[PCA] JOB: Director of Species Program at NatureServe (Arlington, VA)
Olivia Kwong
plant at plantconservation.org
Thu Jan 11 09:33:17 CST 2007
http://www.natureserve.org/job/jobNSspeciesprogram.jsp
NatureServe
JOB TITLE: Director, Species Program
EMPLOYER: NatureServe
SUPERVISOR: Vice President and Chief Scientist
LOCATION: Arlington, Virginia
DATE POSTED: November 2006
CLOSING DATE: Open until filled
INSTITUTIONAL BACKGROUND:
NatureServe is a non-profit conservation organization that provides the
scientific information and tools needed to help guide effective
conservation action. NatureServe and its network of natural heritage
programs are the leading source for information about rare and endangered
species and threatened ecosystems. NatureServe represents an international
network of biological inventories-known as natural heritage programs or
conservation data centers-operating in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Latin
America and the Caribbean. Together we collect and manage detailed local
information on plants, animals, and ecosystems, and develop information
products, data management tools, and conservation services to help meet
important conservation needs. The objective scientific information about
species and ecosystems developed by NatureServe is used by all sectors of
society, including conservation groups, government agencies, corporations,
academia, and the public, to make informed decisions about managing our
natural resources. NatureServe is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia,
with regional offices in Boston, Minneapolis, Durham, Boulder, and Ottawa,
Ontario. NatureServe offers a results-oriented and collaborative workplace
where a common mission provides focus and excitement and where staff is
empowered to take ownership of projects and mission success.
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The Director, Species Program provides leadership in the strategic growth
of NatureServe's botanical and zoological databases and in the development
of scientific methods, analyses, and information products designed to
promote the lasting conservation of plant and animal species. This
position will guide and support efforts to understand and document the
status, distribution, and conservation requirements of plant and animal
species, and will develop innovative approaches to meet the species-level
information needs of conservation and natural resource managers. The
Director, Species Program works to ensure the quality and consistency of
NatureServe species data by fostering collaboration between NatureServe
and biologists across the network of natural heritage programs and
conservation data centers, and by providing leadership and guidance in the
development, management, analysis, and sharing of species information.
This position works together with partners in government agencies,
academic institutions, and other conservation organizations to develop and
maintain high quality scientific data, and has responsibility for public
and private fundraising in support of NatureServe's species databases and
related work. The Director, Species Program supervises a department of
approximately 10 scientific staff.
DUTIES:
Provide leadership in the strategic development of NatureServe' s
zoological and botanical databases, as well as information products and
conservation services based on these data. Carry out projects designed to
maintain and advance the organization's species data holdings including
taxonomy, conservation status, threats, distribution, population viability
and mapping.
Working in collaboration with biologists across the NatureServe network
and partner organizations, take a leadership role in advancing standards,
methods, and analytical tools used to document and understand the
condition and location of biodiversity, including approaches to mapping
species populations and to modeling predicted distributions under current
and future ecological and climate scenarios.
Represent NatureServe at selected conferences and meetings and serve as a
liaison with key national and international organizations, federal
agencies, professional societies, and academic institutions, such as the
IUCN Red List Partnership, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility,
and the Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Identify information
needs of key partners and clients and develop and implement projects and
initiatives designed to better meet those needs.
Provide scientific support and technical assistance in the development and
implementation of conservation service-oriented and technology development
initiatives and projects being carried out by NatureServe. Collaborate
with NatureServe's ecological science staff to develop approaches for more
effectively integrating species and ecological data in the design and
implementation of biodiversity databases, habitat mapping efforts, and
conservation assessment and planning projects.
Improve the quality and coverage of species data across the NatureServe
network by identifying key data gaps and promoting work designed to fill
these gaps; by identifying emerging issues and analytical approaches that
NatureServe and its network should be addressing; by supporting efforts to
harmonize and share species data across the network and beyond; and by
contributing to training opportunities designed to promote consistent
application of methods and approaches across the network.
Raise public and private funds to support NatureServe's botanical and
zoological activities.
Manage the Species Science department, which includes: responsibility for
the oversight and management of the program's finances and contracts;
recruit, hire, train, and manage performance of staff scientists, and
directly supervise key staff; work with the Chief Scientist to develop
annual budgets and set annual goals and coordinate work assignments; and
promote communication and coordination with staff of other departments and
divisions.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Ph.D. in zoology, botany, or conservation biology strongly preferred. More
than seven years work experience in applying the concepts of conservation
biology and related fields to conservation decision-making and natural
resources management.
Proven experience in program development, project management, and staff
supervision. 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.
Proven experience in obtaining financial resources to support projects;
experience in raising funds from private donors as well as government
sources desirable.
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. Proven ability to negotiate
contracts and cooperative agreements.
Experience in supervising and managing staff. Skilled in motivating
individuals and project team members with the ability to create strong
morale and team spirit. Ability to work independently and responsibly,
particularly in representing NatureServe and in managing resources and
obligations.
Excellent speaking and writing ability required, especially the ability to
write cogently on complex technical matters.
Knowledge of, and experience with, the Natural Heritage inventory methods
and data systems desirable.
Commitment to the conservation of natural diversity and a genuine desire
to make a lasting impact.
Fluency in Spanish or other foreign languages desirable.
Willingness to travel, sometimes on short notice and over weekends.
CONTACT
Send resume and cover letter to:
Attn: Job#DSP06
NatureServe
1101 Wilson Blvd., 15th Floor
Arlington, VA 22209
FAX: 703-908-1917
E-mail: jobs at natureserve.org
(Please refer to Job#DSP06 in subject line)
*Please indicate how you found out about this position.
NATURESERVE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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