue–oriented publications that advance effective conservation action.
Required Experience & Qualifications:
  1. Ph.D. in biology or ecology, with special emphasis in conservation science. More than seven years work experience in applying the concepts of conservation biology and related fields to conservation decision–making and natural resources management.
  2. Personal and professional credibility in the conservation science community.
  3. Proven experience in program development, priority setting, and the management of finances, people, and workloads of a large program. Well organized and able to orchestrate multiple activities to accomplish set goals. Results-oriented, and able to set and keep objectives, develop schedules, anticipate and solve problems, measure performance against goals, and evaluate results.
  4. Proven ability to negotiate contracts and cooperative agreements related to scientific initiatives and partnerships. Excellent skills in public/private partnership building and ability to deal perceptively and communicate effectively (verbal and written) with a diverse array of people and institutions.
  5. Excellent speaking and writing ability required, especially the ability to write cogently on complex technical matters.
  6. Proven strategic thinker who can set priorities, and evaluate the financial and strategic implications of decisions.
Prefered Skills

Experience in fundraising in a highly competitive fundraising environment is desirable. An ability to find and nurture connections between staff, the Network, and donors is key.

How to Apply:

Send resume and covering letter to:

  • Attn: Job #CS881
  • 1101 Wilson Blvd., 15th Floor
  • Arlington, VA 22209
  • Fax: 703–908–1917
  • E-mail: jobs@natureserve.org (Please refer to Job #CS881 in subject line)

NATURESERVE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER