| Description |
| |
 |
ABOUT US |
|
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. |
|
POSITION SUMMARY |
|
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
• BA/BS or advanced degree in field relevant to marine/coastal science and marine/coastal resource conservation AND at least 5 years on-the-ground experience in marine resource commerce, management, policy, planning, and/or coastal community action; OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing, and implementing conservation policy and plans.
• Familiarity with marine resource conservation, harvesting, and management issues, as well as familiarity with (or demonstrated ability to quickly learn) the institutional, cultural, and ecological aspects of the marine environment of the Long Island Sound and New York Bight.
• Experience developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives.
• Ability to motivate team members, set goals, and lead efforts.
• Experience delivering practical, adaptable products and services to customers.
• Knowledge of politics and society with respect to environmental affairs.
• Ability to manage time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results.
• Ability to communicate clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising.
• Successful experience in developing, directing, and managing multiple projects.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience, including the ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance.
• Successful experience in partnership development (partners, community, government, etc); politically savvy.
• 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 coordinates the work of other professionals, both 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 the potential impact of decisions 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 independent strategic decisions frequently based on analysis, experience, and judgment.
RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT – FINANCIAL AND SUPERVISORY:
• Responsible for operating within budget guidelines to ensure sound financial performance. Develops and administers departmental budget and has authority to modify budget based on changing circumstances.
• Establishes and maintains 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.
• Requires the ability to establish excellent working relationships with outside partners, state/local/federal agencies, land managers, private landowners, and the academic community.
• Must be able to work effectively in high-tension situations and maintain composure under pressure. Diffuses high-tension situations comfortably.
• Must be able to work and communicate effectively with a diverse group of people, including scientists, preserve staff, and others, providing and obtaining needed information.
• Must be able to articulate lessons learned regarding conservation initiative successes and failures.
• Must be able to simplify and explain complex scientific data to general audiences.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
The Long Island Sound 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. |
|
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS |
|
The Long Island Sound Program Director is responsible for The Nature Conservancy's engagement in marine and coastal conservation in Long Island Sound. This program area crosses multiple TNC state operating units, including Connecticut and New York. The Program Director will work closely with government agencies and other partners to build support and promote policies for the protection and management of Long Island Sound. He/She will engage relevant local communities, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations by developing multi-faceted, ecosystem-based collaborative initiatives. The Program Director will strengthen The Nature Conservancy’s scientific knowledge of estuarine ecosystems and contribute to the Conservancy's global and regional marine conservation goals by coordinating with conservation and policy staff across the organization.
The Program Director will:
• serve as the program’s primary contact and represent the face of the program to internal and external audiences;
• communicate regularly with a multi-chapter team of staff and trustees in all three state chapters, the Eastern US Conservation Division, and the TNC global marine program to develop, guide, measure, and refine progress on strategic and annual plans and budgets for the marine conservation program;
• communicate regularly and effectively with a wide variety of people with different backgrounds and perspectives, developing and strengthening working relationships with local stakeholders, state and federal government agencies, and other potential partners to develop collaborations that advance conservation actions related to marine conservation goals;
• serve as a spokesperson for The Nature Conservancy by articulating the purpose and importance of (and progress toward) marine conservation goals to potential partners and the general public through written communications, public speaking engagements, field trips, and participation in relevant conferences and workshops;
• coordinate and facilitate the activities of chapter staff, contractors, interns, volunteers and public and private partners (as needed) in the research, planning, and implementation of priority conservation strategies to conserve the biodiversity of Long Island Sound;
• recognize and develop new opportunities to advance program goals, promoting and garnering support for ecologically sound marine practices in Long Island Sound;
• develop sound practices for evaluating success towards conservation goals;
• identify fundable projects, develop proposals, and successfully secure funding through grants and private donors, working closely with members of the Philanthropy department on presentations and asks;
• contribute to overall chapter goals by participating regularly in TNC-wide activities, including staff meetings, training sessions, annual meetings; and field trips;
• perform other duties as assigned.
The Program Director will immediately play a central role in the following active projects:
• Long Island Sound Conservation Action Planning (CAP)
• Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and the Long Island Sound Ecological Assessment (LISEA)
• Seagrass Research
• Climate Change Adaptation and Coastal Resilience
• Providing oversight and guidance to stewardship staff for submerged-land management and shellfish conservation (CT Only)
The Director should possess strong project management skills and be able to motivate and guide teams, often without direct authority over staff. The ability to think strategically and form/manage strategic partnerships will be critical. Experience with policy development and a familiarity with the legal and regulatory environment is strongly preferred, as is an understanding of fisheries and coastal habitats.
The Program Director will be supervised by the CT Chapter State Director (in conjunction with the Long Island Chapter Director). |
|
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS |
|
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.
• Supervisory experience. |
|
ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION |
|
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. |
|
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 |
|
To apply to position number 13347, submit resume and cover letter as one document.
Failure to complete all of the required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration. The information entered in the education and work experience sections are auto screened by the system based on the basic qualifications of the position.
You must click submit to apply for the position. Click save if you want to be able to return to your application and submit it later. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. |
|
EOE STATEMENT |
|
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. |
|
