Arlington, Virginia (VA)

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. Visit www.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.

The GIS Specialist, Global Water conducts and coordinates freshwater (river & watershed) GIS analyses at multiple scales from project basins to regions to global, and contributes to spatial and relational database programs and provides technical expertise to Conservancy staff working on global water challenges and solutions.

The GIS Specialist, Global Water conducts and coordinates the GIS and/or other spatial and relational database activities between internal and external sources, through file sharing and/or Internet-based Map Services.  S/he develops innovative mapping techniques to help communicate and analyze complex ecological patterns and priorities for strategy implementation.  S/he performs distributed spatial database analysis, administration and replication management activities in support of the Global Water Team.

This position is a one year position, pending further acquisition of funds.

• Perform and coordinate spatial analyses as a component of freshwater assessments at multiple spatial scales
• Significant opportunity to act independently within broad program goals.
• May negotiate and contract with vendors.
• Must be willing and able to travel.

• MS degree in Geography, GIS, Computer Science or related field and 5-10 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in designing and maintaining spatial and relational databases to meet organizational needs.
• Experience in developing and managing multiple projects.
• Experience creating and maintaining internet-based spatial data viewers, interactive online analysis tools and spatial data distribution tools.
• Experience training individuals and groups (if required).
• Experience, education and/or training  with regional and global hydrography databases and watershed analyses
• Experience conducting hydrographic analysis using flow directionality and accumulation analyses.
• Experience using Geographic Information Systems (e.g. Esri ArcGIS Desktop and extensions, ArcGIS Server, Geodatabases, etc.) and Remote Sensing Software (e.g. Leica Geosystems ERDAS Imagine, ENVI, Feature Analyst, etc.)
• Experience with relevant scripting and programming languages (e.g. KML and KMZ files, Python, R, Microsoft VBA, C++, Java, etc.).
• Experience creating standardized cartographic map design and spatial data visualization products for static and dynamic (Internet-based) map applications.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience in the following areas: interpretation of remote sensing analysis, complex spatial analysis, data modeling and landscape scenario analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in spatial data management, including metadata and documentation.
• Working knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and region(s).
• Well versed in geospatial sciences best practices, and an ability to adapt them to TNC’s organizational needs and culture.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and communicating results to conservation practitioners and managers.
• Demonstrated experience recommending conservation actions based on scientific analysis results.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with other parties to obtain data sources.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken and graphical means in English.

To apply to position number 43312, submit resume and cover letter as one document. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 24, 2015.

Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.

If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contactapplyhelp@tnc.org.

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 men and women of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. 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 orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

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