Would you like to take the lead in ensuring that future energy policy and development is sustainable and environmentally sound? Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences has an immediate opening for a talented and energetic Senior Program Leader to join our team. As one of the nation’s oldest independent environmental research centers, Manomet is developing innovative models for businesses, agencies, and communities to forge a new partnership with the planet. We convene stakeholders and help develop science-based, enduring solutions that work in the real world and improve conditions for wildlife, habitats and people. For more information, please visit our website at www.manomet.org.
Position Summary
Manomet has launched a major new project focused on ensuring that future energy development in the Northeast will be environmentally sustainable and protective of ecological habitats and wildlife. The Senior Program Leader will direct this project and report to the Director of the Climate Change and Energy Initiative. Beyond the current project, we will require the Senior Program Leader to develop an Energy and Environment Program that will provide national leadership in this important field, especially in relation to wind energy and the power grid.
The position is located at Manomet’s headquarters directly on beautiful Cape Cod Bay, in Plymouth, MA, 45 miles south of Boston.
About Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences
Manomet is a 40-year-old non-profit environmental research center dedicated to conserving natural resources for the benefit of wildlife and humans. Our perspective is that society’s economic, social, and environmental values are connected and must be integrated to find lasting solutions for a sustainable planet. We produce and synthesize scientific information that helps communities, businesses, and government make informed decisions about natural resource sustainability. We are known for working side-by-side with stakeholders to put the best science to use on the ground. Our headquarters are located in Plymouth, MA and we also have offices in Maine and Vermont. With an annual budget of $4.3M and a staff of 32, Manomet offers an entrepreneurial atmosphere of dedicated professionals who support each other toward a common vision of creating a more sustainable planet.
About Manomet’s Climate Change and Energy Initiative
Manomet has built a cutting-edge program in climate change mitigation and adaptation in the past two years. Our focus has been on assessing the vulnerability of habitats, species, and ecosystems to climate change in the Northeast, assisting governmental agencies in developing “climate-smart” policy, integrating climate change adaptation into wildlife management, and developing forest carbon offset markets for forestland owners. In the energy sector, we are working on developing “green grids” for new energy infrastructure, and evaluating the economic and environmental potential of using woody biomass for energy in Massachusetts.
A New Opportunity
With grants from the Wildlife Conservation Society and from The Island Foundation, we have launched a new project that will focus on applying the best science to ensuring that future planning and development of the national (“green”) grid will benefit ecosystems and plant and wildlife populations. The major goals of the project are to assist 13 northeastern states (ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, MD, DE, VA and WV) and Washington DC in the management of utility corridors to 1) promote connection of renewable energy projects to the grid, 2) safeguard against impacts to species/habitats, 3) promote habitat for corridor specialists, and 4) optimize grid management for habitat and species movement in the face of climate change. This project will assist in the implementation of 13 State Wildlife Action Plans that seek protect priority wildlife connectivity areas, integrate plans for energy infrastructure with wildlife requirements, and incorporate strategies for wildlife adaptation to climate change with wildlife planning and alternative energy development.
This project will be recognized as a source for leadership in all future grid planning and implementation in the U.S.
Beyond the current project, the Senior Program Leader position offers a great opportunity to develop a national reputation in energy and the environment, particularly with wind energy development, and to grow a lasting program in sustainable and environmentally sound energy infrastructure.
Essential Functions
The Senior Program Leader will be primarily responsible for the successful execution and completion of a currently funded project through the Wildlife Action Opportunities Program run by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Specific responsibilities include:
1. Work closely with all energy stakeholders in the 13 northeastern states and Washington DC to translate our scientific knowledge into sustainable and environmentally protective solutions to the challenges of energy planning, implementation, and sighting.
2. Create a regional partnership of state wildlife agency staff, regional energy regulators, industry representatives, and conservation organizations in the 14 northeastern states to promote wildlife resource protection in the development of renewable energy infrastructure.
3. Conduct wildlife opportunities analyses for utility corridors associated with 5-10 proposed wind energy projects in each state which will include: scenario planning for the protection of sensitive species; promotion of landscape-level connectivity, and opportunities to build resilience in climate-sensitive species; developing habitat and matrix-specific recommendation for best practices in utility corridor management to achieve optimal wildlife outcomes; and creating databases for future scenario planning.
4. Meet all project milestones and deliverables of the current grants on time and with high standard of quality.
5. Communicate to the public, government officials, civic groups, philanthropic foundations, and other interested individuals about the project and about energy adaptation.
Over the longer term, the Senior Program Leader will also:
1. Work with the Director of Manomet’s Climate Change and Energy Initiative to: track energy policy in the Northeast and nationally; define new policy leading to more sustainable and protective energy development; and assist the Director in identifying and realizing new opportunities for energy funding and research.
2. Assist in raising new funding from donors, foundations, and industry and government sources.
Qualifications
• Broad background in natural resource policy/science, energy planning, and/or natural resource economics, especially wind energy development.
• Master’s or Ph.D., preferably from a natural resource, environmental engineering, resource economics, or sustainability program.
• Ability to work comfortably and respectfully with diverse stakeholders, especially conservation organizations, industry, regulatory agencies, and landowners.
• Strong understanding of current energy challenges (especially wind), energy development and environmental impacts, and likely future energy policy and solutions at the regional and national levels.
• Highly energetic, smart, a self-starter, motivated to build a professional reputation and program, able to work independently, and able to provide strong senior leadership within Manomet.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills required, as are excellent interpersonal skills.
• Willing to travel regionally, but work will be primarily in the Northeast.
• Ability to create and manage annual budgets, and write competitive and successful proposals for growing the program in the future.
