Spatial Prioritization Scientist, Global Science

Arlington, Virginia, USA

The work location for this position is flexible within locations where The Nature Conservancy has an established office. The headquarters of TNC is located in Arlington, Virginia.

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The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. 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. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there are lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube on Glassdoor.

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

TNC stewards a partnership with Microsoft to bring Marxan, the world’s leading spatial planning tool to Microsoft’s Planetary Computer. This cloud-hosted application will help scale Marxan’s reach to inform evidence-based decisions around the world for conservation, sustainable development and climate adaptation and mitigation.

The Spatial Prioritization Scientist provides technical and scientific support, training and capacity-building, and thought leadership as a subject matter resource on Marxan spatial planning and prioritization projects for TNC and the global Marxan community. The position will work with programs throughout the Conservancy, the Marxan Advisory Council and international project partners to integrate quantitative and qualitative knowledge of Marxan’s decision-support for ocean, land and freshwater conservation. This is an opportunity to work internationally with leading scientists and organizations at a critical time for biodiversity loss and climate change. The Spatial Prioritization Scientist is a member of the Global Science team and reports to the Managing Director of Marxan.

This is a two-year fixed position from start date. Extended funding may be possible.

Are you looking for work you can believe in? At TNC we strive to embody a philosophy of Work that You Can Believe in and where you can feel like you are making a difference every day. We’re looking for someone who can serve as a leader and subject matter resource for conservation initiatives. Communication, managing complex projects, and fundraising experiences are key in this role. Come join TNC and apply today!

The Spatial Prioritization Scientist supports the TNC-Microsoft Partnership by managing and scaling knowledge and applications of the new, state-of-the-art Marxan Planning Platform. They will play an important role in the dissemination of best practices in spatial prioritization, develop and lead training and capacity-building programs, and support analysis on thematic issues as appropriate.

They support, and in some cases lead knowledge and communication products for the partnership, and the timely development of peer reviewed publications. They will work to demonstrate and communicate how Marxan supports strategies for nature and people, and how spatial science informs decision-support for conservation and spatial action planning. This position will represent the Conservancy as a leader on multi- disciplinary/multi-partner project teams and build capacity for Marxan expertise around the world.

The Spatial Prioritization Scientist’s Responsibilities & Scope include:

• Supports and develops Marxan use-cases with project partners around the world for diverse planning contexts including area-based management, development by design, integrated land, freshwater and ocean planning, and nature-based solutions
• Provides training for internal and external colleagues, governments, and universities on the suite of Marxan softwares including Marxan with Zones & Marxan with Connectivity
• Maintains and administers the Marxan Planning Platform on Microsoft Azure and supporting products
• Reports and communicates on project impact to TNC and project partners
• Works in a complex matrix organization environment.
• Participate and/or lead application and function development
• Fosters internal and external collaborations including with TNC business units and universities.
• Interprets guidelines, evaluates information, and modifies processes to adapt to changing circumstances for the program.
• Maintains scientific credibility through peer reviewed publications, research, and communication.
• Self-motivated training so that skills remain current.
• Manages grants, contracts, or writes funding proposals.

The location for this role is flexible. Co-working facilities with a local TNC office are possible if the candidate lives nearby. No immigration or relocation assistance is available for this position.

The annual salary range for this position is $90,000 - $110,000 dependent on experience, location, and internal equity.

• Master's Degree in science related field or relevant discipline and 4 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Expert knowledge of the suite of Marxan tools and their applications
• Experience in teaching or training concepts of systematic conservation planning
• Experience formulating and executing spatial prioritization analyses
• Record of peer reviewed publications in scientific journals
• Experience working with python, SQL and database management
• Experience working across different cultures and with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience fundraising and/or writing grants and research proposals.
• Experience managing complex projects including the financial aspect and coordinating the work of peers and partners.
• Fluency in English, written and spoken.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• PhD in relevant discipline and 1-3 years of experience.
• Experience with training and capacity building in Marxan
• Experience facilitating spatial planning process in more than one of academia, non-profit, private and government settings.
• Experience and eagerness to work in a trans-disciplinary manner, showing collaborative approaches and valuing knowledge plurality (natural sciences, social sciences, Indigenous and local knowledge)
• Demonstrated ability to successfully develop and implement complex projects in an unstructured environment.
• Independent and self-motivated with the ability to participate effectively in a remote team environment.
• Professional network in conservation planning, decision science, and spatial prioritization.

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive and comprehensive benefits packages tailored to the individual countries where we work. These may include health care benefits, retirement benefits, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, and disability coverage as well as an employee assistance program and other life and well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work environment that is supportive of the health, well-being, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!

To apply for job ID 51959, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page 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.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

Where legally permissible, TNC requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated and willing to keep up to date with vaccines that protect against COVID-19. By accepting an offer of employment, you agree to comply with this requirement, unless you are entitled to a legally mandated exemption.