Senior Program Manager, Columbia Plateau

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 Senior Program Manager leads Audubon’s work to increase and enhance shrub-steppe birds, habitat and climate resilience in the Columbia Plateau ecoregion, Washington. This position will work in close partnership with landowners, agencies, conservation organizations, and tribes to support strategic delivery and landowner access to state and federal landowner stewardship opportunities, technical support, and land conservation tools. The position will provide rangeland ecology expertise (avian ecology and shrub-steppe ecosystem preferred) to inform and collaborate with partners and landowners on implementation of best management practices, restoration and stewardship projects, and fire and climate resiliency practices for the benefit of birds and people. The Senior Program Manager reports to Audubon Washington’s Director of Bird Conservation and works closely with National Audubon Society staff in Washington and across the U.S. and Western Hemisphere.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about bird conservation and landowner stewardship, experienced working in partnership with individuals and organizations that bring different cultural perspectives to conservation, and will have demonstrated expertise in avian ecology, shrub-steppe or rangeland management, and private landowner restoration/stewardship project development and implementation.

Compensation:

$70,000-$80,000 / year

Essential Functions

• Serve as the voice for birds with partners and stakeholders on the identification of shared landscape priorities and desired outcomes for shrub-steppe ecosystem conservation.
• Provide rangeland ecology expertise (avian and shrub-steppe ecosystem a plus) to inform and collaborate with partners and private landowners on the implementation of best management practices, restoration and stewardship projects, and fire and climate resilience practices for the benefit of shrub-steppe birds and people.
• Coordinate with conservation districts, Farm Service Agency, NRCS, USFWS, WDFW, tribes, and land trusts to better support the coordination, delivery and access to landowner stewardship programs and technical support under public programs such as: County Voluntary Stewardship Programs, the U.S. Farm Bill, and the Washington Shrubsteppe Restoration and Resiliency Initiative (WSRRI).
• Work closely with National Audubon Conservation Ranching (ACR) program staff, and local NRCS offices to explore opportunities, feasibility, and funding to expand the ACR program to Washington.
• Lead the preparation and management of funding proposals and agreements and meet with
  program donors and supporters as needed.
• Work with Audubon Washington conservation and policy staff to identify key strategies that will increase Audubon’s capacity to further the goals of the Columbia Plateau conservation program.
• Work closely with eight eastern Washington Audubon chapters to build public support and awareness of bird stewardship projects in their region.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in rangeland ecology and management, avian ecology, natural resources management, wildlife management, or related field required (Master’s preferred). Equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Seven plus years of experience with conservation project development, management and implementation, natural resource stakeholder engagement, conservation planning, or similar work.
• Experience working with local agencies and organizations to help landowners secure cost-share and incentive program funding and implementing beneficial rangeland management practices.
• 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.
• 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 shrub-steppe birds and their habitat associations a must.

This position is a union eligible position and 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.

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