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 Project Manager, Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust (GSLWET or Trust) will develop and partner to implement water transactions and habitat projects to benefit the hydrology of Great Salt Lake and its wetlands. This position reports to the GSLWET Executive Director and works closely with our partner, The Nature Conservancy of Utah (TNC). Additionally, they will work a broad range of external partners, including farmers, wetland managers, canal company managers, local, state, and federal agencies, community members, and other conservation organizations, as we launch the water Trust.
GSLWET has been established pursuant to an Act passed by the Utah Legislature in 2022. The goals of The Trust include:
- Supporting voluntary water leases and acquisitions to retain existing flows or enhance flows and improve water quality and quantity for wildlife areas at the lake.
- Funding efforts to protect and restore upstream wetlands and habitats in the Great Salt Lake's surrounding ecosystem to benefit the hydrology of the Great Salt Lake.
- Funding assessments to identify priority areas and protect essential habitats and hydrology connected with the lake, including areas providing return flow and groundwater recharge.
- Working with other partners to identify and address infrastructure needs and projects to improve water distribution or otherwise respond to low water levels and rising salinity in the lake.
- Supporting water management and planning efforts with key stakeholders.
The ideal candidate will have water acquisition and leasing transaction experience, knowledge of agricultural irrigation practices and experience working in the agricultural sector, preferably wetland or other conservation experience. The Project Manager must be able to work with a variety of partners, manage complex projects, communicate and work with private landowners, and should have a passion for science-based conservation and preserving Great Salt Lake and its wetlands.
Compensation:
$70,000 - $80,000 / year
Essential Functions
- In coordination with GWLET staff, oversee efforts to identify, develop, prioritize, and work with landowners, wetland managers, water rights owners, and water managers to secure water and improve flows to Great Salt Lake.
- Develop active partnerships with farmers, landowners and land managers, as well as federal, state, and municipal agencies, and conservation organization to implement farm management and wetland practices to benefit the Great Salt Lake ecosystem and improve wildlife habitat through restoration and enhancement projects.
- Partner with stakeholders to ensure sound science is applied to further the acquisition of knowledge to inform water savings through on or off-farm management practices.
- Coordinate large-scale science and monitoring efforts, working with GSLWET staff to achieve Trust goals.
- Working with the Executive Director and GSLWET staff, seek opportunities to raise the profile and disseminate information about GSLWET to a broad audience through presentations, public speaking, meeting participation.
- Assist the GSLWET Executive Director and development staff to identify and secure program funding, including identifying grant opportunities and fulfilling reporting requirements.
- Coordinate with the GSWLET Program Director to manage project budgets, reporting requirements, and complex finances from multiple sources.
- Oversee consultants, as needed, by establishing work objectives and priorities
- Partner with Audubon staff to ensure equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging principles are incorporated into our GSLWET work.
- Other job-related duties as assigned
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, hydrology, ecology, natural resources management, or related field, advance degree a plus. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
- 5+ years project management experience with demonstrated success developing collaborative conservation strategies and working with diverse stakeholders.
- Experience working on field research or monitoring projects; work in an agricultural setting a plus.
- Experience with science-based conservation initiatives and/or on-the-ground restoration efforts., desired
- Knowledge and appreciation of the current issues facing the Great Salt Lake watershed, desired.
- Knowledge of water distribution and management practices desired.
- 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.
- Strong leadership skills, including the ability to collaborate with partners, and manage teams and projects ethically and in a timely manner.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate with colleagues at all levels across the organization.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentations, 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.
- Demonstrated experience with grant writing, writing scientific reports or papers, and writing for a general, non-science audience, desired.
- Experience working with multigenerational audiences and diverse cultural communities and a commitment to increasing equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging as a core component of our work.
- A self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively manage a complex workflow.
- Exceptional organizational ability, attention to detail and a can-do attitude are essential.
- Familiarity with wetland management and wildlife needs in managed wetland habitats desired.
- Demonstrated interest in, and a commitment to conservation.
- A working knowledge of the latest ArcGIS/ArcGIS Pro technology preferred.
- Willing to conduct some in-state travel, occasional out-of-state travel and be comfortable with working evenings and weekends as job responsibilities demand.
- A flexible approach to work and willingness to take on new projects or tasks as needed.
- Ability to engage in outdoor activity and endure outdoor field conditions including cold and wet winter weather and extreme heat with or without accommodation.
- 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.
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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.