Senior Coordinator, Private Lands

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

Audubon Texas is a leader and integral member of a community of conservation practice, founded in a 100-year legacy of coastal stewardship while establishing innovative programs to protect, conserve, and enhance habitat for a wide variety of bird species throughout the Lone Star State and beyond. This position will be focused on conservation delivery in the Texas Panhandle and eastern New Mexico.

The Senior Coordinator, Private Lands will work closely with local landowners to implement working lands programs, including the Audubon Conservation Ranching (ACR) Program and a variety of voluntary range and grassland conservation tools. They will work in partnership within a community of practice including migratory bird joint ventures, conservation organizations, and agencies to deliver robust private landowner programming. These working lands programs aim to improve private landowners’ ability to practice bird-friendly land management. The Senior Coordinator will be responsible for engaging, cultivating, and enrolling landowners into these programs and assisting them with implementation of innovative land management practices.

Utilizing habitat management plans (HMPs), an integral ACR conservation tool, the Senior Coordinator will partner with landowners to determine land management goals and ensure program compliance. These HMPs support practices such as adaptive grazing, prescribed fire, grass and rangeland restoration, invasive species removal, and establishing rotational grazing infrastructure. HMPs rely on the designation of priority grassland bird species for each ranch or project site. They will also conduct vegetation diversity and use monitoring to ensure landowners are compliant with program goals and are enhancing their grasslands to benefit grassland birds.

Essential Functions

• Liaise with landowners providing excellent technical service to agricultural producers participating in Audubon’s working lands conservation programs. Specifically,
o Facilitate demand for Audubon conservation programs through partnerships with local agencies and organizations.
o Connect with local conservation professionals and organizations to deliver programs and recruit new program participants.
o Provide timely access to financial assistance programs for enrolled ranches, through Audubon, local, state, and federal financial assistance opportunities. Refer producers to partner conservation programs when applicable.
o Establish and maintain professional relationships with ranchers and landowners participating in Audubon’s working lands programs.
o Communicate program goals and work with rancher/landowner to develop site-specific farm habitat conservation plans for each assigned ranch or project.
o Execute agreements and plan projects for landowners participating in financial assistance conservation programs.
o Facilitate enrollment process and assist Audubon project budget tracking.
• Advocate for science-supported habitat management on partner lands.
• Establish habitat management plans using SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time sensitive) goals on all enrolled program ranches.
• Conduct essential avian and grassland monitoring on program lands.
• Identify monitoring needs regarding avian and vegetation; develop and implement monitoring techniques to address land use, avian density and occupancy, and vegetation response to disturbance.
• Partner with working lands staff to implement, track, and report on habitat enhancement projects.
• In close collaboration with the working lands team, manage project budgets, reporting requirements, and third-party contracts.
• Help identify, develop and write grants to government agencies and foundations to fund projects related to Audubon Conservation work.
• Coordinate and/or participate in local events targeted at youth, professionals, or the general community to share expertise.
• Maintain excellent communication with supervisor and administrative staff.
• Identify and participate in opportunities that allow for continued professional growth and aimed at improving skills related to grassland management and avian conservation.
• Attend training events held by local partners, such as NRCS, USFWS, State DNR, Migratory Bird Joint Ventures, Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, and others.
• Serve as a leading resource for local producers and partners.
• Plan and participate in landowner workshops and other educational events.
• Represent Audubon at partner events, meetings, and conferences to promote and educate the public on Audubon’s working lands programs, grassland bird conservation, and grassland management practices.
Other duties as the job requires.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in range management, ecology, natural resources management, wildlife management, or related field required, advance degree a plus. Equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Three years of experience with project development/coordination, conservation planning or similar work.
• Experience working with local agencies and organizations to help ranchers secure cost-share and incentive program funding to implement improved rangeland management practices.
• Experience coordinating/facilitating field days, workshops, webinars, and/or symposium.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking, public presentation, and the ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Strong project management skills, including but not limited to setting and implementing effective goals and objectives, problem-solving, time management, contract and grant management, creating and maintaining collaborations with other organizations, developing public awareness activities, preparing reports, etc.
• Ability to build consensus among a wide range of individuals (e.g. conservation partners, private landowners and ranchers, volunteers, and local community members).
• Experience with grassland/ vegetation plant identification and management knowledge.
• Experience with avian identification and management knowledge.
• Experience with sampling methods, wildlife surveys, and habitat management.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the ranching culture, range management issues, and sustainable ranching practices.
• Working knowledge of ArcGIS, GPS and other GIS technologies including map making and data management/organization.
• Proficiency with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and other key Microsoft Office and web-based products.
• Must be able to work autonomously and within a team.
• Possess valid driver’s license for safe operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles.
• Ability to traverse long distances on uneven terrain and comfort to drive on unpaved surfaces with or without accommodation
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs with or without accommodation.
• Must be comfortable with extensive day travel and occasional overnight travel, as necessary. Willingness to work occasional weekends and evenings as the job demands.
• Familiarity with grassland bird ranges and their habitat associations a must.

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.

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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.