The Wilderness Society (TWS), a national non-profit organization whose mission is to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places, is seeking an experienced full-time Lead Ecologist to join its Conservation team in Anchorage, AK. Reporting to the Senior Science Director, the Lead Ecologist is an integral member of the Alaska Conservation Team and leads the Alaska Ecology Team, which includes a Watershed Ecologist and a Wildlife Ecologist. This position will be responsible for working with the team to identify and conduct priority ecological research and review environmental impact assessments necessary to advance conservation campaign outcomes for Alaska’s Arctic. The Lead Ecologist regularly collaborates with other TWS scientists outside of Alaska. Work is done in collaboration with federal, state, tribal, NGO, and university scientists and managers and requires close coordination with Alaska’s State Director and TWS’ interdisciplinary Alaska team, comprised of policy and communications experts.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES • Evaluates scientific information in land management plans, Environmental Impact Statements, as well as national plans and policies; communicates evaluation results in written and oral comments; works with federal agencies to improve analyses of impacts of industrial development on ecosystems. • Designs and conducts spatial analyses of industrial development scenarios and evaluates potential impacts on wildlife and communities in Arctic Alaska. • Works as part of highly integrated Alaska conservation team to use science to advance campaign outcomes and conservation priorities. • Uses biological and climate information to identify ecologically significant areas. Prioritizes, designs, and conducts research based on ecological significance, conservation objectives & opportunities and organizational & partner capacities. • In coordination with The Wilderness Society’s Alaska Director, leads all aspects of the Alaska ecology program development and management, including drafting funding proposals, developing and managing budgets, and hiring and supervising scientific staff. • Shares scientific expertise with advisory groups, including Arctic conservation coalitions, the Western Arctic Caribou Herd Working Group, the North Slope Science Initiative, and other resource/land management advisory groups. • Synthesizes scientific results in ways that are appropriate for sharing with diverse audiences, including conservation partners, native Alaskans, members of the public and government audiences. • Promotes diversity in ecology through participating in education and mentoring opportunities. • Performs other related duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS Experience, Competencies, and Education • PhD required with 2 or more years of experience in an applied scientific field of work, such as conservation biology, terrestrial ecology, landscape ecology or wildlife ecology. • Demonstrated proficiency with spatial analytical techniques that can help identify conservation priorities and guide energy development • Demonstrated desire and proficiency to prepare reports, white papers and manuscripts for peer-review in a timely manner and to make presentations in front of public and professional audiences. • Well-organized with strong attention to detail, able to work independently and as part of a team. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Desired Characteristics • Interest in public land management and climate change issues and experience with, or desire to learn about, Alaskan ecosystems. • Strong commitment to The Wilderness Society’s mission and to the protection of America’s Arctic wildlands. • Willingness and ability to travel, including to remote areas within Alaska. The Wilderness Society offers a very competitive salary and benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; sick and vacation leave; and a pension plan. TWS is an equal opportunity employer and actively works to ensure fair and equal treatment of its employees and constituents regardless of culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical ability, veteran status or sexual orientation. Contact Information: Contact Science Director Greg Aplet (greg_aplet at tws.org) or current Lead Ecologist Wendy Loya (wendy_loya at tws.org) with questions. For consideration, please submit cover letter and CV (as one attachment) to: https://home.eease.adp.com/recruit/?id=10195141 - See more at: http://www.conbio.org/professional-development/scb-job-board/lead-ecologist#sthash.guzzYb6K.dpuf
