Community Conservation Manager

Overview

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.

Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Position Summary

The Community Conservation Manager for Audubon Connecticut and New York (CT/NY) will be expected to lead Audubon CT/NY’s community conservation work, which seeks to engage partners, Audubon Centers and Chapters, and work across a range of communities to improve conditions for birds and for people. They will lead a program that provides conservation outcomes through technical training, environmental education, native plant projects, advocacy, and other co-created conservation efforts. Work shall include culturally inclusive programming, events, and volunteer opportunities and advance Audubon’s equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging strategies; grow and diversify our network; provide broad social and environmental benefits; and address the barriers which make natural spaces inaccessible to under-represented and underserved communities, while providing safe habitat and passage for the birds we love.

This role will report to the Network Engagement Manager and work closely with Audubon Connecticut and New York staff, including the Director of Center Programs and the Program Associate, Bird-Friendly Communities (BFC). Location is flexible within CT.

Essential Functions

• Oversee and develop a community conservation framework and engagement strategy for CT and NY (state); ensure strategy focuses on the needs of under-resourced communities and is aligned with Audubon’s state and national conservation strategies.
• Establish programs that engage audiences with actions and outcomes that improve habitats to benefit birds and other wildlife, facilitate access to green spaces, and includes a youth leadership component.
• Partner with state and national staff to advance community conservation programming including but not limited to Plants for Birds, Lights Out and Bird-Friendly Buildings.
• Work with the Program Associate, Bird-Friendly Communities to achieve grant deliverables in CT and NY.
• Partner with program participants, community members, and community organizations to help create, develop, and implement programs, trainings, and activities for community volunteers and other program partners.
• Serve as a public representative of Audubon which may include presentations, public speaking, meeting participation and/or other interactions with agencies, NGOs, Audubon chapters, and coalitions to both gather and disseminate information.
• Represent Audubon in the New Haven Harbor Watershed Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership. Collaborate with partners on grants/funding opportunities, facilitate occasional partner meetings, and share relevant programmatic metrics with the partnership in support of any shared grant reporting deliverables.
• Organize, schedule, and facilitate quarterly Urban Oases Advisory Council meetings.
• Develop needs assessments, metrics, and program evaluation methods, monitor and track program goals, timelines, and tasks.
• Supervise regular and seasonal staff through establishment of work objectives and priorities, reviewing and revising these objectives on an ongoing basis to guide and mentor team members in their work progress.
• Partner with Audubon centers, chapters, and national network staff to advance our shared mission around community conservation goals.
• Develop needs assessments, metrics, and program evaluation methods, monitor and track program goals, timelines, and tasks. Manage the BFC program associate position, as well as interns, fellows , and contract staff as necessary.
• Report program progress through quarterly reports and board updates with our development team.
• Manage Community Conservation budgets and operations, including planning, with the Network Engagement Manager and Executive Director. Partner with development staff to help fund our Community Conservation program.
• Work with the Senior Communications Manager to incorporate Community Conservation in organizational communications plans and activities; and work with policy leads to ensure alignment with policy program goals, as needed.
• Partner with Audubon staff to incorporate equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging into our community conservation work.
• Work with other staff to plan and hold quarterly meetings of the Board Community Conservation subcommittee.

Other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in community engagement, environmental education, or similar area is required, Master’s degree a plus, and 5 years of relevant work experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Well-developed cultural competence, sensitivity, and comfort working with diverse communities, and familiarity with existing community partners in New Haven a plus.
• Demonstrated understanding of principles of conservation, native plants, scientific monitoring, and development and implementation of research protocols.
• Experience overseeing complex and multiple projects in a matrixed environment to success, including meeting financial goals, project deadlines, and communicating and coordinating closely with key staff and partners.
• Must be comfortable presenting in front of groups and teaching to a variety of age and experience levels.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills that can be adapted to reach a wide range of individuals and used to build consensus. Ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience working collaboratively with partners and experience with managing seasonal staff and recruiting volunteers.
• Strong initiative and self-motivation, with the ability to lead in a dynamic team environment.
• Experience conducting needs assessments and program evaluation.
• Proficiency with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and other key Microsoft Office and web-based products.
• Moves equipment weighing up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation.
• Must have access to reliable transportation for some bi-state, regional, and local travel.
• The ability to work occasional nights and weekends.
• Demonstrated understanding of conservation issues and community science projects, as well as a keen interest in the mission of the National Audubon Society.

EEO Statement

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

Accessibility Statement

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COVID Policy

All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.