jobs description

The preferred location is on Oahu but we will consider all Hawai’i-based home office locations. TNC HI has offices on Oahu, Hawai'i island, Maui, Kaua'i, and Molokai.

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.

Established in 1980, TNC’s Hawai‘i program has forged partnerships to manage over 2 million acres of natural lands and has grown to include Palmyra Atoll. We currently manage 14 preserves and other sites in Hawai‘i and Palmyra Atoll. In Hawai‘i, we work with government agencies, private landowners, businesses, community partners and local stakeholders to protect and restore Hawai‘i’s native watershed forests, coral reefs, and nearshore fisheries for both their ecological value and the many benefits they provide to people. At Palmyra Atoll, a National Wildlife Refuge 1,000 miles south of Hawai‘i, we facilitate research in this living laboratory to better understand and address global questions around sustainable fisheries and resilience to climate change.

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER

The Hawai’i and Palmyra Marine Program works to improve coastal ecosystem health and increase coastal resources, and this position will contribute to understanding how mauka (upland) processes such as hydrology, erosion, stormwater and wastewater impact makai (toward the ocean) wetlands, fishponds and coastal waters. Our program values translating data into conservation project and policy recommendations.

The Coastal Science Specialist provides technical and scientific support for the Conservancy’s water quality strategies to prevent land-based pollutants from impacting wetland and coastal ecosystems across the Hawaiian Islands. The Specialist will assist in experimental design, data collection and data analysis meant to assess conservation actions on land and in the water, and to identify sources and pathways of freshwater (both surface and groundwater) and pollutants through mapping, monitoring, and modeling methods at different spatial and temporal scales. They assist in mapping, measuring, and analyzing upland sources of pollutants in Hawai’i and Palmyra through analysis of water quality and quantity parameters and biological response across the watershed to the reef. Our team uses bottle sampling, electronic sensors, survey methods, remote sensing data and drones to quantify water quality, and looks forward at innovative methods of monitoring and mapping key measures of ecosystem health and coastal resilience.

The Specialist will support the team in entering and analyzing data, processing samples, writing reports and communicating scientific findings and the scientific basis for priorities and actions to government partners, community, media, non-profit stakeholders, the scientific community and policymakers to inform conservation decision making for planning and strategy development. Communication may be through peer-reviewed literature, other published materials and maps, presentations at meetings and conferences, news media, and field tours. Together we will write proposals and reports to support the team’s work.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU

Do you have experience planning, implementing, and managing coastal science projects?

Do you have skills in science and research, project and budget management, partnership and relationship building, and community engagement?

Do you have experience in ecohydrological restoration projects, such as soil erosion mitigation, wastewater infrastructure, or wetlands restoration?

We encourage you to apply to join our Hawaii marine science team as our next Coastal Science Specialist!

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

1. Master's Degree in Earth Science, Geography, Oceanography, Soil Science, Marine Biology, Ecology, Environmental Engineering or related field and 1 year of relevant work experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
2. Experience collecting, manipulating, analyzing and interpreting watershed, water quality and/or ecosystem data.
3. Experience of coastal and ocean management conservation practice and science on Pacific islands.
4. Experience using GIS software or scripting languages to analyze data, create map products and/or run watershed models.
5. Experience sharing science and conservation work with diverse audiences such as community members, conservation and management professionals, and policymakers.
6. Experience preparing technical reports, grant proposals and/or manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals.

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. 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.

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

SALARY INFORMATION

The starting pay for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $60,000 – 70,400 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA and whose state of employment is Hawai'i. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

APPLY NOW

To apply for job ID 54455 , submit your materials (resume and cover letter) online by using the Apply Now button at by 5:59 PM HST on Sunday, Jan 14, 2024 . Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact

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 with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

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.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Contact Information

Contact: Esther Gonzalez, The Nature Conservancy
Email:
Phone: 8085374508
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Honolulu HI United States

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Apply - Coastal Science Specialist