Chief Scientist

Opportunity

Join a mission-driven organization at the forefront of biodiversity conservation! NatureServe is a leading authority on biodiversity data across North America, empowering conservation efforts with the most comprehensive, science-based insights into rare and endangered species and ecosystems.

As the Chief Scientist, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of conservation science, working with a talented team of over 25 experts in botany, zoology, ecology, and data science. This is a unique opportunity to guide innovative research, forge impactful partnerships, and develop groundbreaking tools that support conservation planning, land management, and corporate biodiversity initiatives.

About NatureServe

For 50 years, NatureServe has been the authoritative source for biodiversity data throughout North America. With an international network of over 60 Natural Heritage Programs and Conservation Data Centers across the United States and Canada (“the Network”), NatureServe is the leading source of information on rare and endangered species and the ecosystems on which North American species depend. 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 its network programs develop and manage the most comprehensive data for over 100,000 species and ecosystems, answering fundamental questions about what the critical elements of biodiversity are, where they are found, and how they are doing.

Description:

NatureServe seeks a respected scientist in the field of biodiversity informatics to join the Executive Team as Chief Scientist, a Vice President-level role. Ideal candidates will be collaborative, demonstrate a commitment to conservation, and be eager to help shape the future of an established and growing organization. The Chief Scientist will work closely with NatureServe’s Vice President of Data Science and report directly to the Executive Director.

The Chief Scientist will serve as the senior leader of NatureServe's Core Science team, guiding the strategic development and growth of our botany, zoology, and ecology science programs. They will also contribute scientific leadership to our Data Science team, and lead partnerships and fundraising for NatureServe’s diverse science portfolio. With the goal of providing the best available scientific information to support the conservation of species and ecosystems, this leader will broker scientific partnerships and support innovative approaches to developing and managing scientific information, including advancing science-based tools for land management, conservation planning, and corporate biodiversity accounting.

In addition to leading the Core Science team, the Chief Scientist will play a key role in business development and fundraising efforts by generating proposals and securing funding to advance NatureServe’s strategic goals. The Chief Scientist will also provide thought leadership in conservation data collection, analysis, and application within NatureServe, NatureServe’s Network, and the broader biodiversity informatics and conservation community.

NatureServe’s Conservation Science team, which includes 25+ botanists, zoologists, ecologists, and data scientists, works together to develop scientific methods for conservation data production, curates biodiversity databases, and develops analyses and products to apply those data to conservation needs. Jointly managed by the Chief Scientist and VP for Data Science, the Conservation Science team works on a variety of critical initiatives, including conducting endangered species assessments, predicting species habitat and ranges, classifying and mapping ecosystems, assessing ecological integrity, and helping society adapt to climate change. The Chief Scientist will provide scientific leadership across these diverse programs, working closely with the VP for Data Science to develop and disseminate data products and to define and advance departmental goals. Key staff positions reporting to the Chief Scientist include a Lead Zoologist, Chief Botanist, and Director of Ecology.

See full requirements: https://ats.rippling.com/natureservecareers/jobs/8fb3b97a-825f-4925-99e1-dbc3ab3c79cd