Assistant Conservation Social Science Jobs in Reston, VA

About Audubon

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, X and Instagram @audubonsociety.

Position Summary

The Senior Manager, Science Data and Knowledge Management on Audubon’s science team will report to Sr. Director, Migratory Bird Initiative (MBI) and lead science data and knowledge management for Audubon’s Science team—and increasingly for science conducted across the organization—with the goal of increasing the diffusion, adoption, and impact of biological and social science frameworks and products across Audubon and its partners. This role blends spatial and non-spatial digital product expertise, data and knowledge management, and capacity building to ensure Audubon’s science is accessible, usable, and influential. The Senior Manager, Science Data and Knowledge Management will support programs across the Science (Migratory Bird Science, Climate Science, Spatial Conservation Planning, Quantitative Metrics & Monitoring, Community Science and Conservation Social Science) and partner with Audubon’s IT and Conservation Teams as well as academic and government scientists and conservation organizations to create data and knowledge management systems broaden the applications and impacts of Audubon’s science on bird conservation across the Western Hemisphere.

Hybrid and Office Locations

This position is classified as hybrid preferred. Hybrid employees are expected to work in an Audubon office every Monday and Tuesday and an additional two days each month of the employee’s choosing. Remote work within the United States may be considered only for candidates not within commuting distance of an Audubon office, in accordance with Audubon’s “Where We Work” Policy. Audubon offices include locations in: Albuquerque, NM; Albany, NY; Anchorage, AK; Baltimore, MD; Charleston, SC; Chicago, IL; Columbia, SC; Fargo, ND; Fort Collins, CO; Lincoln, NE; Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; Oakland, CA; Palm Desert, CA; Roseville, MN; Sacramento, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; Tallahassee, FL; and Washington, DC.

Compensation

Salary range based on geo-differentials:

• $73,000 - $83,000 / year = Albuquerque, NM; Charleston, SC; Columbia, SC; Fargo, ND; Fort Collins, CO; Lincoln, NE; Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; Salt Lake City, UT; Tallahassee, FL

• $83,000 - $93,000 / year = Albany, NY; Anchorage, AK; Baltimore, MD; Chicago, IL; Palm Desert, CA; Roseville, MN; Sacramento, CA; Washington, DC

• $92,000 - $103,000 / year = New York, NY; Oakland, CA

Additional Job Description Essential Functions Science Knowledge & Data Systems

• Design, build and manage a centralized science knowledge hub, curating a comprehensive library of Audubon science datasets (spatial and non-spatial), resources and products (including digital online tools) to make them easily discoverable and accessible to staff across Audubon.

• Develop and adapt information systems to support emerging data types, such as bird tracking data, acoustic recording unit data, remote sensing data, drone data, and other novel datasets.

• Establish and implement workflows, governance frameworks, metadata standards, and data-sharing policies in collaboration with IT and Legal teams to ensure long-term usability, compliance and adoption.

• Collaborate with IT Data and Analytics and Digital Product teams to develop, enhance and maintain science data systems and digital products and measure their reach and impact on organizational conservation goals, maximizing the use of Audubon.org and existing technological infrastructure.

• Oversee the acquisition, processing, storage, and management of science data and knowledge related to birds, environmental conditions, threats from human activities and climate change.

• Explore and pilot opportunities to apply emerging technologies, including AI, to science knowledge management and capacity-building applications.

Capacity Building

• Design and deliver outreach, training materials, and learning programs—grounded in best practices for user engagement—to increase awareness and adoption of science data, frameworks and products as well as build staff and partner capabilities for applying them in ways that support conservation and policy across the hemisphere

• Apply policies and best practices related to science and partnerships, including proper application and attribution of Western science data and traditional knowledge shared with Audubon.

Management, Operations & Support

• Supervise regular and intern staff through establishment of work objectives and priorities, reviewing and revising these objectives on an ongoing basis to guide and mentor team members in their work progress.

• Manage AWS Cloud Support and manage shared storage systems for the Science team and provide data systems and project management support using platforms such as Box and Asana.

• Develop and manage Audubon’s consortium library subscriptions to support science and conservation work.

• Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts, including contribute to grant writing.

• Maintain and foster culture of safety.

• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, ecology, information science, data science, computer science, or a related field. Masters or Ph.D. preferred.

• 7+ years of related work experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.

• Experience leading knowledge management, data management, or digital information systems.

• Demonstrated experience designing, building, and maintaining centralized data or knowledge management systems, including digital repositories and data discovery tools (e.g., Living Atlas).

• Strong understanding of data governance, metadata standards, data-sharing policies, and best practices for managing and publishing data (spatial and non-spatial).

• Experience working with cloud-based platforms and data infrastructure (e.g., AWS or comparable environments).

• Proven ability to manage and evolve digital products or tools, including working with cross-functional teams (science, IT, digital products, legal, communications).

• Experience supporting or managing large complex scientific datasets, including geospatial data, and adapting systems to accommodate new data types.

• Demonstrated skills translating complex science and data products into accessible, usable formats and systems for diverse audiences, including researchers, practitioners, and decision‑makers.

• Experience designing and delivering training, documentation, or capacity‑building programs that increase adoption of tools, systems, or frameworks.

• Experience applying or piloting artificial intelligence or machine learning tools for knowledge management, data discovery, or capacity building.

• Experience managing vendor relationships, software subscriptions, or consortium-based library resources.

• Familiarity with impact measurement frameworks and tools used to assess the reach and use of science outputs.

• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

• Experience supervising staff or leading teams, including setting priorities, providing mentorship, and overseeing work plans.

• High level of organization, initiative, project management, interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.

• Comfortable in a fast‑paced environment, able to juggle a variety of tasks, and able to work independently to re‑prioritize tasks.

• Able to travel up to 10% of the time.

• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

• Experience fostering diverse, inclusive and equitable work environments is valued.

National Audubon Society Competencies

This role will also be accountable to apply and develop the following competencies.

Fostering Relationships

Build trust, mutual respect, and understanding through regular and genuine interactions while promoting a positive and inclusive environment.

Analytical Thinking

Recognize and value diverse perspectives and experiences in data analysis to foster a more comprehensive and equitable approach to problem‑solving.

Creativity and Innovation

Leverage creativity and imagination to generate new insights and solutions while embracing diverse ideas and approaches that foster innovation.

Facilitating Change

Work with others to explore innovative approaches to problem‑solving while promoting inclusivity, equity, accessibility, and belonging in the change process.

Team Leadership

Communicate vision and engage others or the team to solve problems while valuing diverse perspectives and fostering inclusivity.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates.

Accessibility Statement

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.