Missouri River Program Director

Office location may be negotiable within an established TNC office in Nebraska (NE), Iowa (IA), Minnesota (MN) or Missouri (MO)
TNC

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.
TNC

The Missouri River Program Director oversees the regional aspects of TNC’s multi-state conservation efforts in the basin.  S/he provides strategic leadership, coordination and support for the Conservancy’s system wide conservation planning and implementation in theMissouri basin with a focus on developing highly leveraged, regionally focused conservation strategies.  S/he serves as the principle contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations and the academic community working at the regional or basin scale.  S/he may coordinate specific government relations policy and appropriations strategies across multiple State Chapters in the basin, and may also work with Chapters or related staff to identify, cultivate and steward donors specific to the basin/region.  Specific activities include but are not limited to:

• Maintains and enhances the Conservancy’s role as a major conservation partner within the Missouri River basin.
• Leads the Missouri River Basin Board (if created), individual State Directors and Project Staff as appropriate in the identification, planning and implementation of conservation priorities and strategies in the region.
• Coordinates and integrates as necessary conservation staff and at-scale strategic implementation across the region.
• May coordinate, integrate and lead related activities (i.e. marketing and outreach, philanthropy and government relations) needed to support conservation outcomes.
• Will coordinate Missouri River basin conservation and related efforts with those at the Divisional and North American scales.
• May lead and manage teams both internal and external to TNC to facilitate conservation efforts which support and improve conservation outcomes.
• Develops key partnerships with public & 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 and ways to leverage conservation action across the region.
• Engages Chapter Boards, Congressional delegations and other decision makers in advocating for appropriate conservation policy and associated funding.
• Negotiates complex and innovative solutions with government agencies, landowners and private funders to conserve and protect conservation targets at scale.
• Works with other regionally focused staff in the greater MS Basin to coordinate basin wide strategy, share lessons learned and facilitate communication and coordination.

• BA/BS degree and 10 years experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with hydrology, floodplain management and agricultural production/water quality.
• Experience in the development, writing and management of both public and private grants as well as some experience with major gifts fundraising/donor management.
• Experience directing a major conservation program of strategic importance, including the development and implementation of multi-scaled conservation strategies, management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams and budget management.
• Experience with ecosystem services.
• Experience working in the Missouri River Basin with producers, state and federal agencies and regulators (USACE) on conservation, agricultural and restoration efforts.
• Experience in partnership development – especially as it relates to state and federal agricultural interests (NRCS, Farm Bureau Levee Districts), regulatory agencies such as the USACE and EPA and non-profit conservation organizations.
• Experience in working with local, state and federal officials and elected policy makers in the development and implementation of conservation strategy.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree and 10-12 years experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans at the state and/or country level
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions
• Developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiativesand experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Motivating team members, setting goals and leading efforts 
• Delivering practical, adaptable products and services to customers
• Knowledge of politics and society with respect to environmental affairs
• Managing time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results
• Communicating 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 success as an inspirational manager who has successfully motivated staff to achieve and sustain excellence.
• Demonstrated leadership and visionary qualities and able to work effectively with and through others in a decentralized and geographically dispersed organization.
• Successful experience in partnership development (partners, community, government, etc) including extensive networking with high-level conservation contacts; political savvy.
• Proven interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills. 

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT

The Program Director III 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

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. 
TNC

To apply to position number 41592, 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 6, 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