North Central Texas Project Director

Celeste, Texas (TX)

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in more than 35 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.                                                   

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, 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.
 

The North Central Texas Project Director plans, develops, manages and advances conservation programs in North Central Texas Prairies.  Plans and directs preserve management programs and stewardship for one or more preserves, including maintenance and restoration activities. Assists protection staff in employing a full range of protection tools to acquire interests in land and implements a variety of strategies to secure public and private support for TNC conservation priorities.   This includes the following functions:

• Responsible for North Central Texas  area landowner extension and outreach including participating with likeminded organizations to address critical threats to natural systems
• Fosters cross-site learning among conservation community and coordinates and participates in field tours and demonstration days
• Develops and implements conservation plans and strategies for Clymer Meadow and nearby Preserves, including implementing and/or revising existing Conservation Action Plan and Preserve Management Plan
• Implements habitat restoration projects with an emphasis on prairie management, grassland restoration, prescribed fire, and herbicide application to control exotic and invasive weeds
• Furthers the Conservancy’s strategic goals through identifying land for conservation benefit
• Complies with Conservancy Standard Operating Procedures on conservation easements in the North Central Texas region, including annual compliance monitoring
• Perform or oversee all administrative, budgeting, financial, personnel, and public relations matters for these preserves; this includes negotiating and contracting with vendors, developing and negotiating agricultural leases, and working with TNC legal staff on any legal issues related to the preserves
• Coordinate and participate with Chapter Philanthropy staff on donor visits to Clymer Meadow Preserve
• Prescribed burn assistance – must be able to maintain required physical fitness standards and NWCG certifications
• Supervise permanent, seasonal, part-time, and volunteer staff at the preserves
• Experience operating heavy equipment and tractors beneficial

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years experience in natural resource management, natural resource education or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, Web browsers, etc.
• Experience performing physical work.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years experience in natural resource management or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Ability and willingness to apply principles of conservation science to decision-making and for guiding activities
• Demonstrated experience communicating effectively with the public and/or media
• Demonstrated experience working with private landowners on conservation related issues
• Completing tasks independently with respect to timelines
• Experience dealing with public use of ecologically sensitive areas
• Experience with organizing volunteers
• Ability to communicate and work closely with scientists/researchers
• Working with media and influential officials, especially governmental, to improve Conservancy programs’ outcomes
• Knowledge of ecological land management principles
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation
• Managing time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g.; Word, Excel, Web browsers)
• Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages (Spanish speaking skills preferred)

AUTO SAFETY POLICY

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 North Central Texas Project Director may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions:

• require considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain
• present frequent possibility of injury
• require long hours in isolated settings
• Prescribed burn and wildfire response assistance – must be able to maintain required physical fitness and training standards
• 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.
• Qualified as or able to meet qualifications for FFT2, including Introduction to ICS (I-100), IS-700 NIMS, Human Factors on the Fireline (L-180), Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190), Firefighting Training (S-130), and one training burn serving under the supervision of a qualified FFT2.  See http://www.tncfiremanual.org/firefighter.htm
• Ability to achieve arduous physical fitness standard of carrying a 45 pound pack 3 miles in 45 minutes.
• Job location is negotiable within the  region an option for office space at Clymer Meadow Preserve available. 

To apply to position number 42175, 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 June 15, 2014.

Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.

If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of men and women of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

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