The Arizona Lands Program Lead will oversee all the Chapter’s work related to land policy, with the exception of forest work. The setting for this work is in deserts and grasslands systems, and the position will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and establishing overall conservation priorities. A key aspect is to work with internal and external partners, including federal and state agencies, to develop policy-oriented approaches that will make a significant impact in deserts and grasslands conservation. This is a senior conservation management position within the Chapter.
The Arizona Lands Program Lead both leads the Chapter’s existing work related to deserts and grasslands and develops new conservation strategies in these areas. The position identifies and develops important external partners and serves as a principal representative, at the staff level, to government agencies (such as the State Land Department and Arizona Department of Transportation), other conservation organizations, and the academic community. S/he establishes the Conservancy as a major conservation partner. S/he builds off the Chapter’s existing work in order to identify, develop and lead a few high impact, policy-based strategies that can achieve conservation of desert or grassland landscapes at a large scale. The position will also lead much of the Chapter’s work to guide growth and infrastructure development in Arizona, including working with internal teams to submit comments and analyses as part of public processes, as well as working with partners to contribute the Chapter’s science-based expertise to agency planning and decision-making. Through the Stewardship Director, s/he will provide oversight for the majority of the Chapter’s preserve system in Southern Arizona (120,000 acres over 20 properties) and will work with the Stewardship Director to develop strategies which leverage these important assets to achieve outcomes beyond their geographic boundaries. S/he coordinates with other program and functional leads, in particular those in Science and External Affairs, and sponsors cross-functional teams to address key challenges. The Arizona Lands Program Lead is the functional lead for this area in the Chapter, and ensures alignment and builds cohesion with staff under his/her supervision. The position is a key member of the Chapter’s Land and Water Group, which provides leadership for all conservation functions.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Geographic size and scope is that of a larger, complex business unit and/or a program that requires cross-boundary work and relationships.
- Supervises staff; currently the Stewardship Director and the Conservation Ecologist are direct reports, and more than a dozen stewardship staff work in the program.
- Establishes and maintains optimal performance standards within budget.
- Responds to requests for proposal (RFPs) for grant/contract funding for program.
- Makes independently strategic decisions frequently based on analysis, ambiguous information and judgment.
- Negotiates complex agreements within a political environment.
- Responsible for leading or co-leading a whole system program.
- Utilizes and builds off existing conservation and work plans as a basis for developing strategies and creates new ones.
- Works with a variety of partners, including landowner groups, ranchers, agencies, and NGOs.
- Tracks and recommends action on major initiatives related to infrastructure growth in Arizona.
- Uses project management methodology to guide work.
- Travels frequently domestically and/or internationally; evening and weekend hours.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
- Experience, coursework or other training in policies, laws and issues relevant to desert and/or grassland conservation and management in the Southwest.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives, and managing performance.
- Experience developing partnerships (community, government, partners.)
- Negotiation skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- 7-10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Advanced degree in policy, science or other relevant topics.
- Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in desert or grassland conservation and management in the western US, with Arizona-specific experience greatly preferred.
- Experience with land management issues and challenges at the ground level.
- Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
- Knowledge of methods and standards for prioritizing conservation efforts across large landscapes, and promoting actions that yield the greatest overall benefits.
- Communicating clearly via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Politically savvy and experienced in partnership development (community, government, partners.)
- At least 3 years working on public land issues in Arizona with knowledge of major policies and players.