Social Scientist

Social Scientist at Point Blue Conservation Science

Location: Petaluma, CA (Hybrid)

Duration: 2-year term with possibility of extension

Deadline to Apply: Open until filled

Position Type: Full Time Exempt

Compensation and Benefits:  Salary is based on qualifications and internal equity. Estimated salary range for this position is $77,000 to $95,000 annually. Point Blue provides a comprehensive benefit package including employer paid medical and dental for staff and 75% for dependents. Other benefits include life insurance, long-term care, long- and short-term disability, flexible spending accounts, and retirement plans as well as time off benefits. 

About Point Blue:

Point Blue Conservation Science is a growing and internationally renowned non-profit with over 160 staff and scientists based in Petaluma, California. Founded in 1965 as Point Reyes Bird Observatory, our mission and programs have evolved over time to include a broad range of conservation activity, from restoration to environmental education to innovative work in the field of regenerative agriculture.  We have a proven track record of scientific excellence.

We recognize that increasing racial, gender, cultural, and other diversity, equity, and inclusion factors at Point Blue and in our partnerships is essential for the success of our mission, vision, and strategy. We are actively engaging in a process to create lasting organizational change. We seek applicants from all backgrounds to join our teams. We strongly encourage applications from people with backgrounds that are under-represented in the conservation community.

Job Summary:

The Social Scientist will design and perform research studying the value of restoration and conservation action to advancing equity, biodiversity support, and economic resilience on human-dominated landscapes. This position will lead and coordinate research efforts that will help identify evidence-based recommendations to reduce barriers to access and participation in conservation efforts and programs and will help demonstrate the value of directing public funds to community-centered action and conservation projects to benefit California communities and wildlife. This position will initiate as a 2-year term position supporting the science goals and objectives of the Roots Program, a $26M statewide restoration program funded by the California Wildlife Conservation Board, and Bird Returns, a $15M Central Valley incentive program run by the Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership (Point Blue, The Nature Conservancy, and Audubon California) and funded by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The position is open to extension beyond the two-year term dependent on available funding and has opportunities to develop collaborations with programs and projects across any program area within Point Blue commensurate with interest and available funding.

Essential Functions:

Research: 70%

• Plans and designs a social scientific research framework that will contribute to meeting the interdisciplinary science goals of the Roots Program and Bird Returns over the next 2 years (and potentially, beyond)
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams of Point Blue staff and partners to identify guiding research questions, plan and design projects, and conduct research.
• Manages priority social science research projects, including coordinating implementation of tasks, leading the collection and rigorous analysis of social science data, and writing and reporting on results.
• May manage and participate in the development of project budgets; develop scopes of work and contracts; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Creates and maintains relationships with community partners such as ranchers, farmers, school representatives, NGOs, agency representatives, and tribal communities to conduct research via surveys, interviews, or other preferred research modalities.
• Travels statewide to conduct surveys and/or attend meetings in person as appropriate.
• Creates and maintains relationships with colleagues, Roots and Bird Returns applicants, field teams, and partners to conduct and coordinate research activities.
• Leads and collaborates in writing peer-reviewed publications, grant proposals, technical reports, and funder reports detailing the background, development, execution, results, and conclusions of studies.
• Presents research findings at scientific conferences and to colleagues, partners, and other Point Blue Staff.
• Coordinates additional experts and consultants to collaborate on the project as needed.
• Provides social science expertise and perspective to ensure relevance and significance of research projects, educate colleagues and partners on key social science principles, and facilitate interdisciplinary work.
• Follows emerging social science research and current events to inform further directions of study.
• Maintains connections and relationships within the social scientific academic research community.

Scientific Leadership: 20%

• Engages in collaborative science, research, conservation planning, and strategic planning internally and with external partners/partnerships, including a strategy for future research at Point Blue that includes objectives for social science and policy.
• Represents Point Blue at meetings and conferences relevant to the research conducted, including developing and delivering presentations communicating Point Blue scientific findings and recommendations.
• Identifies potential collaborators and engages with other groups within the organization to help move paths of social inquiry forward.
• Leads and collaborates in the development of project proposals for funding to achieve strategic goals.
• Represents Point Blue projects and communicates results to funders, the public, partners, other scientists, and policy decision makers to support conservation, including through white papers, public articles, public presentations and workshops.
• Represents Point Blue, the Roots Program, and Bird Returns within relevant external working groups as needed.

Other Duties as Assigned: 10%

• Perform special projects and research as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Prepares grant proposals in collaboration with partners and other Point Blue staff.

Supervisory Responsibility:

None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the study of human behavior and the mental, social, and biological processes that result from it.
• Demonstrated experience of research design and expertise of preferred research modalities such as surveys, interviews, ethnographic research, etc.
• Knowledge of scientific research methods and techniques involving the social sciences and their application.
• Knowledge of field data collection practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of scientific technical writing and analysis.
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods and the ability to exercise initiative and judgment.
• Ability to build relationships with community partners such as farmers/ranchers to conduct research.
• Ability to work with human study participants.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated success in clearly and concisely translating science to diverse audiences via public speaking and written materials.
• Ability and desire to work with a diverse group of people including state, federal, tribal, and non-government resource professionals, working lands producers, and the general public.
• Skills operating Microsoft Office programs including spreadsheet, word processing, presentation, and email programs.
• Ability to work in the field when needed and to build rapport with the field teams.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence and integrity in all aspects of work.

Certifications and/or Licenses:

• Valid California driver’s license and favorable driving history, and proof of auto insurance.

Preferred Education and Experience:

This position requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to a Master’s degree in Sociology, Economics, Anthropology, or related field; and 2 years of experience performing and publishing research.

 Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• This position operates in a hybrid environment between a home office and professional office setting. This position may also work from remote field locations with uneven terrain, limited vehicle access, limited cell phone reception, and sometimes in a solitary capacity.
• Work environment is primarily indoors with majority of time spent at a desk.
• Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, and filing cabinets.
• Ability to move up to 20 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to use a computer, keyboard, and calculator.
• May require the ability to operate an all-terrain vehicle, motor vehicle, boat, or aircraft and to travel to different sites and locations.

Position Type, Expected Hours of Work, and Travel:

• This is a full-time position.
• Days and hours of work are generally Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm.
• Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
• Some travel is expected for occasional site visits.
• May require the ability to travel overnight up to one week per month.
• Remote/hybrid employees should choose a work environment that is free from distractions, has a reliable internet connection, and supports the employee’s ability to dedicate their full attention to their job duties during work hours.

Point Blue is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, disability status of an otherwise qualified individual, membership or application for membership in an uniformed service, or membership in any other class protected by applicable law and will make reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities to complete the application and/or participate in the interview process.