From the thousand-year-old cypress trees in the swamps of the Cache River to the extensive oak forests of the Shawnee Hills, the southern tip of Illinois is the most biologically rich area of our state. The Nature Conservancy is a co-founder of the Cache River Wetlands Joint Venture Partnership (JVP) and supervises the Southern Illinois Strike Team and the Interagency Fire Crew. In partnership with the US Forest Service, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and others, these crews plan and implement prescribed burns, invasive species control measures and other essential stewardship strategies on public and private lands. The Southern Illinois Program Director is The Nature Conservancy’s representative to the Cache River JVP, manages the Southern Illinois Strike Team and the Interagency Fire Crew and develops, implements, and stewards our partnership strategy in southern Illinois, including the Shawnee National Forest, the Cache and Mississippi Rivers and other key conservation areas in the region.
The Southern Illinois Program Director defines conservation priorities and long-term conservation strategies. Develops and manages opportunities for conservation partnerships, collaborations, and community engagement with local, state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations and private entities. Seeks out and manages public/private partnerships and grants and donor support to implement conservation actions. Responsible for advancing stewardship, applied science and community relations across southern Illinois. Serves as the principal contact with government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations and the academic community. Develops innovative methods, analyses, tools and frameworks to address conservation issues, engage local community support for local conservation efforts, and negotiate potentially complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners to conserve and protect natural communities.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- The project area includes portions of Gallatin, Saline, Williamson, Jackson, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Alexander, Pulaski, and Massac counties which includes the Shawnee National Forest and the Cache River. Programmatic scope may require interstate work and relationships.
- May be responsible for leading or co-leading a whole system program.
- Leads and manages team or project to support and improve conservation efforts.
- Manages contractors and professional staff, with responsibility for performance management, training and career development. Establishes clear directions and sets stretch objectives.
- Responsible for ensuring public and private funds are raised to meet program needs.
- Builds relationships and fosters cooperation with outside parties to accomplish program goals.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Frequently makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
- Occasional travel required to attend meetings, training and perform work in the field, which may require overnight stays.
- Experience managing multiple and complex projects, including staffing, workloads and finances under deadlines.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
- Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies
- Experience negotiating contracts and agreements.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in ecology, conservation biology or related field.
- 7+ years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans in complex ecological and organizational systems.
- Knowledge of current practices and trends in relevant discipline(s) and regions.
- Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives or related field.
- Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Demonstrated experience in fundraising.
- Politically savvy.
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.