Senior Specialist, Science and Innovation Programs (Space)

National Geographic Society•Washington, DC

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

The National Geographic Society is seeking a Senior Specialist to join its Science & Innovation Programs team. This role will support the Society's mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world by funding and managing programs in science, education, and storytelling. The team oversees funding for research, conservation, and technology, develops mission programs, and establishes partnerships. With a new focus on planetary health and space, in addition to existing priorities in ocean, wildlife, land, and human histories & cultures, the Society is expanding its portfolio. The Senior Specialist will primarily support grants and programs in one of these focus areas (Ocean, Wildlife, Space, or Planetary Health) and provide support across other areas as needed. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated competence in wildlife conservation, ocean conservation, or expertise aligning with planetary health or space. The role involves supporting programmatic needs, developing Requests for Proposals (RFPs), evaluating grants, providing customer service to National Geographic Explorers (grantees), and adapting to evolving team needs. A deep curiosity, proactive and collaborative mindset, strong accountability, and willingness to take on new challenges are essential. The position will contribute to the Society's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in science including one or more of the following: environmental science, biology, ocean science, engineering, space science related disciplines, or related fields required.
4+ years of relevant experience in one or more of the following: research, science, conservation, sustainability or related fields.
Understanding of the scientific method and ability to understand and evaluate technical material.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to work with individuals and groups at all levels.
Ability to work on multiple projects, under deadlines, with changing priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Ability to manage tasks and responsibilities that span multiple teams.
Must be able to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
Positive attitude with proactive approach.
Excellent organizational skills.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience working on wildlife or ocean related science or conservation preferred.
Experience working on programs or partnerships at a non-profit in the environment or sustainability sector is also preferred.
Experience with GoogleDocs suite, Microsoft Office suite, Slack, Miro and Airtable.
Ability to compile information from disparate sources (literature review, interviews and conversations, first-hand accounts, etc.) and produce condensed, topline messaging and/or recommendations.
Experience speaking in front of small and large audiences and putting together reports for many different types of audiences.
Experience working with local communities and stakeholders is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Support the team in the strategic development and adaptive management of the focus area’s portfolio.
Understand relevant field(s), stay networked and informed on emerging trends, and scan for gaps and opportunities in the focus area’s portfolio and on other topics as requested.
Assist the Science and Innovation Programs leadership in researching and scoping potential new priority areas and/or partnerships.
Support the development of research and conservation Requests for Proposals in the designated focus area and other focus areas as assigned.
Participate in internal strategic discussions as well as cross-division working groups.
Provide programmatic support across Science and Innovation Programs.
Collaborate within and across teams to seek, evaluate, fund, and manage Level 1 and Level 2 grants and grantees within both the designated focus area and other focus areas as assigned, ensuring alignment with NGS’s strategic plan and programmatic priorities.
Under supervision, oversee scientific aspects of grants including development, recruitment, proposal review, developing new RFPs (requests for proposals), contributing to the definition of our science and grantmaking priorities, and coordination of internal and external expert review.
Develop and maintain strong, positive and empathetic relationships with prospective and active Explorers.
Act as primary contact for Explorers leading Level 1 grants, and serve as an internal subject matter expert on these projects, including understanding the context in which they occur.
Communicate with Explorers to stay apprised of new discoveries, high profile academic publications, and/or media-friendly results that should be elevated and coordinate internally through established processes for review and amplification.
Identifies and interprets internal/external issues; elevates issues/inefficiencies where appropriate; recommends solutions, best practices, tools, and improvements needed; supports development and utilization of new/streamlined processes and refinement of current processes.
Organizes data and implements data best practices, performs research, data validation, and manipulation; works with team members to create NGS forms, reports, campaigns, and dashboards to visualize program impact; summarizes data and metrics for use in divisional reporting and analysis.
Assists with managing projects and schedules, notifies relevant parties of approaching deadlines and helps to keep all projects on track, including updating schedules, project tracker, and other relevant documents.
Supports leadership with budget creation and tracking.
Supports internal operations, including but not limited to assisting with contracts, legal, presentation preparation, invoices, mailings, travel and logistics, maintaining shared calendars and shared documentation, and other administrative tasks as needed.
Develop and maintain strong positive and empathetic working relationships with other NGS divisions and external teams to maximize impact and reach.
Supports leadership in establishing and advancing cross-division collaborations and initiatives.
Reviews grant and project related materials and provide approval on behalf of program to external partners, NGP and internal divisions.
May represent Science & Innovation at external meetings, convenings, conferences, events, etc.

Benefits

medical, dental, and vision insurance
engaging and comprehensive wellness program
401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment
flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year)
10 days of sick leave
12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31
paid parental leave
adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement
fertility benefits
learning and development opportunities
Lifestyle Spending Account
pet adoption assistance and insurance
pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy
employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit
a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks