The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we are committed to a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.
Management (40%)
- The Forest Partnerships Manager has managerial responsibility, accountability, and budget oversight for a team that works closely with partners (federal, state, county, city/municipality, non-profit, and private) and local communities to deliver strategic conservation outcomes across the forests of Eastern Washington. Areas of current conservation emphasis include: growing and developing a pipeline of forest health restoration projects spanning hundreds of thousands of acres on public lands, increasing the level of on-the-ground implementation and treatment within priority restoration projects, and integrating the Central Cascades Forest (private land) into the community's vision for regional forest management and recreation.
External Partnerships Management (40%)
- This position will lead and support strategic relationships and engagement with elected officials, federal and state agencies, and community leaders in close coordination with The Nature Conservancy's team. The Forest Partnerships Manager may serve on the Executive Team of the Tapash Sustainable Forest Collaborative or as a leader within other collaborative groups and associations.
- Partnership engagement will include listening to partners perspectives and implementing a strategic approach that builds support for regional forest health policies, funding, and restoration; generates interest in exploring investments in mill infrastructure and water markets that can contribute to conservation outcomes; and creates community buy-in and momentum behind the transfer of the Central Cascades Forest to appropriate private and public partners over time.
Other functions 20%
- The Forest Partnerships Manager may often play an important role in internal and external communications, training, strategic and financial planning, and fundraising (e.g., grant writing, donor meetings and field trips).
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
The Forest Partnerships Manager is a mid-level conservation manager within the Washington Chapter. They influence strategic direction, have significant financial responsibility and discretion over some budget decisions, and are accountable for conservation results within their control.
Within the scope of the position, the Forest Partnerships Manager will:
- Develop strong working relationships with community leaders, local elected officials, other partner agencies, organizations, and community groups reflective of the region’s population.
- Manage multi-disciplinary team of 3-5 administrative and professional staff, with responsibility for performance management, training and career development. Establish clear directions and set stretch objectives.
- Be responsible and accountable for meeting departmental strategic goals and objectives.
- Have significant autonomy building and evaluating strategies and team approaches for how the work gets done, and results are accomplished, including: alignment with partnerships, developing strategic engagement strategies and approaches, and deploying and aligning employees' annual business objectives.
- Develop and manage annual and multi-year budgets in collaboration with conservation teams and finance staff.
- Contribute to raising public and private funds to meet program needs.
Work Environment and Schedule:
- Position must work from the Cle Elum office (preferred) or Wenatchee office (may be considered).
- Position will require frequent (sometimes overnight) travel to the Washington business office in Seattle.
- May require working extended and/or varied work hours, including on weekends.
- Work will include time in the outdoor environment and remote locations in varying weather conditions (sun, rain, snow) and sometimes rough terrain.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads and finances under deadlines.
- Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
- Experience negotiating.
- Experience working on dry forest conservation issues in the intermountain Western United States.
- Ability to travel within Washington State; must have a valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one prior to beginning the position.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Existing working relationships with natural resource agency officials and community leaders in the Central Washington region strongly preferred.
- Successful track record of developing and facilitating strategic partnership with agencies, tribes, elected officials, and community leaders, including creating, building, and maintaining effective partnerships.
- Practical conservation experience working on dry forest health and resilience within the Intermountain Western United States and a technical understanding of the primary ecological and social issues surrounding dry forest health restoration.
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Must thrive working both independently and in team setting and be driven to accomplish significant conservation results through teamwork. Must be willing to invest in managerial skills.
- Excellent communication skills via written and verbal means, including experience communicating with the public and/or media.
- Experience working with a team including both internal and external partners.
- Self-starting, independent worker who can thrive in a decentralized organization with minimal oversight.
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.