With a 92-year presence on the Texas Gulf Coast, Audubon Texas manages a system of more than 179 island sanctuaries on which the majority of Texas’s waterbirds depend for their survival. This position offers an exciting opportunity for a qualified conservation leader to lead an important program to further coastal bird conservation efforts in Texas, and build the capacity of the Audubon organization to achieve great conservation both in Texas and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. The Coastal Program Manager for Audubon Texas will lead the development of coastal conservation objectives and implementation of coastal conservation projects throughout the Texas Coast.
They will work with the Director of Conservation Strategy to ensure that goals and objectives align with that of the National Audubon Society, Gulf Coast Initiative, and other strategic priority programs/projects. This position will collaborate with Audubon chapters, other state Audubon offices and external partners such as TX General Land Office, US Fish and Wildlife, Texas Parks and Wildlife, NGOs, universities, local, regional, other state and federal agencies.
This position will play a critical role in our overall state conservation strategy by ensuring Audubon Texas is working collectively with partners to improve and encourage coastal conservation efforts along the entire Texas coast. This person will supervise coastal conservation staff, contractors, interns, and volunteers, and will work closely with the Director of Conservation Strategy, Director of Policy, and the State Director to keep information on coastal species and habitat needs and status flowing throughout the Audubon network.
Planning
- Work with Director of Conservation Strategy and Coastal Conservation partners to plan and execute current and future coast wide conservation/restoration projects including those within the Audubon Gulf Restoration Plan.
- Work with agencies and other coastal partners to develop science and needs-based restoration strategies/projects that improve the health of the state’s coastal and marine resources and ecosystem services. Special emphasis will be made on colonial waterbird populations and their habitats. All should contribute and support Audubon’s conservation mission and goals.
- Work to expand our Texas Estuarine Resource Network (TERN) reach by working to understand and develop citizen science and education and outreach needs that support not only Audubon coastal conservation work but help meet the needs of agency, university, and other coastal partners.
- With support from the Director of Conservation Strategy, incorporate and implement program strategies from Audubon Texas Strategic Conservation Planning (including Working Lands, Water, Climate, and Bird Friendly Communities strategies/programs).
- Working closely with the Director of Policy, inform and participate in Audubon Texas policy implementation including networking with and being a resource to elected officials and policy/decision makers along the Texas Coast.
Program Management
- Supervise Coastal Conservation Program staff, contractors, interns, and volunteers and set priorities for projects and programs.
- Work with the Director of Conservation Strategy to develop and supervise Coastal Conservation Program projects, programs, and conservation priorities.
- Work with staff to develop and maintain data (including field data) associated with our conservation efforts, Audubon initiatives, and citizen science projects. Work to make available to Audubon staff, coastal partners and the public shareable results of that data to benefit and inform our conservation work and contribute to our education and outreach efforts.
- As needed, participate in field-based monitoring, stewardship, and management, including seasonal bird surveys, at Audubon coastal conservation sites.
- Working with Audubon Texas Director of Conservation Strategy, Director of Policy, Communications Director, and the State Executive Director, act as the voice of Audubon along the Texas coast and the entire Gulf communicating our mission, the programs developed around it, and our vision for the future.
- Develop a close working relationship with coastal NGOs, state and federal agency partners, and community leaders/stakeholders. Strive to develop partnerships that culminate in landscape scale conservation supporting bird and other coastal wildlife populations and habitat.
- Maintain appropriately organized records, reporting, and timelines on Coastal Conservation programs and initiatives including timely grant and program reports.
Budget and Fundraising
- Work with Director of Conservation Strategy and development staff on funding opportunities with potential donors, corporations, and state and federal grant programs supporting our coastal conservation management and island restoration projects.
- Develop and maintain familiarity with Coastal Restoration funding programs and project selection criteria.
- 5+ years of work experience in natural resources management or related environmental or conservation work.
- Possess keen interest in and familiarity, if not expertise, with coastal bird conservation, monitoring, and management.
- Proven record in project management including managing grants, completing reports, contracts, articles and other projects.
- Exceptional public speaking, public presentation, and writing skills.
- Fundraising/grant-writing experience.
- Must be self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision.
- Willing to travel locally within Austin area with regular trips to coastal sites and meetings.
- Conduct occasional out-of-state travel and be comfortable working evening and weekends as the job demands.
- Experience working with nonprofit, volunteer-based organizations are preferred.
- Must be able to hike, lift, bend, reach and twist as necessary. Must be able to transport at least 35 pounds and do manual labor tasks as required.
- Must be able to operate computer, GPS equipment, telephone systems, mechanical maintenance equipment including but not limited to tractors and other land management equipment (preferred).
- Experience in GIS is desirable.