Restoration at Kankakee Sands and adjacent natural areas. At over 8,000 acres, the restoration is among the largest grassland restorations in the United states, is the most diverse planting in North America, and is part of a larger bi-state conservation area that exceeds 25,000 acres. Approximately 100 bison graze a portion of the restoration. The Site Manager coordinates and collaborates with staff from Illinois and governmental partners to advance conservation across the macrosite. They serve as a contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, and the academic community for the conservation area.
The Kankakee Sands Site Manager provides technical leadership and support to the Indiana Chapter of The Nature Conservancy by planning, directing, and implementing preserve management programs and stewardship at Kankakee Sands. They address critical threats to natural systems and individual species, foster cross-site learning among an international conservation community, and supply conservation planning teams with site or landscape level information relevant to the planning process. They develop and implement conservation strategies, employ a full range of protection tools to acquire varying degrees of legal interest in land, and implement a variety of strategies to secure public and private support for TNC conservation priorities. They coordinate community support, facilitate neighbor relationships, and maintain preserve areas frequented by the visiting public.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Manage multi-disciplinary administrative and professional staff, with responsibility for performance management, training, and career development.
- Gain cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals.
- Financial responsibility includes working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development, and meeting fundraising targets.
- Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
- Under minimal supervision, makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Facilitates raising public and private funds to meet program needs.
- Experience negotiating complex agreements.
- Supervisory experience.
- Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
- Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
- Experience with principles of land acquisition.
- Must have a valid driver's license.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Knowledge of land management conservation practice and conservation science.
- Knowledge of prescribed fire and ability to operate as a RXB2 (Burn Boss Type 2).
- Knowledge of bison and grazing as a management tool.
- Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and natural resource preservation.
- Completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
- Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
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.