| Description |
When it comes to natural resources in this country, we don’t have a scarcity problem. We have an inefficiency problem. Current policies and market failures encourage waste and fail to reward environmental innovation. EDF is uniquely equipped to help fix this problem by accelerating the development of systems that make conservation and efficient land and water management profitable. In California, we are developing the Central Valley Habitat Exchange (Exchange) that aims to increase habitat conservation and restoration through performance and incentive-based approaches by working closely with the agricultural community. Through the Exchange, farmers and ranchers will be paid to “grow” habitat, resulting in a new funding stream that enables landowners to earn revenue by implementing innovative strategies to restore functional habitat, thereby putting rural communities at the center of the new conservation economy.
OVERALL FUNCTION
EDF seeks a talented, outgoing, and self-motivated Project Manager to play a significant role in the development and execution of EDF’s work to implement the Central Valley Habitat Exchange (Exchange). The Project Manager will oversee implementation of key aspects of this program, create partnerships in the agricultural community, and foster collaboration among NGO’s, agencies. and agricultural partners. The position offers the opportunity to build the scope and effectiveness of a multidisciplinary team working to accelerate the Ecosystem’s program strategic vision for improving environmental resilience and agricultural sustainability.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Project Manager will work closely with the Senior Program Manager, California Habitat Markets and our California team to manage and oversee program development; develop strategic relationships and collaborations within the agricultural community; and support integration of EDF’s national work on habitat markets.
More specifically, the Project Manager will:
- Support implementation of EDF’s California Habitat Markets program and coordinate efforts with our national Habitat Exchange team
- Help advance our strategies through the development of partnerships with agricultural and conservation partners
- Manage the work by overseeing budgets for project work, developing work plans, identifying and procuring necessary resources, overseeing consultants’ project work, timelines and deliverables
- Become sufficiently knowledgeable about the scope and breadth of the program’s activities to participate effectively in science committee, policy committee, and communications team discussions
- Lead landowner outreach and engagement and secure long-term participation in the Exchange
- Play a key role in developing and applying appropriate means for measuring project success
- As appropriate, conduct and facilitate stakeholder group meetings
- Communicate program results and lessons learned to internal and external stakeholders through reports, media and online outreach, conferences, and presentations
- Guide and mentor junior staff, interns or consultants to achieve project goals
- Assist in other activities including fundraising, evaluating and recommending new project ideas; disseminating and communicating project results; and being a team player in the development of an innovative program
Knowledge, Skills, Education, and Experience:
We are seeking an individual with an understanding of the California agricultural sector and habitat markets generally. In addition, the general qualifications for this position are:
- Experience working on agricultural conservation issues, in particular experience working with farmers and members of the agricultural community
- A working knowledge of the current theory and practice of habitat markets and the role private landowners can play in solving environmental problems
- At least 5 years professional experience, including project management
- Exceptional personal organization and attention to detail
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to work with colleagues and partners of varied backgrounds and experience
- Ability to adapt quickly to new situations and changing demands
- Ability to work both independently and as a member of small teams in a fast-paced, dynamic and creative environment
- Master’s degree in environmental science, management, policy, MBA or related field is desirable
Contacts and Communication:
The Project Manager will be in frequent (weekly) contact (both verbally and in writing) with key agricultural, NGO and agency partners. The Project Manager will also regularly update our internal team on developments related to the Exchange. To maximize the successful adoption of the Exchange, the Project Manager must be able to effectively influence a broad array of stakeholders on the merits of the Exchange.
Responsibility and Accountability:
- Level of Independence and Decision-making: Work of the Project Manager is guided primarily by expert-level professional knowledge and experience. The Project Manager independently determines approach to completing projects and managing processes and precedents are not always available. The Project Manager can make decisions regarding projects, programs and initiatives within objectives established by management and is relied upon for recommendations in areas of professional responsibility. Major project or policy changes require approval.
- Analysis and problem-solving: The Project Manager analyzes complex activities or information sometimes varied in content and involving some original arrangement or interpretation to arrive at logical conclusions. The Project Manager also applies knowledge to determine solutions to complex problems and uses research and analysis to develop innovative solutions.
- Management and Leadership: The Project Manager takes a lead role in a work group, team or project and is relied upon by group or team as expert in areas of responsibility. If team or group is within his or her area of expertise, the Project Manager will often lead team, develop work plan, make assignments, hold others accountable.
- Impact: Attainment of unit or departmental objectives dependent on the Project Manager’s contribution in areas/teams/projects of which he or she is part (and in some cases leads) because of professional knowledge and experience.
- Budget and staff: The Project Manager may have budget or staff responsibility for a junior team member and will share in outcomes/management for overall unit.
Due to the volume of employment applications and queries received, EDF is unable to respond to each application individually. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected as a candidate.
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