Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive.
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We are proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellness, and flexibility needs of the people we employ. We provide a comprehensive medical/vision/dental insurance for family including domestic partners, 401k matching, FSA and HSA, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
YOUR POSITION WITH TNC
The Applied Scientist II (ICR) provides technical and scientific support and leadership for the Colorado River Program’s (CRP) conservation initiatives in Conservation by Design (CbD) and measures of conservation success (MOS).
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The CRP Freshwater Scientist will play a role in shaping water management strategies that help better meet the water needs of native species and habitats across the Colorado River Basin by conducting technical analysis and planning activities necessary to advance on-the-ground flow restoration and water infrastructure projects; providing water- and species-related technical input to the CRP team, TNC business unit partners, fundraising efforts, and multi-stakeholder coalitions; and guiding CRP’s conservation planning and measures work. They will classify conservation targets and assess data to prioritize watersheds/basins for conservation as well as provide technical input to assist the CRP in prioritizing conservation interventions. They conduct scientific surveys and research, records data, writes reports and develops proposals in order to support, inform, and prioritize CRP’s conservation actions. They provide technical input into CRP’s policy engagements on freshwater issues and brings agency and academic relationships to bear to advance conservation efforts in partnership with the CRP team and multi-stakeholder coalitions.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Identify, evaluate, prioritize, and help design on-the-ground projects that will improve river health and function, demonstrate replicable solutions, and/or leverage change at the river basin and/or system scale.
- Work throughout the Colorado River Basin in collaboration with CRP’s business unit partners, NGO partners, and funders.
- Develop river restoration projects, agricultural irrigation infrastructure improvements, and flow restoration efforts – and analyze and measure their ecological impacts.
- Programmatic scope requires extensive cross-boundary work and relationships.
- Manage hydrology modeling projects to inform conservation strategies and actions.
- Build and participate in strategic partnerships and collaborations with partners such as academics, agencies, water districts and NGOs.
- Effectively communicate our conservation goals and the science supporting our work.
- Inform and review policies that support integrated water management to benefit nature.
- Work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams in a complex matrix organization environment.
- Provide fieldwork and logistical support for research, project development and monitoring.
- Design and implement experiments relative to program area.
- Responsible for partnering with philanthropy and grant administration staff to pursue public and private funds to meet program needs.
- Build cooperation with outside parties to accomplish program goals.
- Frequently makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
- May lead staff, interns or volunteers on a project basis.
- May manage a grant, contract or request for proposal.
- Must be willing to travel within the Colorado River Basin, work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.