The Conservation Science Associate will assist in the development and implementation of conservation, research, and monitoring strategies for Audubon’s Upper Mississippi River (UMR) Program and the Audubon Center at Riverlands (ACR). Reporting to the Director of Conservation for Audubon Minnesota & Upper Mississippi River, the Conservation Science Associate will work in close collaboration with the Executive Director of ACR, and Audubon’s national science team to manage the traditional and community science activities supporting Audubon’s local and regional conservation priorities throughout the Upper Mississippi River landscape.
The Conservation Science Associate will coordinate the monitoring and applied research supporting Audubon’s regional and local on-the-ground conservation projects, working with external partners including non-governmental organizations, research and educational institutions, and local, state, and federal agencies. The Conservation Science Associate will play a significant role in coordinating and communicating our work with over 40 Audubon chapters and engaging them in its execution. S/he will work closely with teams from Audubon Great Lakes and Audubon Minnesota.
- Support the Director of Conservation in conservation planning projects, including coordinating with partners, collecting and analyzing data, preparing meeting materials, and setting agendas.
- Build consensus among UMR partners for conservation policies and actions that result in landscape scale conservation results for birds, other wildlife, and their habitats.
- Coordinate the planning and implementation of science initiatives that support the Upper Mississippi River Program and other regional and local priorities. This includes the management of contracts, the direction of contractors, staff, and volunteers, coordination and communication with key agencies and partners, and reporting results to funders and partners.
- Supervise program interns, contractors, and volunteers contributing to conservation, monitoring, and community science programs.
- Design surveys, oversee data collection and maintenance, analyze data, and draft reports for priority initiatives.
- Provide technical expertise related to birds and habitat to internal and external audiences and partners.
- Actively represent UMR on key partnership committees related to bird conservation in the region, with an emphasis on urban conservation, the Upper Mississippi River, marshes, and grasslands.
- Assist UMR colleagues and others representing National Audubon in articulating and presenting science-based policy positions related to key conservation challenges and goals within the Upper Mississippi region.
- Work with the UMR team to meet and discuss funding opportunities with potential donors, corporations and foundations, and state and federal grant programs that support conservation priorities.
- Experience with management and analysis of wildlife population data, community science programs, and data driven conservation and habitat management.
- Proven record in project management including managing grant timelines and deliverables, completing reports, and facilitating contracts.
- Deep knowledge of the current conservation and policy issues throughout the Upper Mississippi River region.
- Excellent leadership and collaborative ethics.
- Exceptional public speaking, public presentation, and writing skills and ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Self-motivated and willing to work in a flexible, non-structured environment with minimal supervision.
- Ability and willingness to travel locally and out-of-state and be comfortable working evenings and weekends as job demands.
- Valid driver's license is necessary.
- Ability to work outdoors, in all weather conditions and on varying terrain, with or without accommodation; must be able to move field equipment at times, with or without accommodation.
- Comfort working with and handling live or dead specimens (banding/tagging, specimen collection, etc.).
- Must be able to hike, lift, bend, reach and twist as necessary. Must be able to transport at least 35 pounds and do manual labor tasks as required.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data analysis software; experience in GIS is desirable.