NatureServe seeks a highly collaborative, efficient, and effective scientist with project management experience to manage a variety of conservation science projects and coordinate with colleagues and partners to ensure data and product quality meet NatureServe’s high standards.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Science Project Manager and Data Quality Coordinator plays a key role in NatureServe’s Science Division.  In their role as Science Project Manager, they manage a portfolio of major grants and contracts that help our partners from federal, state, and provincial governments, industry, and nongovernmental organizations apply NatureServe’s data, analyses, and scientific expertise to support their conservation and resource management activities.  They manage and help develop all aspects of projects to deliver the highest quality products on time and within budget. They manage client relationships to identify business opportunities and to ensure that project deliverables meet client needs and have high conservation impact.  They also work with and coach NatureServe staff to identify and apply best project management practices and software to effectively manage our projects.  In their role as Data Quality Coordinator, they work with NatureServe and NatureServe Network staff to assess and document the quality of NatureServe Network data and coordinate efforts to improve it.

DUTIES:
  • Manage all administrative and technical tasks required to complete project deliverables within project timelines and budgets, including coordinating and effectively communicating with client technical leads and contracting officers, collaborating with NatureServe and NatureServe Network staff and partners, managing contracts, subcontracts, and budgets, developing project work plans, leading project meetings, tracking and reporting project status, and writing technical and administrative project reports.
  • Analyze and visualize NatureServe’s biodiversity data and other data sets, as required for project deliverables.
  • Coordinate regular assessments of NatureServe Network data quality, accuracy and completeness, and work with NatureServe staff and NatureServe member programs to develop and implement solutions and conduct trainings to ensure that NatureServe and Network programs are positioned to meet benchmark data quality standards.
  • In coordination with NatureServe’s Project Management team, develop and implement recommendations for improving project management procedures and encourage adoption of organization-wide project management software systems, with a specific focus on coaching other project managers and establishing uniform use within the Science Division.
  • Coordinate with NatureServe Communications department staff to develop materials that communicate project outcomes and conservation success stories to external audiences.
  • Work with key federal agencies and NatureServe staff to develop new and strategic cooperative agreements with Federal agencies and other partners that support the development and delivery of NatureServe data and analytical products.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

  • A degree (Master’s or Ph.D. preferred) in the field of biological science, conservation, environmental science, natural resource management, or similar.
  • At least five years of experience in project management including managing large, complex projects from start of project to project close.
  • Experience assessing data quality.
  • Experience analyzing and visualizing large and complex datasets.
  • Keen organizational skills.
  • Skilled in working alongside project team members and with external partners in a highly collaborative environment and motivating staff without direct supervisory authority.
  • Ability to deal perceptively and communicate effectively (verbal and written) with a diverse array of people and institutions – from technical to non-technical.
  • Demonstrated flexibility, self-awareness, professional integrity, and cultural competence - including commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Willingness to work from NatureServe's Arlington, VA office preferred.
  • Commitment to the conservation of biodiversity and a genuine desire to make a lasting impact.
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment Visa at this time.


PREFERRED SKILLS:

  • Understanding of and experience with waterfall and/or agile project management systems and experience using a leading project management software platform.
  • Experience working with NatureServe Network member programs and knowledge of NatureServe Natural Heritage Methodology.
  • Experience working with U.S. federal agencies or industry on conservation assessment or resource management issues.
  • Working knowledge of the US Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, and other federal policies and regulations that support biodiversity conservation.
  • Experience with a scripting language such as R or Python.
  • Willingness and ability to travel occasionally.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Ability to converse verbally and in writing with staff and partners
  • Ability to maintain a full-time position
  • Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus such as: preparing reports and figures; viewing a computer terminal

ABOUT NATURESERVE:   

For nearly 50 years, NatureServe has been the authoritative source for biodiversity data throughout the Western Hemisphere. With an international network of nearly 100 natural heritage programs across the United States, Canada, and Latin America, NatureServe is the leading source of information on rare and endangered species and threatened ecosystems. To protect threatened biodiversity, NatureServe works with over 1,000 conservation scientists to collect, aggregate, and standardize biodiversity statistics, providing comprehensive data to the public for strategic conservation efforts. NatureServe and NatureServe network programs develop and manage the most comprehensive data for over 100,000 species and ecosystems, answering fundamental questions about what exists, where it is found, and how it is doing.  NatureServe has an expansive botanical library in its Arlington, VA office and access to online botanical literature to support our work.


NatureServe offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes: 

  • 401K savings and retirement plan with matching contributions
  • Health and dental insurance
  • Short and long-term disability
  • Annual and sick leave
  • Life insurance
  • Telework/Flex work 

 

NATURESERVE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

m/f/vet/disability 

An equal opportunity, reasonable accommodations employer, NatureServe complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you need accommodation in the employment process or this document in an alternative format, please contact our office at 703-908-1840 or info@natureserve.org. We stand in support of equality for and advancement of all people based on their qualifications and actions alone without regard to color, gender, age, religion, national origin, or disability. 

This position has been filled.