Conservation International (CI) has been protecting nature for the benefit of all for over 30 years. Through science, policy, and partnerships, CI is helping build a healthier, more prosperous and more productive planet.
POSITION SUMMARY
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments: Global investments in area-based conservation face an uncertain future under climate change. Climate change will induce changes to the species composition, hydrology, and ecosystem function within each site as well as external pressures in the areas surrounding the conservation sites. CI has expertise in performing site-based climate change vulnerability assessments has experience on climate change vulnerability assessments that includes physical projections, biological and social impacts from and responses to climate change. CI is conducting site-based climate change vulnerability assessments for a series of identified locations in the Neotropics and Afrotropics – including an in-depth assessment in partnership with the Universidad Pontifica Catolica de Chile for selected Chilean National Parks.
Mastercard Priceless Planet Coalition: Commitment to growing 100M Trees –As partners in the initiative, Conservation International (CI) and World Resources Institute (WRI) will develop a pipeline of high-quality restoration projects, guided by an annual plan that prioritizes projects and geographies with the greatest potential for positive impacts on climate, community, and biodiversity. CI and WRI will ensure plan implementation, deploy timely and accurate monitoring systems to track and report progress, and develop a suite of communications assets for use by the Priceless Planet Coalition Partners. The Priceless Planet Coalition 100 million trees commitment will set the bar for global restoration at scale, supporting its members in advancing their own sustainability initiatives and contributing to the achievement of global goals for people, nature and climate.
Outcome(s):
- Completed reports of climate change vulnerability for five identified conservation sites
- Completed in-depth assessment of climate change vulnerability for Chilean National Parks in the Los Lagos region.
- Completed interactive web analytical interface to perform basic climate change vulnerability assessment analytics on user-defined areas of interest.
- Completed methodology for global restoration site selection and flagship site evaluation (biodiversity component).
Expected internship dates will be March 16, 2021 to September 30, 2021.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Finalize site assessment reports
- Populate the existing report templates in draft with analytical results of the assessments using high-quality figures and maps.
- Identify and insert high-quality site-relevant images to be included in the report.
- Edit/proofread report text and finalize report formatting
Data preparation and analysis for Chile assessment sites
- Assemble and organize required data for the site assessments.
- Produce mapped or graphical summaries of analytical results.
- Specific analysis that will be coordinated by CI will include:
- Analysis of the physical dimensions of climate change (e.g. temperature, precipitation) and how those changes are realized spatially within the site.
- Analysis of biome-level change with the site.
- Modeling of species distributions for all species known to be present within the conservation site
- Mapping of dispersal pathways needed for species to respond to climate change
- Assessing the site’s role in regional or continental scale conservation of species and ecosystems under climate change.
- The vulnerability of the local communities, by understanding their livelihoods and how climate change is and will impact them
Data preparation for web based analytical tool
- Obtain/assemble relevant spatial datasets needed to produce the area-based climate change vulnerability metrics
- Reformat datasets as necessary to be compatible with the tool
- Provide input as the user experience of the tool as it is developed
Data preparation and analysis pursuant to Priceless Planet Coalition restoration sites
- Identify key data set and/or approaches to be incorporated in global site prioritization.
- Assist in the development and documentation of methodology employed
- Perform spatial analysis of identified flagship sites for key indicators of benefits/costs to biodiversity.
Other duties as assigned by supervisor
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Work will be remote – with possibility of meeting w/supervisor at UCSB campus pending COVID re-opening protocols. Schedule will be a minimum of 10 hours per week with possibility of additional hours on weekends or breaks.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Current student in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in environmental science, earth systems science, geography, biology, ecology or related field
- Technical writing
- Mapping/cartography (ArcGIS; QGIS; Google Earth Engine)
- Data analysis and graphing (e.g. R; Python)
- Spatial analysis (e.g. R; Python; Google Earth Engine)
- Data management and workflow documentation
Preferred
- Analysis involving climate change projection data
- Analysis involving land cover + land use change data
- Communication of climate change uncertainty
- Proficiency in Spanish
To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.
Application Deadline: March 5, 2021 (11:49 PM EST)
See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE
Conservation International Values
We expect that all employees will embrace the values of our organization.?
- Passion: Inspired by people and by nature, we are urgently compelled to drive change for a sustainable future.
- Integrity: We are honest, transparent and accountable for our actions.
- Teamwork: We work together as one CI,?recognizing that?inclusion, collaboration and?cooperation are?fundamental to achieving a?healthy and prosperous?world for all.
- Respect: We respect each other and work to earn trust, valuing our?diversity of cultures, talents, and experiences.
- Courage: We pursue our vision, taking bold action, persevering and overcoming challenges.
- Optimism: We are optimistic about the capacity of people to be caring, generous and brilliant, and believe that with partners, we can inspire humanity to create a better future.
Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Vets/Disabled
