Spatial Ecologist

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas towards a future where birds thrive because Audubon is a powerful, diverse, and ever-growing force for conservation. Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the hemisphere and more than 1.5 million active supporters.

North America has lost three billion birds since 1970, and more than 500 bird species are at risk of extinction across Latin America and the Caribbean. Birds act as early warning systems about the health of our environment, and they tell us that birds – and our planet – are in crisis. Together as one Audubon, we are working to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss. We do this by implementing on-the-ground conservation, partnering with local communities, influencing public and corporate policy, and building community.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon brings new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Reporting to the Director of Spatial Conservation Planning, the Spatial Ecologist will be responsible for supporting Audubon’s science team with regional, national, and hemispheric bird conservation initiatives.

The Spatial Ecologist will conduct scientific analyses and apply knowledge and skills in data management, geoprocessing and spatial analysis, landscape ecology, climate science, ornithology, conservation biology, environmental and/or climate justice, and cartography to develop products such as reports or scientific publications. This role will assemble and prepare relevant datasets for analysis and generate spatial and quantitative data products. The Spatial Ecologist will also contribute to and/or lead the process of publishing Audubon science products including, but not limited to, datasets, peer-reviewed articles, and reports. This position participates in cross-functional teams, particularly with the conservation planning, climate, and quantitative science teams and across the broader Conservation Division within which science is located.

Compensation:

$60,000 - $70,000 / year

• Contribute to and develop scientific data products to support conservation planning projects across the western hemisphere.
• Lead and/or provide technical support including conducting and/or leading spatial data analysis, data management, grant writing and reporting, or data visualizations for projects across the other science team domains, such as migratory birds, metrics & monitoring, and climate.
• Communicate analytical results in automated data-driven dashboards and/or document briefs.
• Provide technical and user support, and database management for the Important Bird Areas program.
• Conduct literature reviews and write reports and scientific publications.
• Perform statistical and/or spatial analyses, as well as other data analyses as required, using various geoprocessing packages in R and/or Python and ArcGIS Pro.
• Acquire and process remotely-sensed data for use in spatial modeling projects.
• Facilitate internal and external sharing of science products.
• Use state-of-the-art spatial prioritization software and methods to codevelop conservation blueprints with Audubon staff and partners.
• Serve as project lead to oversee the project development and completion, under the management of the Director of Spatial Conservation Planning, including coordination, communication, task management and other aspects of project management.
• Conduct presentations, either virtually or in-person, for professional conferences, meetings, and internal and external working groups, such as other NGOs, Universities, and state and federal agencies.
• Build web applications to effectively communicate results to internal and external audiences.
• Help foster partnerships with scientists and staff in academic institutions, NGOs, state and
  federal agencies.
• Contribute to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging and other Audubon community initiatives through participating in the science team’s EDIB working group.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

• Master’s degree in conservation biology, environmental studies, ecology, biology, ornithology, spatial ecology, landscape ecology or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years professional GIS or applied science experience.
• Proficiency scripting statistical and spatial analyses in R and/or Python.
• Demonstrated cartographic (map design) experience.
• Proficiency in the use of ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS 10+; familiarity with ArcGIS Online strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
• Experience working with large databases, especially related to biodiversity (e.g., eBird) preferred.
• Extensive experience working with spatially explicit environmental data.
• Experience working with social science data, specifically at the intersection between people and nature and/or environmental justice a plus.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills that can be adapted to reach a wide range of individuals and used to build consensus. Ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Scientific writing/editing experience preferred.
• Self-motivated, excited to learn, and willing to tackle technical/conceptual challenges independently as well as in collaboration with team members.
• Must possess excellent judgment in scientific analysis and team cooperation, ability to work independently, and collaborate well with team members across a decentralized organization.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to collaborate with partners, and manage teams and projects effectively.
• Experience overseeing multiple projects through to completion, including meeting project deadlines, conducting required reporting and tracking, and coordinating the work of key staff and partners.
• Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to and experience in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Familiarity with ornithology, especially birds of the Americas.
• Interest in working to promote bird conservation across the US and Americas, and passion for the mission of the National Audubon Society.

This position is represented by the Communication Workers of America (CWA).

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

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