Point Conception Institute Director

Company: California Environmental Associates
Location: Lompoc
Posted on: February 25, 2021

Job Description:

The Nature Conservancy - Point Conception Institute Job Type: Full Time About the Organization Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter. Point Conception Institute The Nature Conservancy is launching the Point Conception Institute, which will be focused on advancing environmental science and conservation management through the use of GIS, technology applications, open data and collaboration. This institute will take advantage of the coastal and marine environments associated with the breathtaking Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve in California, and leverage leading technologies and cross-disciplinary collaboration to create multi-scale digital abstractions of these natural landscapes and seascapes. The institute will help promote, organize, and coordinate numerous scientific collaborations taking place on the Preserve with the aim of accelerating learning and enhancing conservation effectiveness. While global protected areas only cover about 15% of land on Earth, they can be engines of knowledge generation that help us understand a world in flux and confront the global crises of climate change, environmental degradation, and extinction. Most protected areas have not prioritized investments in collaborative research and innovative commercial technologies to the science performed on site. Using the Dangermond Preserve as a 24,364-acre laboratory, the Point Conception Institute will facilitate basic and applied research as well as practical applications of technology that will inform and improve adaptive conservation management in an era of unprecedented global change. About the Role The Point Conception Institute Director is the first employee of this Institute and will work closely with an Advisory Board of key supporters and partner institutions to execute on the vision and direction of the Institute. About You Builds Relationships Builds productive relationships by interacting with others in ways that enhance mutual trust and commitment. Works collaboratively with stakeholders across levels, geographies, backgrounds, and cultures to improve decisions, strengthen commitment, and be more effective. Communicates Authentically Communicates proactively and in a timely manner to share information, persuade, and influence with the appropriate level of detail, tone, and opportunities for feedback. Develops Others Takes ownership to help develop others' skills, behaviors, and mindsets to help them maximize their workplace contributions. Drives for Results Sets challenging goals and objectives based on a strong sense of purpose and high-performance standards and steadfastly pushes self and others for tangible results, while ensuring work-life balance. Leverages Difference Demonstrates commitment to harnessing the power of differences strategically; consistently sees, learns from, and takes strategic action related to difference; and demonstrates the self-awareness and behaviors to work across differences of identity and power respectfully and effectively with all stakeholder. Actively seeks to build and retain a diverse workforce and fosters an equitable inclusive workplace by drawing upon diverse perspectives. Thinks and acts from a broad perspective with a long-term view and an understanding of 1) the dynamic nature of large-scale challenges and 2) the need for integrating five key practices: skillfully engaging appropriate people; providing a clear process for change; taking a holistic view of situations; focusing on a small number of strategic actions, while learning from and adapting them over time; and being aware of how one's own thinking or patterns of behavior may be limiting change. Responsibilities The Director will facilitate and empower research initiatives that leverage technology and data, inspiring a community of like-minded scientists and conservation practitioners to participate in collaborative research and contribute to open data. The Director is also the business lead of this new Institute, responsible for launching and developing it into a sustainable operating model. This will involve extensive stakeholder management across an array of funders, technologists, academics and partner organizations. The Director will supervise a core PCI team and will work with matrixed colleagues at The Nature Conservancy and with partners.

• Responsible for leading a new venture, the Point Conception Institute, advancing its vision by developing and executing on ambitious strategic and business plans.--
• Provide strategic direction for the Institute by integrating the input and advice of an Advisory Board, TNC leadership, and other key internal and external stakeholders
• Facilitate productive and high impact research collaborations at the intersection of adaptive management, environmental change, and the application of innovative technology--
• Manage staff and lead multi-disciplinary teams
• Collaborate with a wide range of partners to identify research opportunities that leverage a dense sensor network and associated multi-realm ecosystem models at the Preserve (a digital twin)
• Manage relationships with key funders and stakeholders, technologists, and collaborating research institutions
• Serve as an external spokesperson, including in efforts to amplify the reach and impact of the Institute through public forums, media and symposia
• Must work in variable weather conditions, at the Dangermond Preserve, a remote site in Lompoc, California, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances. Minimum Qualifications
  • Master's Degree in science related field and 6 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Supervisory experience.
  • Strong background in applying practical technology and data science to conservation.
  • Record of peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals.
  • Experience directing a major program of strategic importance and working with a multi-disciplinary team.
  • Experience in relationship building with peers, partners, government agencies, land owners, academic community, etc.
  • Experience fundraising and/or writing grants and research proposals.
  • Excellent communication, facilitation and presentation skills, with sufficient fluency in ecological research and technology to lead discussions with experts and lay audiences.
  • Ability to diagnose complex problems and identify solutions.--
  • Ability to manage a budget to ensure sound financial performance.-- Desired Qualifications
    • Multi-language skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
    • Ph.D. and 10 years' experience in the application of scientific research and data science to conservation practice, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
    • Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing multi-disciplinary, collaborative, peer-reviewed research that adheres to the practice of open data publication.
    • Strong knowledge of California conservation issues and land management in terrestrial and coastal ecosystems.
    • Strong knowledge of relevant software applications.
    • Experience launching a new venture and taking it scale. Compensation and Location The preferred location is Santa Barbara County. To Apply CEA Recruiting is assisting TNC with this search. To be considered for this position, interested candidates should click the Apply button below to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements through TNC's job portal. Please direct all inquiries to CEA Recruiting . This position will remain open until filled. The Nature Conservancy is a "big tent" organization. We believe that all people benefit from conservation and that the cause should be inclusive of everyone regardless of their political persuasion. We work hard to make conservation a non-partisan issue through partnerships with stakeholders, elected officials, and industries that span the political spectrum. The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. CLASP serves at the epicenter of collaborative, ambitious efforts to mitigate climate change and in the global movement for clean energy access, ... see more Golden Gate Audubon Society's (GGAS) mission is to engage people to experience the wonder of birds and to translate that wonder into actions ... see more CLASP's mission is to improve the environmental and energy performance of the appliances and related systems we use every day, lessening their ... see more CEA Consulting
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Keywords: California Environmental Associates, Lompoc , Point Conception Institute Director, Executive , Lompoc, California