Freshwater Program Manager

Jackson,Missisipi (MS)

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in more than 30 countries, all 50 United States, and your backyard. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Visit www.nature.org/aboutus to learn more.
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The  Freshwater Program Manager directs some or all aspects of protection, science, stewardship and community relations for a region within the Mississippi Operating Unit .  S/he serves as the principle contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations and the academic community.  This may include one or more of the following functions:

• Establishes the Conservancy as a major conservation partner within the area of responsibility
• Defines conservation priorities in the area of responsibility
• Leads and manages team which supports and improves conservation efforts
• Builds strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field
• 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 innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools and frameworks to address the natural system needs
• Engages local community support for local conservation efforts
• Negotiates complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners to conserve and protect natural communities
• Develops and implements conservation strategies

• BA/BS degree in natural resource management and 5 year’s experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience. Graduate level preferred
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads, and finances under deadlines.
• Experience in written and verbal communication.
• Supervisory experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate degree in natural resource management related field and 5 years’ related experience in freshwater habitat conservation/ restoration or equivalent combination of education and experience.  
• Provide scientific/technical support, expertise and leadership for freshwater conservation initiatives for the Mississippi Operating Unit, particularly in the realm of watershed based conservation, conservation in agricultural landscapes, stream and wetland ecology, and nutrient and sediment transport in stream/wetland systems.
• Develop and manage academic and other partner relationships (i.e., NGOs, landowners, farmers, and key policy makers) to perform scientific research and monitoring.
• Oversee work and sets objectives for other freshwater program staff, interns, researchers and contractors and coordinates efforts of collaborating peers
• Develop innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools and frameworks to address needs of priority freshwater systems.
• Work with other staff on public policy such as the federal Farm Bill programs or Water Resources Development Act,
• Demonstrated supervisory experience, including the ability to motivate, lead, set objectives and manage performance.
• Communicate scientific information to both technical and non-technical audiences in both written and oral forms.
• Take the lead on identifying needs and securing resources needed to successfully implement the program’s freshwater conservation strategies.
• Knowledge of politics and society with respect to freshwater conservation in Mississippi
• Demonstrated experience in successful grant writing and/or fundraising
• Demonstrated experience with software applications (MS Office, GIS systems software).
• Working knowledge of Mississippi’s freshwater ecosystems.
• Expertise working in agricultural landscapes is a plus
• Expertise landscape/ watershed based conservation is a plus

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with the Conservancy's Auto Safety Program.  Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers."  Please see further details in the Auto Safety Program document available at www.nature.org/careers. 

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

The Manager maywork in variable weather conditions, at remote locations that may:

• require minor physical exertion and/or muscular strain

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, a 401k plan, 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. 
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To apply to position number 41590 , submit resume and cover letter as one document. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on December 1,2013.

Failure to complete all of the required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.

You must click “submit” to apply for the position. You may select “save for later” if you prefer to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited.

If you are experiencing technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contactapplyhelp@tnc.org.
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The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process