The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in more than 35 countries, all 50 United States, and your backyard. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Visitwww.nature.org/aboutus to learn more.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Nature Conservancy in New York seeks an Urban Spatial Planner in New York City. The Conservancy's NYC Program, started two years ago, is working to create a healthy, resilient and sustainable city environment. Building on the Conservancy's science-based, collaborative, results-oriented approach and its record of contributing creative and effective solutions to conservation challenges, the growing NYC Program is implementing a suite of projects that will help the city conserve and benefit from nature and enhance the quality of life for all New Yorkers.
Among other things, this growing program is designed to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends; use nature and "natural infrastructure" to make the city more resilient in the face of climate change; enhance environmental quality of life for NYC residents, and raise the profile, broaden the base of support and build a pipeline of future leadership for an organization that has historically "quietly conserved nature."
This exciting endeavor influences the work of the Conservancy in New York, across the United States and around the world. The New York City Urban Spatial Planner reports to the NYC Program Director and is part of growing a team that also includes the Urban Ecologist, the NYC Program Coordinator, and the NYC Program Research and Outreach Coordinator. S/he will provide strategic support to the overall efforts of the NYC Program team, and to the individual staff members on the team. S/he will also work with staff members across New York, regionally (CT and NJ), and nationally on issues that impact urban conservation initiatives in New York City.
The Urban Spatial Planner provides technical and scientific support and leadership as a subject matter resource for the NYC Program in conservation and urban ecosystem service planning and scenario development, program and project development and monitoring and measuring conservation success
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's Degree in science related field required (ecology, geography, spatial ecology, urban planning or conservation-related field) and 4 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. PhD preferred.
- Experience manipulating, analyzing and interpreting statistical or environmental data.
- Experience with urban spatial planning, conservation and ecosystem services.
- Record of peer reviewed publications in scientific journals.
- Experience fundraising and/or writing grants and research proposals.
- Experience leading or participating on cross-functional teams.
- Experience managing complex projects including the financial aspect and coordinating the work of peers and partners.
- Experience working and communicating with a wide range of people.
- Experience managing, maintaining and populating databases and manual files.
- Experience with interpretation of image analysis, complex spatial analysis, data modeling and landscape scenario analysis.
- Experience managing multiple projects.
- Experience operating GIS software, analyzing data and producing data reports and creating maps.
- Experience interpreting and communicating results to a wide variety of audiences.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD and 1-3 experience considered.
- Strong knowledge of common relevant software applications, including GIS, iTree, InVEST, and climate resilience models.
- Proven negotiation skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Proven communication and presentation skills.
- Experience developing partnerships and collaborating with other parties to obtain different data sources and explore alternative perspectives
- Managing and prioritizing tasks from multiple sources and meeting deadlines.
- Demonstrated commitment to urban environmental and conservation issues.
- Knowledgeable about relevant policies and regulation.
- Experience working with NYC government.
- Demonstrated fundraising efficacy.
- Demonstrated interest in at least two of our programmatic focus areas: urban natural resources, heat island, biodiversity, coastal resilience, green infrastructure, forests/street trees, ecosystem services, and/or restoration ecology.
