Chief Scientist (Remote)

ABOUT NATURESERVE    

For nearly 50 years, NatureServe has been the authoritative
source for biodiversity data throughout North America. With an
international network of more than 60 natural heritage programs
across the United States and Canada (“the Network”), NatureServe is
the leading source of information on rare and endangered species
and threatened ecosystems. To protect threatened biodiversity,
NatureServe works with over 1,000 conservation scientists to
collect, aggregate, and standardize biodiversity information,
providing comprehensive data to the public for strategic
conservation efforts. NatureServe and the Network develop and
manage data for over 100,000 species and ecosystems, answering
fundamental questions about what exists, where it is found, and how
it is doing.   

NatureServe offers employees a comprehensive benefits package.
To explore the benefits visit: https://www.natureserve.org/careers  

DESCRIPTION 

NatureServe seeks a highly collaborative individual with a
commitment to conservation and a desire to shape the future of
NatureServe and biodiversity conservation in the United States and
Canada, and beyond. The incumbent will be part of NatureServe’s
leadership team as Chief Scientist. The person who assumes this
role will provide strategic scientific leadership, represent
NatureServe to scientific and philanthropic audiences, and generate
significant revenue for NatureServe’s conservation science
program.  

NatureServe’s current strategic plan runs from 2022-2026. During
this timeframe, NatureServe is building on decades of success with
earned revenue to achieve a balanced model of financial
sustainability that also generates significant philanthropic
fundraising. The Chief Scientist will work closely with
NatureServe’s Vice President for Data and Methods, as well as the
Vice President for Technology and Partnerships, Executive Vice
President for Programs, and Chief Advancement Officer to execute
this plan.  

NatureServe has a team of more than thirty applied scientists
who collaborate to provide foundational information on North
American biodiversity (including species and ecosystems) to guide
conservation action. NatureServe scientists conduct endangered
species assessments, develop predictive habitat models, classify
and map ecosystems, conduct ecological integrity and climate change
assessments, and synthesize information to develop biodiversity
indicators, and identify conservation priorities. This also
includes upscaling these approaches and techniques to conservation
partners outside of North America and through NatureServe’s
membership in global partnerships (e.g., Red List Partnership,
NatureServe’s Biodiversity Indicators Program,
etc.).  

Along with the VP for Data and Methods, the Chief Scientist is
responsible for guiding the strategic development and growth of a
range of existing science programs, projects, and partnerships.
They will work with other science leaders, our CEO, and our
philanthropy team to bring in funding to support work in these
areas while advancing NatureServe’s strategic goals. The Chief
Scientist will oversee select funded projects in their area of
expertise to ensure the scientific integrity of the work and
cultivate relationships with funders. They are directly responsible
for the oversight of our botany, zoology, and ecology teams;
NatureServe’s Chief Zoologist, Chief Botanist, and Chief Ecologist
will be direct reports. 

The Chief Scientist also leads NatureServe in developing novel
applications of NatureServe data to meet conservation needs. The
incumbent will provide leadership to advance one or more emerging
portfolios of interest, potentially including the use of Artificial
Intelligence to advance biodiversity informatics including for
conservation status assessment, corporate biodiversity impact
reporting and accounting, biodiversity trend detection, climate
change and distributions of species and ecosystems, and/or
integration of remotely sensed and in situ information for
conservation assessment and planning. 

The incumbent will provide collaborative scientific leadership
to the NatureServe Network, broker scientific partnerships, and
represent NatureServe’s science to government, academic, donor, and
public audiences. 

This is a high profile position. The incumbent will represent a
respected network of over 1,000 scientists and data managers
working across North America and will directly influence the
conservation of biodiversity at a continental scale. 

LOCATION:  

Remote, with Washington, D.C. Metro Area preferred. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Lead implementation of the Conservation Science pillar of
  NatureServe’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. With the Vice President for
  Data and Methods, guide the strategic development of data, methods,
  tools, and integrated information products that result in
  significant enduring benefits in the conservation of biological and
  ecological diversity. 

• Engage scientists throughout the NatureServe Network in the
  ongoing development, documentation and deployment of scientific
  protocols that support the collection and analysis of consistent
  biodiversity data across the Network. 

• Lead a business development portfolio, support other NatureServe
  scientists in their business development pursuits, and partner with
  philanthropy on fundraising for conservation science
  activities.  

• Work closely with technical leads, project managers, and others
  to develop work plans, ensure sound scientific approaches, and
  ensure timelines are met within budget targets. 

• Leverage funded projects to deepen current relationships and
  cultivate new ones.  

• Attend conferences and meetings to raise awareness of
  NatureServe’s work and build relationships with
  partners.  

• Publish methods, results, and other research that advance
  effective conservation action, including through peer-reviewed
  venues and as whitepapers.  

• Contribute to a range of external relations and fundraising
  campaigns.  

• In partnership with the VP for Data and Methods and EVP for
  Programs, support the operational management of science by
  participating in the organizational budgeting process, contributing
  to meetings on science staffing strategies and workload allocation,
  and monitoring department discretionary spending.  

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: 

• Ph.D. in biology, ecology or related discipline, with special
  emphasis in one or more areas of science relevant to NatureServe’s
  mission.  

• Proven success in business development and fundraising for
  scientific programs, with an emphasis on conservation
  results.  

• More than five years work experience required in conservation
  biology and related fields to conservation decision-making and
  natural resources management. 

• Experience in program development and leadership, priority
  setting, and the management of finances, people, and workloads of a
  large programs with numerous contracts and
  deliverables.  

• Personal and professional credibility in the conservation
  science community. 

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Understanding of NatureServe’s mission and demonstrated
  commitment to conservation. 

• Proven strategic thinker who can identify opportunities, set
  priorities, evaluate the financial and strategic implications of
  decisions, and motivate and support teams. 

• Ability to thrive in environments of uncertainty and lean in to
  high-risk/high-reward activities.  

• Commitment to working closely and productively with colleagues
  and direct reports in a matrixed organization. 

• Extremely well organized, and able to orchestrate multiple
  activities to accomplish set goals in a fast-paced
  environment.  

• Excellent skills in partnership development. 

• Superb written and verbal communication skills. 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Experience with philanthropic fundraising and knowledge of
  foundations with biodiversity conservation goals.  

• Experience with federal natural resource agencies including DOI
  and USDA. 

• A professional network of colleagues that includes both domestic
  and international relationships.  

• Candidates with experience working within, or in partnership
  with, NatureServe or one of its member programs will be
  preferred. 

• Knowledge of corporate interests in U.S. and Canadian
  biodiversity conservation and track record of successful corporate
  partnerships. 

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to travel independently and attend conferences and
  meetings up to 20% time. 

• Ability to speak clearly and hear well, to participate
  effectively in telecommunications with network members and
  partners. 

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in
the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an
employment Visa at this time.  

NatureServe is an equal employment opportunity employer and
does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of
race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, citizenship
status, disability status, genetic information, sexual orientation,
or gender identity or expression of an otherwise qualified
individual, or membership in any other class protected by
applicable law.