Job Type: Part time, on-site
Location: The Nature Conservancy - Durham, North Carolina
Pay: $30-$35/hour
Description:
The Peatlands Climate and Restoration Scientist will play a key role in advancing The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) climate mitigation and ecosystem restoration strategies in North Carolina. This includes directly informing efforts to rehabilitate more than 30,000 acres of ecologically significant wetlands in eastern NC, helping to maximize the climate, environmental and community benefits of restoration investments.
Working closely with TNC scientists and conservation practitioners, the Scientist will assess how peatland restoration influences wildfire risk, greenhouse gas emissions, hydrologic function, air quality, and other ecosystem services. Through advanced spatial analysis, statistical modeling, and climate projections, the Scientist’s work will inform long-term management strategies.
Responsibilities and Scope:
Analytics and Reporting (70%)
Estimate the reduction in wildfire risk due to peatland rehabilitation in North Carolina using historical fire occurrence data environmental risk factors.
Analyze relationships among fire risk, peatland drainage conditions, and other biophysical and socio-economic drivers of fire occurrence.
Evaluate the ecosystem service benefits associated with reduced fire risk, including impacts on carbon storage, air quality, public health, and community resilience.
Develop and apply models to assess future wildfire risk under a range of climate change scenarios, including potential risks of restoration reversal.
Collaborate with TNC scientists and practitioners to integrate analytical findings into investment strategy and management planning.
Communication (30%)
Develop and maintain a comprehensive geospatial database incorporating fire occurrence and severity data, peatland extent and condition information, management context, climate projections, and other key determinants of wildfire risk.
Present analyses and findings to technical and non-technical audiences, highlighting historical trends, key drivers of fire risk, restoration outcomes, and future climate-related risks.
Prepare technical reports, white papers, scientific manuscripts, and other written products that communicate research findings and support conservation decision-making.
Contribute to knowledge sharing across TNC programs and with external research and conservation partners.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in science related field and 1-year experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience with GIS software and data to create maps.
Experience managing large, complex spatial datasets and analytics systems; proficiency in data analysis tools and coding environments.
Demonstrated expertise in statistical modelling techniques and methods.
Experience working with climate projections and scenarios to assess future environmental risks and outcomes.
Ability to perform technical analyses and communicate findings to non-technical audiences.
Proven ability to work independently and collaborate with diverse teams, including conservation practitioners and academic scientists.
Desired Qualifications:
Multi-language skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
Field experience.
Ability to interpret guidelines and evaluate information and adapt accordingly.
Ability to work independently and exercise independent judgment.
Time management skills.
Track record of academic publications is a plus.
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.
