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Director of Conservation Programs

This job is no longer available

Santa Fe, NM, USA
Full-time

The Director of Conservation Programs provides leadership, technical and program support to the New Mexico Chapter’s field operations.  They serve as the principal contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, and the academic community.  They establish the Conservancy as a major conservation leader and/or partner on relevant and significant conservation issues, including but not limited to land and freshwater protection and restoration, forest health, climate change, energy production and urban conservation.

The Director is responsible for ensuring that the New Mexico Chapter is aligned with, and contributing to, TNC’s global and North American conservation priorities.  They  disseminate best practices, and provides training and analyses to best implement organizational strategies and measures of success. Working with the chapter staff, the Director defines conservation priorities and conservation strategies, leads and manages a team which supports and improves conservation efforts, and builds strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field. 

The Director of Conservation Programs develops partnerships with key public & private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices. They also engage local community support for local conservation efforts. They provide coordination, coaching and leadership for the conservation staff to implement innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address the natural system needs. The Director negotiates complex, collaborative and innovative solutions with government agencies, indigenous communities, water users, landowners and other stakeholders to conserve and protect natural communities. They facilitate the conservation staff in the development and implementation of integrated conservation strategies for forest and watershed management, urban programs, freshwater and climate change, energy and for emerging conservation issues and challenges.

Areas of Responsibility: 
  • Geographic size and scope is the State of New Mexico, however the Director will frequently coordinate with and support TNC staff from the Rocky Mountain Division, the North America Region, and the Global Conservation Program.     
  • Supervises staff, including staff at remote locations.
  • Provides leadership for strategy development and to ensure that conservation programmatic capacity is aligned with current and emerging conservation priority issues.
  • Works across state boundaries (e.g. Colorado River Program and Rio Grande Basin) to meet river habitat restoration and environmental flow objectives.                         
  • Works with TNC global, North America Region and Rocky Mountain Division staff and with external partners to create and implement coordinated, integrated and impactful programs for climate change mitigation and adaptation and for avoidance and mitigation of impacts from energy development and use.
  • Leads teams of staff working on multiple issues including land and water conservation, forest health, water funds, and urban conservation.
  • Oversees and establishes budgets and maintains optimal performance standards.
  • Writes requests for proposal (RFPs) for grant/contract funding for program.
  • Works closely with the State Director and the Director of Philanthropy to identify resources and to raise private and public funds to support conservation strategies and programs.
  • Frequently makes independent strategic decisions based on analysis, ambiguous information and judgment.
  • Negotiates complex agreements in a political environment.                                                                                     
  • Frequent travel domestically, evening and weekend hours.               
  • May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.  
Educational Background: 
BA/BS degree and 10 years’ experience in natural resource practice or similar; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Skills/Experience: 
  • Experience in identifying, soliciting and obtaining resources, including securing public funding through grants and contracts, and identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
  • Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.  
  • Supervisory experience, including exceptional skills at motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
  • Meeting facilitation skills.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Experience directing a major program or project of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams and meeting deadlines.
  • Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or indigenous nations and government agencies.                                       
  • Experience negotiating.                                               
  • Experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans at the state or regional level.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Master’s degree in science or natural resource management or JD.
  • Knowledge of current trends and practices in freshwater conservation including river habitat restoration, environmental flows and innovative water transactions for conservation; 5+ years’  experience preferred.
  • Knowledge of climate change science and projected impacts in the Southwestern U.S.
  • Knowledge of conservation science and strategies for avoidance and/or mitigation of impacts from energy development, or expertise in energy efficiency practices.
  • Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
  • Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives.
  • Communicates clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages; ability to give compelling presentations to technical and non-technical  audiences; ability to persuade and influence decision makers and partner organizations.
  • Politically savvy and experienced in partnership development (partners, community, government).
Compensation/Benefits: 

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.

Organization Info

Nature Conservancy

Overview
Headquarters: 
Arlington, VA, United States
Annual Budget : 
More than $500M
Founded: 
1954
About Us
Mission: 

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.

Our vision is a world where the diversity of life thrives, and people act to conserve nature for its own sake and its ability to fulfill our needs and enrich our lives.

How do we achieve this mission and vision?

Through the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, including more than 600 scientists, all of whom impact conservation in 69 countries.

With the help of our many partners, from individuals and governments to local nonprofits and corporations.

By using a non-confrontational, collaborative approach and staying true to our five unique core values.

That's how The Nature Conservancy has done more than anyone else to advance conservation around the world since our founding in 1951.

Listing Stats

Post Date: 
Aug 16 2019
Active Until: 
Sep 16 2019
Hiring Organization: 
Nature Conservancy
industry: 
Nonprofit