Conservation Program Officer

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Title: Conservation Program Officer
Supervisor: CHJV Coordinator
Location: TBD
Deadline for Application: December 10, 2010

Introduction:

American Bird Conservancy (ABC), an international bird conservation organization, is seeking to employ a Conservation Program Officer responsible for developing programs and for expanding the capability and capacity of the Central Hardwoods Joint Venture (CHJV) to successfully achieve the CHJV partnership’s conservation objectives. The Conservation Program Officer will serve as the primary conduit to bring the biological planning, conservation design efforts and conservation targets developed by the CHJV into reality on the ground. The Officer will work collaboratively with the partnership’s private, state, and federal members, as well as other private and public landowners who hold land that can be incorporated into the conservation plans for habitat and species. The Officer will work with CHJV staff and a technical committee to identify restoration approaches, site-based opportunities and priority programs. The Program Officer will consider the use of the full range of tools to achieve the conservation objectives of the Joint Venture: land acquisition and protection; voluntary and binding easements and management agreements; habitat restoration, rehabilitation and management efforts; and policy and advocacy work. The position will be supervised by the CHJV Coordinator, with the work plan ultimately being agreed to by American Bird Conservancy and the Central Hardwoods Joint Venture Management Board.

 

The CHJV habitat objectives established to date are focused on restoring more than one million acres of native communities such barrens, glade complexes, and open oak and pine woodlands across the Central Hardwoods Bird Conservation Region. Objectives for wetland complexes and open grassland systems will be developed by the CHJV in the coming year. This position is initially supported by a two year grant. The position may be continued beyond that time frame should funding become available.

Primary Duties:

1. Develop and ensure the implementation of conservation programs within the CHJV partnership and beyond to maximize opportunities, promote cross-organizational interactions and deliver priority habitat conservation throughout the Central Hardwoods Bird Conservation Region.

2. Work with the CHJV staff and partner members to identify conservation objectives and highest-leverage conservation opportunities. Use the decision support tools and models developed by the CHJV to define site-specific conservation projects, key partners and best approaches. Provide feedback to the Joint Venture staff and technical committees on integrating biological goals and objectives into decision support tools.

3. Work closely with CHJV staff and technical committees to ensure coordinated tracking and monitoring of work toward CHJV goals and objectives and to incorporate conservation accomplishments into the next generation the biological planning and conservation design tools.

4. Chair the Conservation Delivery Technical Committee, organize meeting agendas and keep meeting minutes.

5. Prepare Committee reports and make presentations and recommendations to the CHJV Management Board.

Position Requirements:

1. An entrepreneurial approach, ability to develop innovative solutions.

2. Collaborative. Demonstrated ability to work well with other organizations, agencies and individuals.

3. Results oriented. Demonstrated ability to accomplish ambitious conservation objectives.

4. Conservation experience. Familiarity with land management and restoration approaches and land protection tools.

5. Knowledge of native communities; knowledge of Neotropical migrant and resident birds of the Central Hardwoods Region preferable.

6. Ability to work and coordinate multiple projects at the same time. Ability to set priorities, work independently, efficiently and accurately, and meet deadlines.

7. A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, with background in biological or environmental sciences, conservation or proven experience working effectively in a non-profit or agency environment.

8. Excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills. Incumbent must be able to demonstrate the degree of energy and enthusiasm needed to motivate people to work together toward common goals and find innovative solutions to problems standing in the way of success.

9. Ability and willingness to travel for significant periods of time, including remote locations.

10. Proficiency with computers and software, especially Geographic Information Systems and databases.

11. Belief in and dedication to American Bird Conservancy’s and the Central Hardwoods Joint Venture’s conservation mission.

The position will be based in the eastern area of the Central Hardwoods Joint Venture. This position is initially supported by a two year grant. Continued funding for the position will be sought but is not guaranteed at this time. Salary is $55,000 annually, with benefits.

Application Instructions:

Please email a cover letter and resume to Merrie Morrison at hr@abcbirds.org