Director, Conservation Technology

DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE

POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Director, Conservation Technology

SALARY: $143,000 - $155,000

FLSA: Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Center for Conservation Innovation

LOCATION: Headquarters, Washington, DC

REPORTS TO: VP, Conservation Research and Innovation

NUMBER OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT REPORT(S): 2

LAST REVISED: June 2026

POSITION SUMMARY

Rapid advances in technology, from satellite remote sensing to artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, are transforming our ability to understand and protect wildlife. The Center for Conservation Innovation (CCI) at Defenders of Wildlife is seeking an innovative and collaborative leader to serve as Director of Conservation Technology and help harness these advances to scale conservation impact.

Reporting to the Vice President of Conservation Research and Innovation, the Director is a leader within CCI responsible for guiding Defenders’ efforts to leverage data science, technology, and innovation to advance species recovery, conservation planning, conservation monitoring, and evaluation of conservation outcomes. They will lead, develop, and work alongside a small team of scientists and developers applying environmental data science, artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and other emerging technologies to strengthen wildlife conservation. This includes setting the team’s strategic direction and overseeing the development of innovative analytical approaches, decision-support tools, and technology-enabled conservation solutions.

Working closely with Defenders’ field, policy, and legal staff, as well as agency partners and other conservation practitioners, the Director will identify priority challenges and opportunities for innovation. Serving as a bridge between conservation practitioners and the research and technology communities, they will help identify, adapt, and deploy practical solutions that improve conservation outcomes and integrate them into Defenders’ legal, policy, and field-based efforts.

The ideal candidate is an ambitious, entrepreneurial, and creative leader driven by the opportunity to translate data and emerging technologies into real-world conservation solutions. They are a strategic thinker and effective communicator with experience leading interdisciplinary teams, building partnerships, and connecting conservation challenges with practical, high-impact technology solutions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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.
• Supervises and mentors a small team of scientists, application developers, and occasional volunteers, providing guidance, professional development, and accountability for successful project delivery.
• Ensures direction from Defenders’ leadership, including the VP, is shared with and contextualized for supervisees.

Leads Defenders’ data science and conservation technology program:

• 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.
• Serves as a bridge between conservation practitioners and the research and technology communities, connecting priority conservation challenges with innovative analytical and technology solutions.
• Advances organizational approaches, partnerships, and policies that support the responsible use and scaling of innovative conservation technologies.

Develops and delivers data-driven conservation solutions:

• Prototypes, develops, and deploys innovative tools, analyses, monitoring and evaluation systems, and decision-support resources that address wildlife conservation needs.
• Creates dashboards, visualizations, online applications, and other resources that communicate findings and support conservation practitioners.
• Translates technical concepts and findings for diverse audiences through communications, advocacy materials, media engagement, and public outreach.

Builds partnerships and advances collaboration:

• Cultivates partnerships with conservation organizations, government agencies, Tribal partners, technology companies, and other stakeholders to advance shared conservation goals.
• Represents Defenders at meetings, conferences, trainings, and other forums to share innovative approaches, strengthen partnerships, and facilitate adoption of CCI work products.

Travel Requirements: up to 5% of the time.

Perform all other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g. masters) required; PhD preferred

Experience: At least 8 years of relevant experience, including at least 3 years managing staff and leading complex interdisciplinary projects.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders

https://defenders.org/knowledge-skills-and-abilities

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Director of Conservation Technology

Required skills:

1. Demonstrated experience applying data science, geospatial analysis, computational methods, software development, or related disciplines to address conservation planning, recovery, or monitoring challenges.
2. Ability to listen to conservation practitioners, identify opportunities for innovation, and connect real-world challenges with practical, scalable analytical and technology-enabled solutions.
3. Experience leading and developing technical teams, including supervising staff and managing applied research, analytical, or technology programs.
4. 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.
5. Experience building partnerships and collaborating effectively with conservation practitioners, agencies, Tribal partners, academic institutions, technology organizations, and other stakeholders.
6. Knowledge of the U.S. Endangered Species Act and other federal and state conservation policies relevant to species conservation, recovery, and management.
7. Strong strategic planning and project management skills, including the ability to prioritize opportunities, align technical work with organizational goals, and manage multiple initiatives.
8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical concepts and analytical findings for decision-makers, practitioners, policymakers, and the public.

A list of our benefits can be found on our website's job page at https://defenders.org/about/jobs.