Director of Science, California Water Program
Quick answer
The Nature Conservancy is hiring a remote Science Director for the California Water Program paying $128,000–$275,500 to provide strategic leadership and manage scientific initiatives for freshwater conservation.
- Role
- Director of Science, California Water Program
- Organization
- The Nature Conservancy
- Location
- Remote, California
- Work setup
- Remote
- Level
- Senior
- Compensation
- $128,000 - $275,500 per year
- Category
- Programs & Operations
- Apply by
- 2026-06-28
The role
The Nature Conservancy is hiring a Science Director to lead its Freshwater Program in California. The successful candidate will provide strategic, technical, and scientific leadership to a multidisciplinary team focused on surface water and groundwater conservation initiatives. This role involves advancing research, fostering partnerships with academia and government, and effectively representing the organization's scientific mission to diverse stakeholders. The director will also oversee grant development, budgets, and the professional growth of science staff.
What you'll do
- Develop innovative scientific strategies and products to advance conservation goals.
- Lead, manage, and mentor a multidisciplinary team of science staff.
- Foster external partnerships with academia, government, and non-profit sectors.
- Represent the organization as a freshwater science expert to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Oversee grant proposals, research monitoring, and project budgets.
What it takes
- Ph.D. in a science-related field plus 8 years of relevant experience.
- Proven experience in supervisory leadership and team performance management.
- Strong track record of original research and peer-reviewed scientific publications.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising, grant writing, and research proposal development.
- Extensive experience in California socio-ecological and freshwater conservation issues.
What you'll bring
Frequently asked questions
Is this position remote?
Yes, this is a remote position based in California.
What is the salary range for this role?
The compensation ranges from $128,000 to $275,500 per year, depending on the candidate's specific geographical location within California.
What are the core qualifications needed?
Candidates need a Ph.D. in a science-related field, 8 years of experience, and a strong background in scientific research, team leadership, and fundraising.
When is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm PST on June 28, 2026.
How to apply
Apply directly on The Nature Conservancy'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 The Nature Conservancy's official posting before applying.