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Conservation Ranching Program Manager

This job is no longer available

Sacramento, CA, USA
Full-time

California is losing an average of 20,000 acres a year of grassland habitat to development or crop conversion. The grasslands that remain have been degraded by a range of factors, including climate change, invasive species, aquifer depletion, and poor grazing practices—all of which are incompatible with the habitat needs of many grassland birds and other wildlife. As a result of the combined impact of these factors over many decades, grassland birds are now among the suite of species in sharpest decline and are widely recognized as species of conservation concern.

To protect these iconic American birds, Audubon has established the Conservation Ranching Program to work with private and public partners to create market-based solutions that help ranchers manage their land in ways that support healthy grassland ecosystems. Audubon has created a “bird-friendly” certification using the Audubon brand that can be used by those who voluntarily implement land management protocols on their ranches. This “seal of approval” with the trusted Audubon brand will expand marketing opportunities for participating ranchers and help to attract buyers in a market that is expanding exponentially. More information on the program can be found here.

Audubon is advancing this market-based approach by:

Refining land management protocols that sustain native grasslands and the birds that depend on them. Supporting farmers and ranchers and working with branded program, processors, distributors and retailers to establish a path to market for Audubon-certified products, primarily beef.
Leveraging Audubon’s brand to drive consumers toward certified bird-friendly products.
Measuring success with ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the biological response to our bird-friendly land management protocols as a condition for certification.

The Conservation Ranching Program Manager works with ranchers, partners, and Audubon state and national staff to coordinate the expansion of Audubon’s Conservation Ranching program in California. This position is responsible for recruitment of ranches; development of Habitat Management Plans; coordination of workshops to provide production assistance; development of program protocols and their adherence in all participating landscapes; coordination of agreements and relationships with state and federal agency partners, peer organizations and NGOs; coordination of supply-chain and retail/market-side partnerships; and support of monitoring and ranch certification. This position will report to Audubon California’s Director of the Land and Water Conservation. This is a two-year grant funded position. 

Areas of Responsibility: 
  • Help build the Audubon Conservation Ranching program in California by convening stakeholders and partners to successfully support the launch of this work;
  • Recruit ranches into the program by identifying potential participants, building relationships, and assisting interested ranchers with program entry. Develop positive   relationships with producer groups, landowner associations or other entities;
  • Work with producers, NGOs, and agency partners to develop regional habitat management protocols and bird species target lists for each of the ecoregions in which the   program is operating;
  • Complete Habitat Management Plans for all participating ranches;
  • Coordinate and manage agreements and relationships with state and federal agency partners, including opportunities for program funding;
  • Coordinate and manage partnerships with peer conservation organizations and stakeholders;
  • Coordinate the development and management of supply-chain and retail/market-side partnerships, which may include retail stores, restaurants, branded programs, coops,  etc;
  • Work with state staff and NGO partners to ensure ecological monitoring on all participating ranches, including bird counts and potentially the measurement of vegetation   and soil health;
  • Assist the preparation and management of funding proposals and agreements, and meet with program donors and supporters as needed;
  • Ensure adherence to policies and procedures, and positively represent National Audubon Society, including: Maintaining a working knowledge about Audubon strategic   plans, priorities and programs nationwide;
  • Answering general inquiries from the public about Audubon and the Conservation Ranching Program;
  • Assisting staff in participating states to coordinate local promotion, education and outreach;
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
Educational Background: 
Bachelor’s degree in rangeland ecology, natural resource management, environmental science, sustainability, or related field,
Skills/Experience: 
  • Five years’ experience of program   management in organizations that have a reputation for strategic thinking and organizational excellence;
  • Working knowledge of grassland ecology and habitat management is preferred;
  • Knowledge and appreciation of the ranching culture, range management issues, and sustainable ranching practices is strongly preferred;
  • Experience in the practice or promotion of sustainable agriculture, sustainable foods, grassfed beef production or related supply chain development is ideal.
  • Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills;
  • Ability to work independently, take initiative, and make decisions in the absence of specific directions;
  • Ability to effectively coordinate with staff, and interact positively with others to advance the Audubon mission;
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word required, ArcGIS experience helpful; experience in additional systems and platforms a plus;
  • Must possess a valid driver's license, have access to personal transportation and be able to work independently;
  • Passion for the mission of the Audubon, as well as knowledge or interest in bird conservation initiatives, conservation policy, habitat restoration, and environmental   education is ideal;
  • Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, and travel up to 50% of the work schedule;
  • Ability to walk uneven trails, drive on unpaved surfaces, and lift up to 50 lbs.

Organization Info

National Audubon Society

Overview
Headquarters: 
New York, NY, United States
Annual Budget : 
$100-500M
Founded: 
1972
About Us
Areas of Focus: 
Mission: 

Audubon saves birds and their habitats throughout the America using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation.

Audubon operates an extensive network of National conservation programs, 23 state and regional offices, 41 centers, 23 sanctuaries and 463 independent chapters. Our work is a powerful combination of science, on the ground conservation, policy and engagement expertise that strives to protect and restore habitat, and to build the durable public will to implement policies that safeguard birds, other wildlife and the resources that sustain us all-in the U.S. and across the Americas.

Listing Stats

Post Date: 
Apr 17 2019
Active Until: 
May 17 2019
Hiring Organization: 
National Audubon Society
industry: 
Nonprofit