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JOB TITLE: LandScope Research Assistant/Intern
SUPERVISOR: Content Lead, LandScope America
LOCATION: Arlington, Virginia (Rosslyn metro area)
DATE POSTED: January 2008

INSTITUTIONAL BACKGROUND:

NatureServe, a 501(c)(3) conservation science and technology organization, provides the scientific basis for effective conservation action. Together with our international network of over 80 natural heritage programs across the United States, Canada, and Latin America, we are the leading source of information on rare and endangered species and threatened ecosystems. We provide information and tools to conservation groups, government agencies, corporations, academia, and the public to help them make informed decisions about managing our natural resources. With nearly 100 staff and a $10 million annual budget, NatureServe is a recognized leader in the application of scientific information and advanced technology for conservation purposes.

NatureServe offers a results-oriented and collaborative workplace where a common mission provides focus and excitement and where staff is empowered to take ownership of projects and mission success. Benefits include a 401K savings and retirement plan; health and dental insurance; short and long-term disability; annual and sick leave; and life insurance.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The LandScope Research Assistant provides support to the team developing the LandScope America website (preview site at www.LandScope.org). This website is a joint venture of NatureServe and National Geographic that seeks to increase the scope and effectiveness of conservation in the U.S. through an interactive presentation of data, maps, and multimedia stories. The content team for LandScope is charged with identifying, acquiring, providing and producing the content that the primary user groups will expect to be part of the site. The position is based in Arlington, Virginia and will report to the content team lead in the Conservation Services Division at NatureServe.

The research assistant will support all aspects of content development for the LandScope America website, including communication with partners, data acquisition, writing and other assignments associated with developing web-accessible summaries. The research assistant will play a key role in helping NatureServe staff to research and reach out to potential data providers to help secure high-priority content, which may include technical spatial data, stories, essays, photos, literature, and other information. The content team will work with promising internship candidates to select specific project focus areas while working within the constraints of the top development priorities for LandScope’s late 2008 launch.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Identify a focus for your research and independently work on a high priority set of information to be turned in by the end of your internship for use on the website.
Set up weekly meeting with content team lead (and any other relevant partners) to formulate clear short term work plans each week.
Conduct directed literature searches for information on topics of value. Some high priority topics include ecosystem services (especially carbon storage, farmland, water quality, and ecosystem valuation), open space (recreational value), conservation priority schemes (such as state-based conservation plans), and threats to conservation nationally (development pressure, invasive species, etc.)
Provide concise written summaries that help the team understand the results of weekly research efforts as an aid in making decisions about national, regional, and state data integration and processing.
Communicate with potential partners who could be sources of data to determine details about availability of data and willingness to partner.
Maintain records of contacts with individuals and agencies in the contact management system for the project.
Assist content team leads as needed with acquiring spatial data and researching ways to help address questions that will be asked of the website by key user groups.
Assist senior online editor as needed with development of stories surrounding technical concepts that might be crafted for a lay audience as part of the website content.
As appropriate, assist the team with technical writing about ecosystems and landscapes in general, with a focus on representing and communicating these concepts to a general-interest audience

OTHER DESIRABLE SKILLS :

Ability to conceive of and implement independent collateral projects with minimal direct supervision.
Ability to translate scientific writing into compelling (and even entertaining) user-friendly text.
Basic to advanced proficiency in ArcGIS.
Basic to advanced proficiency in image- or media-related software.
Ability to communicate one-on-one and as part of a team.
Commitment to and enthusiasm about conservation in the U.S.
Willingness to think creatively and efficiently about pragmatic solutions.

CONTACT INFORMATION :

Please send resume and cover letter (must have) to:
Attn: Job #LAI8012
NatureServe
1101 Wilson Blvd., 15th Floor
Arlington, VA 22209
E-mail: jobs@natureserve.org (Please refer to Job #LAI8012 in subject line)

NATURESERVE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
www.natureserve.org

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