The Conservation Practitioner IV develops, manages and advances coastal and marine conservation projects, plans and methods for small to medium scale geographic areas. The position will be part of the Coastal Team in Alabama which implements watershed and coastal restoration projects to reduce shoreline erosion and improve the condition of coastal habitats and estuaries in Mobile Bay and along the coast. The Coastal Program also supports broad partnerships by providing planning support, advancing large grants, and developing new analysis tools to ensure that projects benefit the environment, economy, and local communities.
The Conservation Practitioner IV (CPIV) provides technical leadership and support to a business unit and plans and directs coastal and marine restoration projects, including permitting and contracting, monitoring activities, and land stewardship activities. The CPIV addresses critical threats to natural systems and individual species, fosters cross-site learning among conservation community, and supplies conservation planning teams with site or landscape level information relevant to the planning process. The CPIV develops and implements conservation strategies and employs a full range of protection tools to acquire varying degrees of legal interest in land and implements a variety of strategies to secure public and private support for TNC conservation priorities. The CPIV coordinates community support, coordinates multiple projects, sets deadlines, and manages completion. As part of this team, the CPIV will assist with grant writing, management, and reporting; participate in all aspects of data collection and fieldwork; coordinate with local, state, federal, and private partners; and engage local communities and private landowners in coastal restoration actions. CPIV is expected to work with the Philanthropy and External Affairs teams to provide expertise to donors and elected officials when necessary to advance conservation goals.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
- Executes and manages projects and monitoring tasks in a timely manner.
- Supervises technical, administrative and professional staff with responsibility for performance management, training and development.
- Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
- Works in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Experience managing staff or volunteers.
- Experience working in a team atmosphere with multiple stakeholders on multi-component collaborative projects.
- Relationship building skills to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., media, government officials, internal scientists.
- Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
- Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
- Must have valid driver's license and good driving record, as well as AL Boat Operations Endorsement.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated
- 3-5 years’ experience in natural resource management, similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience working on restoration projects that require Federal and State regulations and permitting.
- Experience managing engineers and contractors to carry out specific project tasks in a timely manner.
- Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
- Familiarity with principles of land acquisition or similar asset acquisition.
- Knowledge of ecological resource management principles.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, coastal restoration, and natural resource conservation.
- Familiarity with ArcGIS application and GPS equipment and software.
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.