Position: Terrestrial Ecology Lead
Reports to: Regional Director, Arctic Beringia
Position Managed: None (but will be main point of collaboration for contractors)
Location: Alaska
Country Program/Sector: United States – Arctic Beringia
Scope: Regional
Position Type: Full-Time
Job Summary:
The Arctic Beringia Program has built a strong foundation of species, habitat, and issue-based projects across the three country components of our region – Canada, Russia, and the United States. Our work is closely tied with food security needs, and often co-produced with Indigenous partners. Current focal areas include marine mammals and shipping, carnivore conservation, avian conservation, healthy coastal fisheries, wood bison reintroductions, and habitat restoration.
To increase our capacity on terrestrial conservation projects, we are looking for a terrestrial ecologist with a strong background working directly with Indigenous groups and local landowners and have experience in the science/management and/or science/policy interfaces. This person will work with the Regional Director and other WCS science staff to design and implement research efforts that support programmatic goals. While broad in scope, the position’s immediate work will focus on a) synthesis and modeling of bison ecology in the northern boreal regions of Canada and Alaska, and b) synthesis of peer-reviewed and grey literature concerning regional carnivores. The position will network with partners, support proposal development, and work with our program’s social scientists to share information with communities and other interested parties.
Major Responsibilities:
- Field Program (10%): The position is largely focused on synthesis and modelling of existing data; however, some ground truthing and field observations are envisioned.
- Scientific Writing and Communication (50%): The position will use key knowledge streams (peer-reviewed & grey literature, local expertise, and Indigenous Knowledge) to accomplish impact through development and publication of conservation-relevant materials (both peer-reviewed literature and popular media articles). The position will work with the Regional Director and Social Science & Co-Production Specialist to ensure that our program is utilizing information (both historical and current) most effectively in support of conservation and Indigenous Food Security and Food Sovereignty goals on a local level (Alaska) and regional level (Arctic Beringia/Northern Boreal). Part of this task will involve designing high quality editorial and/or graphic outputs about our program (rather than peer-reviewed science) that are customized for specific outlets and uses.
- Networking (10%): The position will build and maintain productive relationships with agency, research, community, and Indigenous partners that transcend any specific project. This necessitates a commitment to understanding and learning across cultures and jurisdictions when considering what goals we are striving for and how to accomplish them. Networking will also involve engaging with regional and thematic coalitions, both in Alaska/Canada and in the contiguous United States.
- Fundraising (30%): Assist in identifying grant opportunities, lead in developing strong proposals, and work with Regional Business Manager to draft budgets.
- PhD in natural science or environmental policy, with Interdisciplinary experience, and at least three years of applied experience in wildlife management.
- Proven expertise in habitat selection modeling, resource selection functions, and assessment of wildlife movement from tracking data.
- Proven ability to write multi-partner and interdisciplinary proposals.
- Proven ability to work in a co-productive space with Indigenous partners.
- Strong communication skills (both verbal and written) with examples of published work in the written and online media. Graphic design skills a strong benefit.
- Fluency in English (written and verbal) language.
Additional Requirements:
- Preferred residency in Fairbanks.
- Expected travel: 10% time potentially traveling for field activities, meetings, and training.
- Comfortable operating in a dynamic environment and responding quickly to sudden needs and opportunities.
- Self-Reliance in Remote Work Environments.
WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.
It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities.
Note that the salary offer will reflect the selected candidate’s individual experiences, skills and qualifications, internal equity, work location and country of work.
