Senior Coordinator, Working 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 seeks a motivated, dynamic individual to support its Working Lands Program in California. The Senior Coordinator, Working Lands will implement habitat incentive projects, conduct science and monitoring, and coordinate advocacy and projects to advance Audubon’s conservation priorities in the Central Valley. This position reports to the Working Lands Program Director and works closely with the Working Lands Team, as well as a broad range of external partners, including farmers, wetland managers, local, state, and federal agencies, Audubon chapters, community members, and other conservation organizations. Audubon California’s Working Lands Program works throughout the Central Valley to advance policies and projects to improve farms for the benefit of birds, enhance managed wetlands, ensure adequate flooded habitat for migratory birds, and improve the climate resilience of wildlife in the Central Valley.

Essential Functions

• Partner with Working Lands staff to implement, track, and report on habitat enhancement projects on Central Valley wetlands, rice, Tricolored Blackbirds, hedgerows, and groundwater recharge.
• In close collaboration with the working lands team, manage project budgets, reporting requirements, and third-party contracts.
• Work with Audubon, The Nature Conservancy, and Point Blue Conservation Science staff to assess the value of alternative wetland and farm management practices and achieve research goals. Conduct bird and other habitat monitoring at research sites and communicate results to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• Navigate sensitive landowner relationships at private lands enhancement or research sites to enroll landowners in incentive projects.
• In collaboration with the Working Lands Team, engage landowners, agencies, and Audubon chapters to build partnerships for restoration and enhancement projects and advocacy for Central Valley habitat.
• Serve as a public representative of Audubon and the Working Lands team which may include presentations, public speaking, meeting participation and/or other interactions with agencies, NGOs, Audubon chapters, and landowners to both gather and disseminate information.
• Help identify, develop and write grants to government agencies and foundations to fund projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, natural resources management, or related field. Equivalent combination of education and experience also considered.
• 3 - 5 years of experience in conservation planning and/or project development/coordination.
• Ability to manage complex projects with a variety of partners and to meet deadlines is essential.
• 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
• Ability to build consensus among a wide range of individuals (e.g. conservation partners, private landowners and farmers, volunteers, and local community members).
• Demonstrated experience with grant writing, writing scientific reports or papers, and writing for a general, non-science audience.
• 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.
• Self-starter with a strong collaborative work ethic and ability to work independently.
• Comfort navigating contentious regulatory issues to seek common ground with diverse interests.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the people, values, and current conservation issues of agricultural landscapes and managed wetlands.
• Experience working on field research or monitoring projects; work in an agricultural setting a plus.
• A working knowledge of ArcGIS, comfort using a GPS unit and a mapping system through ArcGIS Collector on an iPad preferred. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required.
• A flexible approach to work and willingness to take on new projects or tasks as needed.
• Ability to engage in strenuous outdoor activity, carry field equipment and endure outdoor field conditions including cold and wet winter weather and extreme heat with or without accommodation
• Willingness to conduct in-state travel and work evenings and weekends as job responsibilities demand.
• Valid driver's license required.

This position is represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

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.