About Us

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, our teams create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together.

This Position

The California Chapter is recruiting for a Lead Scientist who will have primary responsibility for developing the scientific framework needed to inform and advance innovative strategies to restore and conserve resilient forest ecosystems in California, with a focus in the Sierra Nevada. This role will be responsible for leading the forest science team to develop and iteratively evaluate the scientific basis of our conservation strategies, policy priorities, and related investments. This position will also serve as a lead expert on the role of wildfire in forest ecosystem dynamics, and serve as a resource on fire ecology in other systems around California. The Lead Scientist will provide technical support and science leadership to a multidisciplinary team working to advance applied science, place-based and policy-based conservation initiatives, while considering the complex nature of California’s socio-political context.

Watch our video on megafires “Let’s Stop Making History” to get a clearer picture on the scope of this work to protect our forests and people.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in forest science related field and 6 years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Record of peer reviewed publications in scientific journals on forest and wildfire issues.
• Working knowledge of California forest conservation issues, policies, and stakeholder context.
• Experience directing a major program of strategic importance and leading a multi-disciplinary team.
• Working knowledge of wildfire ecology in California across different habitat types, and the implications for land use and resource management.
• Experience with building relationships across public, private and NGO sectors.
• Experience fundraising and/or writing grants and research proposals.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in forest science field and 6-10 years experience, Ph.D. and 5-8 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work in team environments, mentor and coach direct reports, and a positive attitude to interdisciplinary research.
• Experience in collaborating with scientists and other conservation practitioners to complete assessments and develop focused conservation priorities.
• Expertise in relevant, current trends and practices in forest management, forest-related climate science, restoration forestry practices, and watershed protection in California.
• Demonstrated success at building a productive scientific enterprise around priority questions by cultivating professional relationships and convening collaborators and resources.
• Excellent analytical, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Expertise in relevant modeling platforms and statistical techniques.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current and evolving trends in one or more of the following areas: carbon accounting, landscape simulation modeling, wildfire regime changes, forest watershed dynamics, forest restoration techniques for ecological benefits,
• Peer-reviewed publication record related to forest ecology, wildfire, forest watershed hydrology, climate change impacts or related topics.