Conservation Social Scientist, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

Fort Collins, CO with flexible telework 

Position Title: Conservation Social Scientist

Organization: Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

Location: Fort Collins, CO with flexible telework

Position Overview: Bird Conservancy is seeking a dynamic Conservation Social Scientist to lead internal research needs and support Human Dimensions of conservation throughout the Intermountain West and Great Plains. The Conservation Social Scientist will work closely within Bird Conservancy’s integrated and multidisciplinary work environment to support programmatic efforts aimed at understanding barriers and motivations to conservation. Specifically, the Conservation Social Scientist will work collaboratively with the Research Director, Stewardship Director, Chief Conservation Scientist and other key staff to support existing projects and develop a collaborative research and conservation program. Externally, the Conservation Social Scientist will be embedded within a vibrant social science and human dimensions research community and collaboratively work with Migratory Bird Joint Ventures, University Faculty, USFWS, R2R, NABCI, and other partners. The position is also expected to play an important role to support needed human dimensions capacity for the Central Grassland Roadmap Initiative including the Social Ecological Working Group and Indigenous Kinship Circle.

We are seeking a Conservation Social Scientist who is naturally curious and eager to collaborate on projects that integrate social and biological science data to support Bird Conservancy’s mission of connecting birds, lands and people. The ideal candidate will have a background in applied conservation research and quantitative social science, with relevant experience in human dimensions of conservation challenges, voluntary conservation, mapping social values related to land stewardship and behavior change or decision science. They will also have experience working with diverse partners and leading collaborative efforts. The social scientist’s work will include quantitative research related to rangeland management and will explore public and stakeholder values and decision making, and the community characteristics of social networks/ social capital. Analyses will be conducted at the regional to international scales. The Conservation Social Scientist will be based in Fort Collins, CO with an option for hybrid as agreed upon by the supervisor.

Duties: 

  • Lead and implement social science/ human dimensions conservation research program that integrates social and biological data to advance conservation outcomes
  • Conduct quantitative social science research at all project stages (concept development, grant writing, study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, application)
  • Collaborate with internal and external partners to improve conservation delivery, cross-team collaboration, and advance conservation outcomes for diverse communities
  • Provide budgetary oversight and management of collaborative projects
  • Communicate with diverse audiences (e.g., working groups, producer and indigenous communities, and researchers) through reports, 1-pagers, data products, peer reviewed publications, conference presentations, and community engagement
  • Supervise staff as needed
  • Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications:

  • Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Social Science with experience in conservation or related field (Human Dimensions, Conservation, etc.) or equivalent work experience
  • Natural curiosity and passion for applying human dimensions to solve complex conservation challenges
  • Experience with survey techniques and mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative studies)
  • Strong written and verbal communication, along with excellent interpersonal skills
  • Proficiency with statistical software SPSS, R, etc.
  • Knowledge of robust engagement processes and building partnerships
  • Experience working with diverse communities including private landowners, Indigenous Nations, under
  • resourced communities, conservation organizations, state and federal agencies
  • Experience working on multi-disciplinary collaborative teams
  • Knowledge of grassland biome, its ecosystem and human communities
  • Experience with socio-economic/demographic data sets like U.S. Agricultural Census Data
  • Experience applying quantitative approaches to social science questions including Social Network Analysis
  • Experience using social science to understand drivers of voluntary conservation practices on working lands
  • High emotional intelligence and proven skill set in relationship management
  • Strategic thinker and ability to provide programmatic vision
  • Record of securing grants, extramural funding and peer reviewed publications
  • Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple deadlines 
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office
  • Proficiency in speaking, reading or writing Spanish is a plus

Salary/Pay:  $70-95K Commensurate with experience

Application Deadline: Preference will be given to those applications submitted before October 11th, 2024.

How to Apply: Please submit your cover letter, resume, and contacts for three references to applicants@birdconservancy.org with “Conservation Social Scientist” in the subject line.