The Freshwater Program Manager is a new position that will lead development and implementation of an integrated program with an emphasis on protecting and restoring rivers and streams in priority watersheds in NH through removal/reengineering of dams and culverts. She/he will be responsible for refining current strategies and identifying priority geographies for Conservancy action, continuing to build effective partnerships with public agencies and private organizations, providing science, public policy, and planning support to Conservancy staff, and leading projects.
The Freshwater Program Manager will provide leadership and use scientific information to implement the “Healthy Rivers, Clean Waters” initiative identified by the New Hampshire Chapter in our Vision 2020 Strategic Plan, with a focus on catalyzing removal or re-engineering of key dams, culverts, and bridges to restore natural river processes and ecological connectivity to at least 1,000 miles of rivers and streams by 2025 She/he will collaborate with the Director of Conservation Programs to refine and prioritize freshwater connectivity strategies and geographies and integrate these into the overall goals and priorities of the chapter; assume responsibility for ongoing freshwater projects and lead implementation of new projects; deploy innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools and frameworks to address conservation needs; provide expertise on other freshwater conservation and policy options; use science, tools, projects and policy to drive for systemic impact; and further build effective partnerships with federal and state agencies, scientific and academic institutions, environmental groups, and other organizations engaged in freshwater conservation issues. She/he will work closely with other TNC staff including those in the New Hampshire Chapter, Connecticut River Whole System Team and New England Division to integrate freshwater conservation actions within the state and across the region, and help establish the Conservancy as a freshwater conservation leader in New Hampshire.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
Freshwater Program Leadership
- Provide the intellectual leadership, technical expertise, and professional capacity necessary to identify, develop, and catalyze a portfolio of impactful freshwater conservation initiatives that advance TNC’s conservation mission and goals
- Work closely with NH Chapter Director of Conservation to ensure that conservation strategies are well integrated across freshwater, terrestrial, and estuarine environments
Conservation Science and Planning
- Lead Chapter conservation science analysis and planning efforts necessary to develop and inform effective freshwater barrier removal conservation strategies
- Lead Chapter efforts to develop and implement appropriate measures to help us evaluate the effectiveness of freshwater conservation strategies and adapt our approach over time
Freshwater Conservation Program and Project Implementation
- Catalyze removal or re-engineering of key dams, culverts, and bridges in New Hampshire
- Work in close partnership with TNC’s Connecticut River Whole System Project team to identify and undertake regionally important barrier removal projects, and support efforts to improve dam management and river flows at scale in the Connecticut River Watershed
- Evaluate opportunities to meet our conservation objectives by engaging in FERC dam relicensing outside of the mainstem of the Connecticut River
External Affairs & Funding
- Support NH Chapter government relations staff in development and execution of public policy strategies related to freshwater conservation issues
- Represent TNC on the New Hampshire’s River Restoration Taskforce and other external workgroups and committees with a freshwater focus
- Develop and maintain key partner and community relationships as needed to advance conservation strategies
- Assist with the identification and pursuit of public and private funding sources to advance freshwater conservation and restoration priorities
- Assist with donor meetings, field trips, media relations, and stewardship as requested
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 5 years of experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Coursework, training, and/or experience influencing, developing, and implementing conservation policy and plans
- Coursework, training, and/or experience with methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives
- Experience supervising field teams
- Experience and high level of competence with word-processing and spreadsheets, and GIS as a mapping and analytical tool
- Experience developing, directing, and managing multiple projects
- Experience in partnership development (partners, community, government, etc.)
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Graduate degree in freshwater biology, freshwater ecology, watershed management or closely related discipline, and 5-7 years of experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in dam/culvert removal
- Demonstrated experience with managing dam/culvert reengineering or removal projects
- Knowledge of hydropower management including FERC licensing/relicensing
- Experience with managing dam removal and other river restoration projects
- Demonstrated experience securing public or private funds for conservation projects
- Political savvy and significant experience in partnership development (partners, community, government)