Director of Science

The Director of Science plays a pivotal role in shaping the scientific vision and strategy of Save the Redwoods League leading groundbreaking research and conservation planning efforts to protect and restore coast redwood and giant sequoia forests. Reporting to the Chief Program Officer and overseeing a dynamic Science Teamincluding the Senior Scientist Forest Ecologist and GIS Manageralong with external contractors the Director ensures that the Leagues conservation initiatives are rooted in the best available science. Guided by the Science & Restoration Committee they collaborate with leading scientists research institutions and conservation partners to advance key initiatives including the Redwoods and Climate Change Research Program redwood genetics studies and research on forest restoration and fire resilience. As the Leagues scientific thought leader the Director translates complex ecological principles into actionable insights engaging a diverse audience of staff donors policymakers and the public to drive impactful conservation efforts. This is an exciting opportunity for a visionary scientist to lead cuttingedge research inform conservation strategies and elevate the role of science in protecting some of the worlds most iconic forests.

Key Responsibilities of the Director of Science include:

• Science Program Leadership: The Director of Science works closely with the Chief Program Officer to develop and implement sciencebased strategies that guide the Leagues conservation planning land acquisition stewardship restoration projects and equitable public access to coast redwood and giant sequoia forests. Serving as a leading voice for redwood science they facilitate internal and external research collaborations conservation planning efforts and land stewardship initiatives to advance the Leagues mission. They provide technical expertise to shape government relations public policy legislation and funding strategies ensuring alignment with conservation priorities. The Director also leads and mentors the Science Team fostering a culture of innovation collaboration and professional growth while overseeing engagement with research and planning partners. Additionally they support the Science & Restoration Committee working alongside the Director of Stewardship & Restoration to develop and execute its vision. A committed advocate for diversity equity and inclusivity (DEI) they actively support the Leagues DEI goals programs and evaluations.
• Strategic Conservation Planning: The Director of Science leads the organizations datadriven conservation planning process utilizing a GISbased methodology to establish landscapescale and sitespecific priorities for forest conservation restoration and public access strategies. Collaborating with the Science Team organizational leadership and key partners they continuously develop and refine conservation planning tools to ensure the best available data and science inform decisionmaking. Overseeing all aspects of the Leagues GIS Program the Director determines technical requirements and training needs for GIS staff and consultants. Working closely with the GIS Manager they assess data quality develop datasets and conduct analyses to support conservation planning and other key projects.
• Research and Monitoring: The Director of Science is responsible for developing and implementing the Leagues Research and Monitoring strategy ensuring that scientific research aligns with conservation objectives. They oversee the Senior Scientists efforts to design implement and evaluate research initiatives including the Leagues competitive research grants program Leagueinitiated projects and Leagueled studies. Additionally the Director manages the Science Teams efforts to develop and coordinate ecological monitoring and evaluation protocols ensuring that League staff and contractors effectively assess conservation outcomes and ecosystem health.
• Science Communications: The Director of Science collaborates with the Parks & Community Engagement Marketing & Communication and Development teams to translate complex scientific research into accessible messaging that engages and educates stakeholders donors policymakers media and the public on redwood conservation and restoration efforts. They provide sciencebased expertise and interpretation to support the Marketing & Communication Team ensuring that the Leagues conservation vision is effectively conveyed through media outreach public speaking events and strategic communications.
• Collaborative Leadership: The Director of Science serves as a thought leader providing collaborative leadership and technical expertise to advance the science and conservation priorities of both Redwoods Rising and the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition.
• Organizational Leadership: The Director of Science coordinates program plans budgets and resources across the organization ensuring the management of science files and data while maintaining program accountability and compliance with internal policies and external requirements.

In order to fulfill these responsibilities the ideal Director of Science candidate will be:

• Graduate degree (Ph.D. preferred) in applied ecology conservation planning forestry forest or fire ecology conservation biology landscape ecology or a related field or equivalent experience.
• At least five years of relevant experience working for a nonprofit public agency or research institution.
• At least five years of demonstrated supervisory and leadership experience to motivate lead set objectives and manage a multidisciplinary team.
• A minimum of five years of demonstrated handson experience in some or all the following: forest conservation restoration and stewardship; timber land use and management issues; conservation planning and conservation planning tools; business operations and compliance; government and nongovernment contracting and grant making; government and legislative relations.
• Demonstrated ability to design implement and direct complex and diverse projects encompassing multiple programs coordinate the work of other professionals inside and outside of the organization and incorporate crossdisciplinary knowledge to support program objectives.
• Demonstrated understanding and experience in ecology of California or western U.S. forests preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in promoting conservation programs by coordinating with public agencies research institutions nonprofits and other conservation partners.
• Direct experience designing and implementing robust scientific research and interpreting and communicating results.
• Direct experience with the use of scientific information in support of successful environmental education and interpretation programs preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in conservation natural resource protection restoration and land management and experience applying this knowledge to set and achieve conservation priorities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of tribes tribal relations tribal issues and respectful use of traditional ecological knowledge is strongly preferred. Knowledge of California tribes is desirable.
• Solid research writing editing and oral communication skills. Able to assemble assess and organize scientific data conduct analyses and report findings clearly on complex technical issues.
• Excellent public speaking presentation and written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work with others in a nonadversarial professional and diplomatic manner.
• A strong commitment to the Leagues DEI values and commitments and the Leagues cultural attributes empowering accountable continuously improving supportive and inclusive.
• Demonstrated cultural competency and ability to communicate and interact effectively with people across cultures ethnic groups and identities; verbal and written fluency in a language other than English is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in MS Office Word Excel PowerPoint and videoconference tools such as Zoom and Teams. Experience with data management spatial and statistical analysis in R and desktop GIS highly desired.
• Commitment to the Leagues nonconfrontational approach to conservation.

• Frequent travel predominantly within California.
• Some weekend and evening responsibilities.
• Valid drivers license and safe driving record.
• Regularly sits at a desk or computer workstation.
• Actively utilizes computers telephones and other office equipment.
• Frequently moves about the office to collaborate with colleagues.
• Frequently required to hike through forest land while working offsite including walking on uneven ground climbing over obstacles and accessing remote locations.
• Occasionally lifts carries or otherwise moves and positions objects weighing up to 30 pounds.

This role is hybrid with a minimum of 12 days onsite in our San Francisco headquarters per week. Our weekly in office day is Tuesday (when everyone living in the SF Bay Area is required to come in). Additional days are based on business needs.

As a fulltime salaried employee you will be eligible for full benefits which include medical dental and vision insurance three weeks of vacation annually plus holidays and a 401k retirement plan currently with an up to 8 company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience and internal/external equity considerations; the salary range for this position is $ 175000 $185000 per year.

Save the Redwoods League is fully committed to its Diversity Equity and Inclusion Goals. The League welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets. However we are open to the possibility that a great candidate for this job may not precisely meet all the above criteria. If you believe you are the right person for this job and can persuasively make that case we encourage you to apply.

Required Experience:

Senior Manager