Job ID: 48244
Location: Lansing, Michigan
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
A LITTLE ABOUT US
Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 74 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.
YOUR POSITION WITH TNC
The Essel and Menakka Bailey Conservation Fellowship Program was established to help develop the conservation leaders of tomorrow. The program is designed to provide recent graduates and early career conservation professionals with the opportunity to work in an environment that combines a deep-dive into a specific conservation project with a broad introduction to major conservation issues and the operations of The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) organization. In this program, the Fellow will have the opportunity to work with Conservancy Staff across multiple dimensions of the conservation discipline, including science, restoration, policy, land protection, and communications. Furthermore, the Fellowship is flexibly designed to emphasize those experiences the individual wants or needs to prepare them for their conservation career.
For the 2020 Fellowship, The Nature Conservancy has entered into a partnership with the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR - https://ciglr.seas.umich.edu) to examine questions surrounding coastal resiliency. Reaching restoration goals for coastal habitat in the Great Lakes, while adapting to projected changes in water level fluctuations and storm events, will require a suite of innovative solutions heading into the coming decades. For example, these solutions may include use of dredge material to create or restore islands and other features, establishment of non-diked wetlands, and creation of floating islands of vegetation, among others. However, the solutions eventually chosen and implemented will not only require acceptance and support from the public, but also will prove most effective if they provide nature-based benefits to people in our coastal communities.
Specifically, we are seeking a post-doctoral Fellow to assess public perceptions of coastal restoration efforts across the Great Lakes, focusing on a suite of past, present and future restoration efforts. We are seeking a researcher who can assess public perceptions of coastal restoration projects through non-monitory valuations, with consideration of ecological, social and economic benefits. As such, the Fellow must be skilled at interacting with an interdisciplinary team of researchers and practitioners. Outputs will include a review of coastal restoration efforts across the Great Lakes, an analysis of stakeholder perceptions concerning innovative restoration projects (with the potential to focus on emerging restoration efforts in western Lake Erie), and recommendations for successful siting and implementation of resilient restoration projects. The fellow will be co-advised by senior scientists at The Nature Conservancy as well as a committee of advisors representing academic and agency interest in coastal restoration.
The Bailey Fellow will be awarded one year of support to work with TNC and CIGLR, as well as additional partners. The Fellow will be mentored by staff from TNC and CIGLR who will help the Fellow develop and implement coastal restoration research projects of priority to both TNC and CIGLR. Our intent is to find win-win-win scenarios for the Fellow, TNC, and CIGLR. The Fellow will be employed by TNC and administratively based at our Michigan Field Office, in Lansing, MI which is centrally located in the “Great Lakes Research Corridor” with numerous top-ranked universities and conservation science programs located within a 150-mile radius. The Fellow will also be provided with work space on the University of Michigan campus with other CIGLR faculty and staff.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The fellowship will include a range of activities from research, project management and implementation, peer networking, and field learning experiences. More specifically, activities of the Bailey Fellow will be characterized by:
- Cutting edge research in conservation science.
- Developing new skills and knowledge through training and mentorship in conservation science, policy and/or management.
- Helping identify and implement innovative conservation solutions that lead to tangible, lasting, results for nature and people.
- Helping TNC build partnerships with academic institutions, agencies, businesses and other NGOs in support of conservation science.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Perform fieldwork including ecosystem assessment and field monitoring.
- Deliver tools, biodiversity data, field services and training to staff and partners.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's Degree in science related field and 1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience collecting, manipulating, analyzing and interpreting scientific data.
- Experience preparing reports of findings.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Recently completed a PhD pertaining to social and/or ecological science in resilient coastal systems. We are specifically interested in applicants whose graduate work and professional interest center around socioeconomic and ecosystem service valuation dimensions of conservation science.
- Multi-language skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Strong knowledge of computer technology and common software applications.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
AUTO SAFETY POLICY
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with the Conservancy's Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." Please see further details in the Auto Safety Program document available at www.nature.org/careers.
Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply visit https://careers.nature.org/ and search for position number 48244. Submit resume (required) and cover letter separately using the upload buttons. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on December 23, 2019.
Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.
If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.