Director, Conservation Technology
Quick answer
Defenders of Wildlife is hiring a Senior Director, Conservation Technology (Washington, DC) with a salary range of $143,000 - $155,000 per year to lead a team of scientists and technologists in leveraging data science and technology for wildlife conservation.
- Role
- Director, Conservation Technology
- Organization
- Defenders of Wildlife
- Location
- Washington, DC
- Work setup
- On-site
- Level
- Senior
- Compensation
- $143,000 - $155,000 per year
- Category
- Other
The role
The Director, Conservation Technology at Defenders of Wildlife is responsible for leading a team of scientists and technologists to leverage data science, technology, and innovation to advance wildlife conservation. This role involves strategic planning, project management, and building partnerships with various stakeholders.
What you'll do
- Leads and develops a team of scientists and technologists.
- Oversees the planning, prioritization, and execution of the technology team’s portfolio of projects and initiatives.
- Guides Defenders' approach to data science and emerging technologies, identifying opportunities and helping prioritize investments and applications that advance conservation goals and align with organizational priorities.
- Develops and delivers data-driven conservation solutions.
- Builds partnerships and advances collaboration.
- Represents Defenders at meetings, conferences, trainings, and other forums to share innovative approaches, strengthen partnerships, and facilitate adoption of CCI work products.
What it takes
- Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., masters) required; PhD preferred.
- At least 8 years of relevant experience, including at least 3 years managing staff and leading complex interdisciplinary projects.
- Demonstrated experience applying data science, geospatial analysis, computational methods, software development, or related disciplines to address conservation planning, recovery, or monitoring challenges.
- Ability to listen to conservation practitioners, identify opportunities for innovation, and connect real-world challenges with practical, scalable analytical and technology-enabled solutions.
- Experience leading and developing technical teams, including supervising staff and managing applied research, analytical, or technology programs.
- Technical expertise in GIS, R/Python, large and complex datasets, cloud-based platforms, remote sensing imagery, and data visualization tools. Experience evaluating and applying artificial intelligence is highly desirable.
What you'll bring
Frequently asked questions
Where is the job located?
The job is located in Washington, DC.
What is the compensation?
The compensation is $143,000 - $155,000 per year.
What are the key qualifications required?
Key qualifications include an advanced degree in a relevant field, at least 8 years of relevant experience, and demonstrated experience applying data science and geospatial analysis.
How do I apply?
Please apply on the Defenders of Wildlife website at https://defenders.org/about/jobs, indicating that you are responding to the posting on Conservation Job Board.
Is the job remote?
The job is in-office.
How to apply
Apply directly on Defenders of Wildlife's site. We link straight through — no resume parsing, no profile to fill out.
This listing is aggregated from a third-party source and its summary may be auto-generated, so details can be inaccurate or out of date. ForGood is not the employer and is not liable for the content — please verify everything on Defenders of Wildlife's official posting before applying.