Lead Mycologist

About NatureServe

For 50 years, NatureServe has been the authoritative source for biodiversity data throughout North America. With an international network of over 60 Natural Heritage Programs and Conservation Data Centers across the United States and Canada (“the Network”), NatureServe is the leading source of information on rare and endangered species and the ecosystems on which North American species depend.

To protect threatened biodiversity, NatureServe works with over 1,000 conservation scientists to collect, aggregate, and standardize biodiversity statistics, providing comprehensive data to the public for strategic conservation efforts. NatureServe and its network programs develop and manage the most comprehensive data for over 100,000 species and ecosystems, answering fundamental questions about what the critical elements of biodiversity are, where they are found, and how they are doing.

About The Role

NatureServe is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Mycologist to join our team of botanists, data managers, and ranking experts. The Lead Mycologist and Lead Botanist will collaborate to advance and oversee the collective efforts of this team. The Lead Mycologist provides strategic direction for developing scientific methods, data, analyses, and information products designed to promote the lasting conservation of North American fungi. The Lead Mycologist guides efforts to develop, document, and maintain the most current and robust data on the taxonomy, conservation status, distribution, and conservation requirements of fungal species and is responsible for assuring the accuracy, completeness, currency and scientific validity of NatureServe's fungal information. The Lead Mycologist promotes high-quality, consistent, and current data by fostering collaboration and communication among NatureServe botanists, mycologists, and data managers across the NatureServe Network, government agencies, academic institutions, private sector entities, and other conservation organizations. They also collaborate with these partners to provide expert conservation services and produce information products and publications to support the application of our data to meet their conservation goals.

The Lead Mycologist is responsible for determining and articulating the long- and short-term goals of NatureServe's mycology program. They also contribute to implementation of the organization’s strategic plan by initiating and managing mycology projects, budgets, and staff. This position leads outreach, business development, and philanthropic activities related to fungi and plant conservation.

What You'll Do

• Build collaborative relationships with mycologists in NatureServe Network partner programs, the North American Mycological Association, Fungal Diversity Survey, and professional and amateur mycological organizations.
• Connect people and organizations to accelerate the integration of fungi into conservation practices.
• Integrate the most complete and up-to-date distribution and taxonomic information for fungi into NatureServe Explorer, NatureServe's online guide to North America’s biodiversity, and the conservation communities go-to and freely available source for conservation status information.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve the accuracy and completeness of NatureServe’s fungal data. Update conservation status ranks for lichenized fungi and rank non-lichenized fungi for the first time.
• Engage in and lead collaborative research projects to address urgent knowledge and methods gaps in fungal biodiversity.
• Serve as an expert resource for NatureServe Network partners and other organizations that want to incorporate fungi into their conservation and management practices but lack the expertise.
• Analyze existing fungal data and learn how it is being used across the NatureServe Network to begin establishing benchmarks against which NatureServe can measure progress.
• Collaborate with key national and international organizations, federal agencies, professional societies, academic institutions, and other global conservation initiatives such as the IUCN Species Survival Commission.
• Raise public and private funds to support NatureServe's botany and mycology activities.
• Develop and grow the mycology program.
• Oversee and manage projects and contracts; recruit, hire, train, and supervise staff as the program builds.
• Working with a team of scientists and software developers from NatureServe and partner organizations, re-establish and maintain an up-to-date taxonomic backbone for fungi and improve our taxonomic nomenclature and concept alignment services to facilitate data integration from the NatureServe Network and other sources.
• Engage Network scientists and additional experts and improve processes to enhance our capacity to assess the conservation status of fungi using the NatureServe and IUCN Red List Assessments methodologies.
• Support NatureServe Network program botanists and mycologists to collect and manage standardized fungal information.
• Develop and carry out projects designed to maintain and advance the organization's fungal data holdings including taxonomy, conservation status, threats, distribution, population viability and mapping.
• Supervise or co-supervise interns and volunteers in mycology, if applicable, and oversee their projects and work assignments
  
  

Qualifications

Required Experience

• Advanced degree in microbiology, biological sciences, applied botany or similar field.
• Advanced degree in microbiology, biological sciences, applied botany or similar field.
• At least five years’ post-degree work experience working in a government or nonprofit biological or conservation agency or academic program.
• At least two years of field experience on botanical or mycological projects in the United States or Canada, which may have taken place during graduate studies.
• Demonstrated track record in securing external project funding, engaging with clients and donors, and developing project budgets and written proposals.
• Experience writing papers published in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience managing complex projects, meeting deadlines, and delivering high-quality results.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and to work cooperatively and productively with geographically dispersed professional scientists and conservationists.
• Excellent English writing and editing skills and keen attention to detail.
  
  

Preferred Experience

• A PhD in microbiology, biological sciences, applied botany or similar field in application to mycology is preferred.
• Experience with natural heritage data and methods and the NatureServe Biotics database.
• Expertise in managing and analyzing large biodiversity datasets.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel independently within the US and internationally to attend meetings and workshops with partners and others.
• Ability to converse verbally and in writing with others regarding organizational goals and needs.
• Ability to use organizational technology.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions of the role.
  
  

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $85,000 - $100,000 based on experience.

NatureServe offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including: Health care coverage; Flexible spending accounts (FSAs); 401(k) plan with a 6% employer match; Parental leave; Accrued sick and vacation time; Floating holidays; Life insurance and disability coverage; Employee assistance program (EAP); Additional benefits to support life and workplace well-being.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mission Statement

NatureServe commits to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where people feel they belong and are welcomed and valued for their unique views and the ways in which their identities are expressed.

The Pay Range For This Role Is

85,000 - 100,000 USD per year(Remote)