| Description |
| | | | The Nature Conservancy is the world’s leading conservation organization, working in all 50 states and more than 33 countries. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. | | | ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS | | | The Climate Change & Energy Program Director I directs some or all aspects of protection, science, stewardship and community relations for the Alaska Field Office. S/he serves as the principle contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations and the academic community. She/he will be involved in developing climate change conservation strategies that will help to protect TNC’s conservation areas from the threats of climate change. She/he will work with conservation staff, trustees and volunteers to implement strategies to achieve a balance between biodiversity conservation and energy development on public lands. She/he will also work to raise funds to support conservation initiatives and programs of the Conservancy.
This may include one or more of the following functions:
• Establishes the Conservancy as a major conservation partner among climate change efforts and partnerships in Alaska
• Defines conservation priorities in the face of climate change and energy development
• Assist in developing and advancing a focused strategy for conservation related to climate change and energy development.
• Leads and manages team which supports and improves conservation efforts; builds strategic, scientific, and technical capacity; and develops innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools and frameworks relative to climate change and energy development in Alaska
• Develops key partnerships with public and private organizations in order to identify and resolve technical issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices
• Develops relationships between climate change researchers and federal and state land management agencies to advance applied climate change research and conservation strategies in biologically significant areas in Alaska.
• Engages local community support for local conservation efforts
• Negotiates complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and land managers to conserve and protect natural communities
• Develops and implements conservation strategies | | | BASIC QUALIFICATIONS | | | • BA/BS degree and 5 years experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads, and finances under deadlines.
• Experience in written and verbal communication. | | | ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION | | | KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
• BA/BS degree and 5-7 years experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Prefer advanced degree in environmental science, public policy, natural resource management, biology, climate science or related field and 5 years related experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices around climate change in polar regions.
• Experience developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives.
• History of delivering practical, adaptable products and services to partners.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage time and diverse activities.
• Motivating team members, setting goals, and leading efforts.
• Experience in fundraising.
• Experience in developing, directing and managing multiple projects.
• Experience in partnership development (partners, community, government, etc); political savvy.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English.
• Proven interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills.
COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:
• Diagnoses complex problems and identifies creative solutions
• Interprets guidelines, evaluates information, and modifies processes to adapt to changing circumstances
• Manages and prioritizes tasks from multiple sources
• Designs, implements, and directs complex and diverse projects, encompassing multiple programs and coordinating the work of other professionals, inside and outside the organization. Incorporates cross-disciplinary knowledge to support program objectives
• Negotiates complex agreements, sometimes in political environments
• Develops and implements creative ideas to improve overall performance in conservation strategies
• Formulates, evaluates, and decides broad organizational policies and long-term programs
DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:
• Ensures program accountability and legal compliance.
• Assesses decisions’ potential impact on colleagues’ work, public image, scientific credibility and financial and legal standings.
• Makes decisions based on incomplete or ambiguous information and accepts associated risks.
• Makes strategic decisions based on analysis, experience and judgment.
• Duties are performed under minimal supervision.
RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT – FINANCIAL AND SUPERVISORY:
• May serve as a team leader for assigned projects; may require gaining cooperation of team over whom there is no direct supervisory authority.
• Responsible for operating within budget guidelines to ensure sound financial performance. Develop and administer departmental budget and has authority to modify budget based on changing circumstances.
• Establish and maintain optimal standards of performance for the department or program while controlling costs and administering budgets.
• Responsible for ensuring that public and private funds are raised to meet program needs.
• Develops long-term strategies and achieves strategic goals and objectives.
• Builds cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:
• Builds cooperative relationships and collaborates with diverse groups, including land owners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members, and the general public, to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy efforts.
• Commands attention, changes tactics midstream as necessary, and manages group processes during presentations or discussions.
• May speak with and in front of varied audiences on scientific topics and the Conservancy’s mission.
• Ability to establish excellent working relationships with outside partners, state/local/federal agencies, land managers, private landowners and the academic community.
• Work effectively in high-tension situations and maintain composure under pressure. Diffuses high-tension situations comfortably.
• Work and communicate effectively with a diverse group of people, including scientists, conservation staff, and others, providing and obtaining needed information.
• Ability to articulate lessons learned regarding conservation initiative successes and failures.
• Ability to simplify and explain complex scientific data to general audiences.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
The Climate Change Program Director may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions may:
• require occasional physical exertion and/or muscular strain
• present occasional possibility of injury
• require long hours in isolated settings
This position may also:
• require frequent travel domestically and/or internationally
• require evening and weekend hours | | | BENEFITS | | | The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 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. | | | HOW TO APPLY | | | Please submit resume and cover letter as one document.
All sections of online application must be completed (e.g. work experience and education, even if information is included in resume) to be considered for a position |
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