The Director of Gulf Ecology (Director) will work as part of a team to develop and implement Audubon’s conservation plan and on-the-ground restoration for the Gulf of Mexico. This person will play a leadership role in helping Audubon identify and prioritize sites for restoration and conservation along the coast, coordinate multi-state and Gulf-wide funding for restoration of these sites, and serve as Audubon’s science lead, in coordination with the national science team and field-based scientists, for Gulf Coast efforts.
The Director leads Audubon’s work to enhance Gulf bird habitat restoration and conservation on coastal sites through developing and applying regional and Gulf-wide habitat restoration and management plans, and coordinating Gulf funding efforts with Audubon State Offices and Gulf chapters on federal and state funding resulting from the BP Oil Spill (i.e., National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Natural Resources Damage Assessment Funds, and the RESTORE Act), Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, and other federal, state, foundation and corporate funding opportunities. This position will work closely with federal and state natural resource and wildlife agencies, civic organizations such as coastal conservation partners, and individual landowners to meet these goals. The geographic focus is the entire Gulf of Mexico, including Mexico, in coordination with the International Alliances Program.
The ideal candidate for this position will have applied ecology and on-the-ground coastal restoration experience in terms of planning, design, construction and monitoring of coastal restoration projects. The candidate should have wildlife conservation experience, proven ability to work with a variety of partners, ability to direct complex projects, skills to communicate and work with private landowners, and a passion for science-based coastal conservation and restoration.
This position may either be located in one of our Gulf offices or remotely in the following states: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama or Texas.
- Under the supervision of the Vice President for the Gulf Coast and Mississippi Flyway in close coordination with the Vice President for Gulf Coast Policy, direct efforts to identify, prioritize, apply and implement resources and strategies to strengthen region-specific bird-friendly coastal restoration and conservation programs and delivery, and both grant and contract management to achieve these goals.
- Working with Audubon’s coastal leadership staff and Gulf Coast State Offices, Centers, and chapters, and the Vice President for Gulf Coast Policy, in particular, identify key strategies including RESTORE Act, NFWF, and NRDA-related funding that will increase the science capacity to further goals of Gulf Coast restoration and conservation and full life-cycle conservation of resident and migratory Gulf Coast birds and other wildlife.
- Using region specific bird-friendly restoration and other habitat protocols, develop and implement regional habitat management plans that provide essential habitat needs for targeted Gulf Coast bird species.
- Work with scientists, partners and Audubon staff Gulf State offices, centers, national science and policy teams, and the Audubon network (e.g., chapters) to achieve research goals and communicate results widely to appropriate audiences including: monitoring of bird populations, coastal habitats, vegetation, and other natural resources.
- Apply the best available science to further the acquisition of knowledge to inform restoration strategies for habitats including, but not limited to, barrier islands, shorelines, coastal marshes and forests, and open ocean habitats. Provide scientific input to the research efforts within Audubon’s overall Coastal Program.
- Develop and maintain relationships with partners, including but not limited to the U.S. Departments of Interior, Commerce, Agriculture; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Environmental Protection Agency, staff of the RESTORE Council and NRDA trustees, the Water Institute of the Gulf, and relevant state agencies.
- Serve as Audubon’s scientific representative on the Gulf Renewal Program in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation, the Environmental Defense Fund, the Nature Conservancy, and the Ocean Conservancy.
- With the support and direction of the Director of Communications, Mississippi River Delta Program, raise brand awareness about Audubon’s Gulf Coast Restoration and Conservation Program to targeted audiences through printed, spoken, and electronic media outreach channels.
- Host workshops with agency, NGO, and landowners to both gather and disseminate information.
- Familiarity with coastal systems and environments and their interaction with birds or other wildlife. Bird life-cycle knowledge desired.
- Knowledge and appreciation of the people, values, and current restoration, coastal resilience, and conservation.
- Experience applying the best available science and other information to achieve conservation outcomes.
- Ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information for a non-technical audience, with effective communication skills reaching both scientific audiences as well as the general public.
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills with experience in grant writing and working with the press preferred.
- Effective interpersonal skills—ability to motivate people to action.
- Demonstrated skills applying a range of field data collection techniques and experience with research, data management, and basic statistical analysis are desired.
- Demonstrated ability to identify birds by sight and sound preferred.
- A working knowledge of ArcView/ArcInfo or other GIS technology preferred.
- Ability to operate Windows-based computers.
- Willing to conduct Gulf-wide travel, occasional out-of-state travel and be comfortable with working evenings and weekends as job responsibilities demand.
- Valid driver's license is necessary.
- Demonstrated interest in and a commitment to coastal restoration and conservation advocacy.