Conservation Technical Support Engineer

Do you love the natural world and want to apply your technical expertise to a product that directly impacts endangered species, vital landscapes, and critical ecosystems? At EarthRanger, you don't have to choose between a fulfilling technical career and a deeply meaningful calling. Imagine empowering wildlife and conservation professionals across Africa and Europe, and potentially other regions, to combat poaching, monitor diverse animal populations, protect vital natural habitats, and foster human-wildlife coexistence.

About EarthRanger: EarthRanger, a critical software solution from Ai2 (Allen Institute for AI), equips conservationists with the tools to make informed operational decisions. Our platform integrates real-time data from over 100 hardware sensors (animal trackers, radios, vehicles, etc.), ranger patrols, and remote imaging to provide unparalleled visibility and analysis of conservation efforts across diverse landscapes and seascapes. We are at the forefront of preventing poaching, fighting deforestation, promoting ecosystem health, and advocating for wildlife and land protection globally. With over 800 protected areas worldwide leveraging EarthRanger – from the Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya to the Prey Lang Forest in Cambodia, and supporting efforts like white shark studies in New Zealand – your work will directly contribute to saving endangered species, vital habitats, and the planet's biodiversity.

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As a Conservation Technical Support Engineer, you'll be crucial in ensuring our partners effectively leverage EarthRanger to protect wildlife and ecosystems. Your responsibilities will include:

• Partner Relationship & Success:
  
  • Serve as a primary technical contact for conservation organizations across Africa and Europe, building strong relationships and understanding their unique challenges.
  • Collaborate closely with the Partnership Manager and internal teams to ensure seamless support delivery.
  • Proactively engage partners to maximize their use of EarthRanger and ensure their success.

• Technical Implementation & Support:
  • Lead the technical setup, configuration, and optimization of EarthRanger for new and existing partners.
  • Provide expert troubleshooting and resolution for field-level technical issues, meticulously documenting all support interactions.
  • Continuously enhance your understanding of how web technologies function from a troubleshooting and product understanding perspective, along with the latest conservation technologies.
• Training & Enablement:
  • Develop and deliver comprehensive training sessions on EarthRanger's capabilities to users with diverse technical backgrounds, ranging from one-on-one coaching to formal presentations.
  • Contribute to the creation of accessible training materials in various formats and languages.
• Project Management & Communication:
  • Define project scopes with partners, develop detailed implementation plans, and manage follow-through with external stakeholders.
  • Maintain clear, consistent communication with partners at all organizational levels, providing timely updates on project status, challenges, and resolutions.
  • Act as a vital feedback loop, relaying product usage insights and partner needs to our Development, Documentation, and Support teams to drive continuous improvement.

• Passion & Purpose: A deep love for the natural world and a strong commitment to its protection.
• Communication Excellence: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English. Proficiency in one or more additional languages relevant to Africa or Europe (e.g., French, Portuguese, Spanish) is highly desirable.
• Technical Acumen: Strong background in supporting and troubleshooting web and mobile technologies, with an emphasis on understanding their operational aspects for effective product support.
• Execution & Follow-Through: Extremely well-organized with a proven ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and ensure thorough follow-through on commitments.
• Autonomous & Adaptable: A self-starter who thrives in a remote, independent work environment with minimal supervision and is eager to learn and adapt to new product developments and conservation practices.
• Location: Reside in South Africa, with the ability to work remotely and undertake required travel to partner sites across Africa, Europe, and other global regions as needed.

While not strictly required, candidates with the following skills will be particularly competitive:

• Data Analysis & Scripting:
  • Proficiency in Python scripting for data manipulation, automation, or custom integrations.
  • Experience working with SQL databases for querying, data extraction, and understanding data structures.
• Web Technologies: Hands-on experience with web-based product development tools, including Chrome Developer Tools, JSON, and REST APIs, primarily for troubleshooting and understanding data flow.
• Geospatial Expertise: Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software like QGIS or ArcGIS for spatial data analysis and visualization.