Seabird Program Director

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Title: Seabird Program Director                  
Supervisor:  Vice President for Oceans and Islands           
Location: The Plains, VA                                
Application Deadline: Monday, April 16, 2012

Introduction:

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is the only conservation group whose sole mission is to conserve native wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. ABC accomplishes its mission through direct action and by engaging the people, groups, resources, and strategies needed to succeed. It undertakes the full spectrum of bird conservation issues using advocacy and habitat conservation strategies.

 

ABC’s seabird conservation program advances the organization’s mission by: 1. developing solutions to threats facing the oceanic birds of the Americas; 2. informing and educating policy-makers and resource managers about seabird conservation needs and solutions; and 3. influencing government agencies and multilateral institutions regarding policy, resource allocation, and international conventions that affect seabirds.

 

The Seabird Program Director assists the Vice President for Oceans and Islands in implementing ABC’s Seabird Program goals. S/he is responsible for implementing an ambitious strategic plan for seabird conservation in the Americas; developing and implementing on-the-ground conservation projects to counter threats faced by the hemisphere’s imperiled seabirds; developing capacity in partner organizations abroad; reaching out to US and foreign governments and helping to ensure adequate funding for the program. The Seabird Program Director reports to the Vice President for Oceans and Islands.

Primary Duties:

• Develop and implement an ambitious seabird conservation program to protect seabirds and address their most pressing threats. The program will protect the most imperiled seabirds in the Americas as well as counter broad-scale threats to seabirds. Key program areas include protecting critical nesting sites for rare/endangered seabirds and the most productive nesting sites for seabirds that are more common, reducing or eliminating the threats to seabirds from fisheries bycatch and food web disruption, and reducing threats from invasive mammals and plants.
  
  
• Advocate for sound policies at the national and international levels to protect seabirds and their habitats and to reduce threats.
  
  
• Increase awareness of seabirds in key local communities and with major decision-makers.
  
  
• Build collaborative partnerships, both nationally and internationally, to carry out this program.
  
  
• Identify science needs and work with others to secure answers.
  
  
• Be a public spokesperson for seabirds and their conservation.

Position Requirements:

• A MS or PhD in policy, natural resources, law, business or related field preferred. Excellent background and understanding of conservation practices and bird conservation needs, seabirds specifically, and environmental policy issues.
  
  
• At least three years of experience in policy advocacy and conservation, and at least one year of international experience.
   
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic, visionary ideas into functioning, sustainable programs and initiatives.
  
  
• Ability to develop creative, energetic conservation and advocacy campaigns that produce lasting results. Ability to deliver conservation results that benefit seabirds.
  
  
• Experience in working with international partners, networks, and governments. Demonstrated success in working with a work wide variety of people and partner institutions, and in cross-cultural situations.
  
  
• Ability to build, lead and manage multiple campaigns or projects concurrently, and meet deadlines. Ability to both take direction and build consensus. 
  
  
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
  
  
• Technical proficiency in writing and reviewing scientific research, basic geospatial analysis, and basic statistics.  
  
  
• Spoken and written proficiency in English and Spanish are required. Spoken and written proficiency in Portuguese desired.
  
  
• Able to travel, often on short notice.
  
  
• Highly committed to conservation and to ABC’s conservation mission (see www.abcbirds.org). 
  
  
• The position will be based in The Plains, Virginia.

Application Instructions:

 

Please email a cover letter and resume to:

Merrie Morrison, Vice President of Operations here

 

Application Deadline is:  Monday, April 16, 2012