The Water Program in The Nature Conservancy of California spearheads innovative and collaborative initiatives to provide water where and when nature needs it in the context of a human altered water system. Its strategies are designed to develop and demonstrate solutions to major water challenges in California, and to “scale up” successful models through policy change and/or dissemination to effect conservation more broadly. Key to success is developing the science, policies, and tools to influence drivers of water use and management so that water can be more proactively and effectively distributed to meeting the varying needs of nature and people. To that end, the Program Associate helps manage core functions and processes of the Water Program. A principal responsibility is to coordinate public and private fundraising activities, including preparation, submission, and management of grants, in partnership with Program leadership and Philanthropy, Finance and Operations staffs. The Associate also helps facilitate annual planning, budgeting, and performance review cycles; administers contracts; manages core Program projects; facilitates team communications in multiple forms; and, serves as a liaison to other Program teams, and to other Conservancy departments such as external affairs, philanthropy, marketing, finance, and operations. The Associate reports to the Water Program Director.
The Water Program Associate:
- Coordinates with Philanthropy and Water Program staff on the Program’s public and private fundraising activities including assisting in proposal development, writing, reporting, and tracking deadlines; serves as a key liaison to Philanthropy staff
- Assists with contract management, including interacting with external parties to develop contracts, as needed, and manage contractors to ensure project success
- Tracks and coordinates Program deliverables related to annual planning, budgeting, and performance management cycles
- Coordinates with Marketing to track and identify media and strategic outreach opportunities
- Manages core Program projects and document file systems, as needed, using project management methodology; tracks deliverables for Program
- Conducts targeted research needed to further programmatic or fundraising goals
- Schedules, plans and prepares for team meetings and external meetings, as appropriate; helps facilitate and provide needed follow-up; and tracks deliverables and deadlines
- In coordination with other departments, curates Program’s conservation documents and products to increase efficiency in fundraising and communications
- Prepares and coordinates communications with stakeholders, partners and public agency staff to advance the goals of the Program, as directed
- With other Program Associates, assists with broader Conservation Programs & Science department coordination, meeting execution, and general support
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Supports Water Program leadership and staff to improve fundraising success for Program priorities
- Coordinates and in some cases, leads research and writing tasks for both internal and external audiences
- Coordinates the work of cross-functional, cross-divisional teams towards a desired outcome
- Works closely with Program Associates in other Programs to continually improve support across Conservation Programs and increase efficiency; identifies and executes process improvements
- Works closely with operations and finance staff to complement support provided through those functions
- Supports Water Program staff in the development of strategic communication materials including communication plans and materials (e.g. briefs, messaging, talking points, video, web, social media content)
- Plans, schedules, manages and helps facilitate team and partner meetings and events
- Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and judgment.
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Experience managing and tracking multiple projects
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree and 2 years’ experience in natural resource management or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation
- Knowledge of water conservation issues in California
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of and/or experience in fundraising and/or grant writing and grant administration
- Experience in communications and outreach including developing and/or managing the development of materials e.g., websites, brochures, factsheets, infographics, social media posts
- Basic understanding of The Nature Conservancy’s mission and its niche in the conservation field
- Skills in building and managing relationships with internal stakeholders and, at times, diverse partners, e.g., media, government officials, non-governmental organizations and scientists.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.