Conservation Manager at Hailey

Job Description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The Conservation Manager provides strategic vision and leadership for the Conservancy’s conservation programs primarily in central Idaho and similar conservation initiatives as may become priorities. S/he establishes priority landscape-scale land and water conservation goals in the central Idaho region, with a special emphasis on the Upper Salmon and the Southern Pioneers.  The Conservation Manager develops strategies and uses the full range of conservation tools to achieve priority goals, including strategic partnerships, land acquisitions, community collaboratives and land stewardship projects. S/he will develop strong working relationships with private landowners, business and community leaders, elected officials, community organizations, land trusts and public agencies to implement and finance these efforts. The Conservation Manager leads and is a team member of project teams empowered to achieve conservation initiatives throughout Idaho.  S/he works with staff, trustees, and partners to generate financial support for the Conservancy’s programs.

 

In addition the Conservation Manager has one or more of the following functions:

• Works closely with science and stewardship staff to plan and implement land management programs, restoration projects and science initiatives within the central Idaho region
• Addresses critical threats to natural systems and individual species
• Fosters cross-site learning among the conservation community
• Works with TNC’s government relations team, other staff and partners to affect policy outcomes at the local, state and national level
• Implements a variety of strategies to secure public and private support for TNC conservation priorities, with a special emphasis on public and private grant writing
• Builds and coordinates community support for conservation projects
• Manages projects of high complexity, often simultaneously, engaging internal and external teams

 

 

COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:

• Coordinates multiple projects with several variables, setting realistic deadlines and managing timeframes
• Interprets guidelines, evaluates information, and modifies processes to adapt to changing circumstances
• Compiles data, resolves disparities, and modifies processes to generate plans
• Resolves routine issues independently, consulting with supervisor to develop plans for resolution of complex and unusual problems
• Cultivates and develops creative ideas to improve conservation strategies
• Applies diversified knowledge of scientific principles and practices to a variety of assignments
• Negotiates complex agreements in political environments
• Identifies and disseminates lessons learned, best practices and methods, tools and alignment of work with strategic plans
• Ensures program accountability and legal compliance

 

DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:

• Ability to make sound decisions for TNC is the following areas (legal, financial, conservation, reputation)
• Makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and judgment
• Performs tasks with minimal supervision

 

RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT – FINANCIAL AND SUPERVISORY:

• Will need to gain cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals
• Financial responsibility includes working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development, and meeting fundraising targets.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements
• Establish and maintain optimal standards of performance for the department or program while controlling costs and administering budgets.
• Responsible for ensuring that public and private funds are raised to meet program needs.
• May oversee volunteers or workgroups but does not currently supervise any staff.

 

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:

• Network with diverse groups, including land owners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the general public to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy efforts.
• Provide a variety of information to staff and others, contributing to conservation projects and assisting workflow throughout the organization.
• Work and communicate effectively with a diverse group of people, including scientists, preserve staff, and others, providing and obtaining needed information.
• Collaborate with a wide range of conservation partners to identify research needs, present technical concepts at national or international conferences, and support fieldwork.
• Provide training for internal and external colleagues on ecological and conservational scientific principles.
• Ability to simplify and explain the principles of conservation science and practices to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Communicate strategic project goals and objectives.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

The Conservation Manager may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions:

• May require considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain
• Present possibility of injury
• Require long hours in isolated settings

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Requirements

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS, law or business degree and a minimum of 5 years experience in natural resource management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience negotiating complex multiparty agreements.
• Experience leading teams to achieve specific outcomes. 
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, Web browsers, etc.
• Experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Experience writing, managing and reporting on public and private grants.
• Must have valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• BA/BS, law or business degree and at least 5-7 years experience in natural resource management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to make sound decisions on legal, financial, conservation and reporting issues 
• Knowledge of land management conservation practice and conservation science
• Experience explaining conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities
• Ability to communicate and work closely with scientists
• Working with media and influential officials, especially governmental, to improve Conservancy programs’ outcomes and policy
• Knowledge of politics and society with respect to environmental affairs
• Familiarity with principles of land acquisition
• Knowledge of ecological land management principles
• Knowledge of aquatic ecosystems and rangeland management is desirable
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and natural resource preservation
• Demonstrated experience communicating effectively with the public and/or media
• Completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s)
• Managing time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g.; Word, Excel, Web browsers, GIS). 
• Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English.

Country: USA, State: Idaho, City: Hailey, Company: The Nature Conservancy.