Coastal Program Manager - National Audubon Society : Job Details

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 towards a future where birds thrive because Audubon is a powerful, diverse, and ever-growing force for conservation. Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the hemisphere and more than 1.5 million active supporters. North America has lost three billion birds since 1970, and more than 500 bird species are at risk of extinction across Latin America and the Caribbean. Birds act as early warning systems about the health of our environment, and they tell us that birds and our planet are in crisis. Together as one Audubon, we are working to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss. We do this by implementing on-the-ground conservation, partnering with local communities, influencing public and corporate policy, and building community. 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 brings new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

With nearly 3,000 miles of barrier islands, sounds, bays, and tidally influenced rivers and creeks, South Carolina coastal habitats support the highest concentration of bird species in the state. Audubon South Carolinas (ASC) coastal program is focused on the protection of these species, and on increasing coastal resilience of the habitats they need, through active efforts to maintain and restore habitat while also benefiting people. Audubons Coastal Program endeavors to protect shorebirds, seabirds, and marsh birds that are threatened by expansion of the built environment, recreation-based disturbance, and climate change related impacts such as sea level rise and increasing storm intensity. To address this broad mandate, Audubon SC relies upon coordinated volunteer efforts, education and outreach, and partnerships with federal, state, and local governments as well as for profit and nonprofit entities. This work is pursued in alignment with Audubons commitment to equity and diversity, recognizing that the most sustainable solutions benefit people and birds. Reporting to the ASC Director of Conservation, the Coastal Program Manager will ensure that the goals and objectives of ASCs coastal conservation and resilience work identifies and advances state opportunities and aligns with National Audubon Society strategic initiatives. They will collaborate with Audubon chapters and other state Audubon offices, external partners (such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Office of Resilience, nonprofit organizations, universities, etc.) to advance our SC coast conservation program. They will be responsible for leading ASCs efforts to protect priority coastal bird species and the habitats on which they rely that include beach, barrier island, marsh, estuarine, and maritime forest. The Coastal Program Manager will also serve as the lead for coastal resilience efforts to ensure that ASC goals and objectives for coastal conservation and resilience are integrated into regional efforts and programmatic initiatives, thereby establishing ASC as a state leader in bird conservation that improves coastal resilience, protects coastal birds, and ensures meaningful engagement and collaboration with communities and partners. These issues are complex and often novel in nature; thus, the Coastal Program Manager will utilize various tools (e.g., spatial data), published research, collaboration internally and externally, professional experience, and professional networks, to develop solutions and strategies to achieve goals. This position currently manages one position Senior Coordinator, Coastal Stewardship.

The standard workweek for this role is Monday through Friday, 40 hours a week, but nights and weekend work will be expected during the busy late spring and summer nesting season. This position is hybrid and can work remotely in the Charleston metro area (within 60 miles) or from the Charleston office. Some travel for meetings and time with staff in the state will be expected at least once a month. The Coastal Program Manager must be willing to commute within the eight counties of the Lowcountry, work seasonal schedules, and accommodate time in the field. Compensation $58,000 $68,000 / year

• Establish clear program goals and objectives for ASC that address bird conservation priorities, impacts of sea level rise, volunteer and community engagement, and financial outcomes. Integrate coastal program objectives into ASC conservation planning and goal setting efforts.
• Supervise staff and provide oversight of ASCs Coastal Stewardship Program including setting ambitious program goals, objectives, and metrics for success.
• Collaborate with state Audubon offices and national staff, to support policy, communications, and regional priorities related to coastal stewardship or resilience.
• Seek opportunities and write proposals to secure federal, state, and private funding to sustain and grow ASCs coastal program, projects, and team; and manage grant-funded deliverables and reporting.
• Cultivate relationships and establish partnerships with diverse groups and individuals, ranging from community leaders and residents; state and federal agencies and policymakers; other non-profit organizations, multi-organization coalitions and professional organizations; donors and funders; and members of the media to inform, elevate and advance ASCs coastal conservation priorities and projects in a just, equitable and inclusive way.
• Work with Audubons People and Culture Team on the hiring and management of entry- to mid-level coastal program staff and interns and/or seasonal employees to support the implementation of conservation and stewardship strategies; help staff develop specific work plans and goals; monitoring individual performance and providing constructive feedback and support.
• Support ASCs policy efforts by writing issue briefs, conducting scientific assessments, and providing counsel and/or testimony related to coastal birds and ecosystems.
• Drive the development of a research agenda and portfolio that leads to greater understanding of climate impacts on SC coastal birds and habitat, and that support the development of new, innovative, and cost-effective techniques for improving the resilience of coastal marshes and estuaries.
• Collaborate within ASC and with the national communications teams on strategies to raise the profile of ASCs coastal program to a broad audience through printed, spoken, and electronic media.
• Participate in the development and administration of ASC's coastal program budget and other administrative processes required of supervisors and employees.
• Partner with Audubon staff to incorporate equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging into the Coastal Program.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

• Bachelors degree in conservation, wildlife, natural resources, or related field required; masters degree strongly preferred.
• 5+ years of relevant professional work experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining creative partnerships with diverse groups, including local officials, businesses, NGOs, government agencies, private landowners, academic institutions and other non-profit partners and the ability to move them to shared goal setting or consensus.
• Strong project management experience including facilitation skills, fiscal management, time management, managing project deliverables, meeting deadlines, and reporting on progress. The ability to manage complex and multiple projects and prioritize is essential.
• Experience developing proposals for foundations, individual donors, and federal sources and tracking progress on those to effectively report out. Experience managing federal grants is strongly desired.
• Interest in, and firm grasp of, conservation issues, trends and research are essential.
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including public speaking, 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.
• A self-starter with a dedicated work ethic, a team-focused attitude, and the ability to work well both independently and with colleagues, volunteers, and partners to achieve program goals.
• 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.
• Technical savvy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office suite applications; experience with GIS, Adobe Creative suite, CRM software, or other web-based technologies a plus.
• Must have a flexible approach to work, with a willingness and ability to travel throughout the state and work some weekends and evenings as needed.
• Must have a valid drivers license.
• Experience operating or maintaining small boats and trailers preferred.
• Must be physically able to lift and carry 30 lbs. and traverse up to 4 miles carrying a spotting scope and day pack in South Carolina field conditions with or without accommodation.
• Spanish-language proficiency a plus.

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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