Career Opportunity /  27 November 2022

Spatial Data Analysis, TNC

Working with a team of conservation practioners, scientists, and technologists, the Spatial Data Analyst uses leading-edge earth observation data in new and effective ways to inform conservation practice locally, regionally, and around the globe. The Spatial Data Analyst aggregates data from multiples sources, is proficient in geospatial and remote sensing data, workflows, software, and analysis, and distils complex topics through data into relevant products and stories for multiple audiences.  

Deadline: 27 November 2022 - the deadline has passed.
California - United States

Original Job Posting

Job ID: 52466

Location: California

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Temporary

 

OFFICE LOCATION

Santa Barbara, California, USA.

Flexible within California, with preference for the Santa Barbara County area, as we have an office at UCSB’s National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS).

WHO WE ARE

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Grounded in science, we develop innovative solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity; respect for people, communities, and cultures; and a collaborative, bipartisan approach. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world.

The California Chapter is TNC’s largest state program, with approximately 230 employees working to achieve our conservation mission, from financial analysts to on-the-ground ecologists. We are currently engaged in more than two dozen large-scale conservation projects statewide—projects that are designed to develop and test ideas to increase the pace, scale, and effectiveness of conservation. Over the past six decades, we have protected 1.4 million acres, 5,000 miles of streams, and 3.8 million acres of ocean habitat in California and off the coast.

The California Chapter believes that we are most effective when we are embedded in our state’s communities, politics, media, and environmental issues. For this reason, and to reduce our carbon footprint when meeting in person, all staff live in California, including those in a home office.

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER

The Nature Conservancy, through the Point Conception Institute and Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve, is seeking a Spatial Data Analyst. Working with a team of conservation practioners, scientists, and technologists, the Spatial Data Analyst uses leading-edge earth observation data in new and effective ways to inform conservation practice locally, regionally, and around the globe. The Spatial Data Analyst aggregates data from multiples sources, is proficient in geospatial and remote sensing data, workflows, software, and analysis, and distils complex topics through data into relevant products and stories for multiple audiences.   

This is a termed 16-month position working with the Point Conception Institute team at the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve. This position’s primary focus will be working on a NASA Applied Science grant integrating freshwater resources into fire risk assessments and aggregating spatial data for prescribed fire and community wildfire protection plans.  

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU

The Spatial Data Analyst position brings technical and analytical capacity to a variety of projects, as well as direct and regular engagement and collaboration with core staff and their programs. They are proficient in data processing, automating data workflows in Python, R, JavaScript and/or Bash, comfortable with reproducible data science tools (i.e., GitHub) and concepts, and passionate about conservation. This position’s primary focus will be on a NASA Applied Science project integrating freshwater data and resources into assessments of fire hazard and risk, so familiarity with NASA remote sensing platforms, products, and specific experience at the intersection of water and fire in Mediterranean landscapes is desired. The Spatial Data Analyst will aggregate data from various sources and distil these complex datasets and topics into meaningful visualizations and interpretations for various audiences.  

WHAT YOU'LL BRING
  • Master's Degree in science related field and 1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
  • Experience collecting, manipulating, analysing, and interpreting scientific data. 
  • Experience preparing reports of findings. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

  • Experience in data aggregation, processing, and analysis and the automation of these workflows data. 
  • Expertise in applying machine learning, statistical, mechanistic models, and other computational approaches to extract insights from multi-sensor datasets in complex environments and in support of conservation. 
  • Familiarity programming in Python, R, JavaScript, and/or Bash and using online versioned repositories for code (e.g., GitHub), including branching/forking workflows.  
  • Ability to communicate results of work through compelling visualizations to various audiences. 
  • Proven ability to create engaging, user-friendly, and interactive data visualizations. 
  • Ability to drive the design, development, and management of multiple projects simultaneously, as well as lead or guide advanced technical steps for these efforts. 
WHAT WE BRING

Each person who works at TNC contributes to our goal of protecting nature for future generations. Another one of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. We consider life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “You’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.” To learn more, head to YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.  

We’re proud to support the health and wellbeing of the people we employ. We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package that includes healthcare coverage, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, and other benefits that support work-life balance. Learn more on our culture webpage.

If you’re interested in working with us, please apply—we’d love to hear from you.

APPLY NOW

To apply for job ID 52466, please submit both a resume and cover letter online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 8:59 PM PST on Sunday, November 27. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact [email protected].

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

Where legally permissible, TNC requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated and willing to keep up to date with vaccines that protect against COVID-19. By accepting an offer of employment, you agree to comply with this requirement, unless you are entitled to a legally mandated exemption.
 

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people with diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, gender identities, military or veteran status or other status protected by law. The Nature Conservancy is also a “big tent” organization. We believe that all people benefit from conservation and that the cause should be inclusive of everyone regardless of their political persuasion. We work hard to make conservation a non-partisan issue through partnerships with stakeholders, elected officials, and industries that span the political spectrum.