Manager, Conservation

The National Audubon Society is seeking a Conservation Manager for its Great Lakes team in Chicago, IL. The role involves building partnerships, managing conservation projects, securing funding, and engaging with local stakeholders to restore habitats. Key responsibilities include project management, community engagement, and public representation. The position requires frequent travel for site visits and meetings, emphasizing collaboration across multiple agencies and organizations.
Position Summary:

The Conservation Manager is an integral member of the Audubon Great Lakes team. They are responsible for building partnerships, engaging the network, and implementing conservation projects that realize Audubon’s ambitious goals for the region. Working closely with local landowners (e.g. state agencies, park districts, land trusts, utility companies, etc.), other public agencies, tribes, NGO partners, and Audubon’s network of chapters and volunteers, the Conservation Manager will restore habitat for birds and people while building a diverse constituency that stewards habitat and builds strong public policy across the five-state Great Lakes region.

The Conservation Manager will manage and further develop ongoing conservation projects in Audubon’s key geographies. This role will also build new relationships and secure funding to expand Audubon’s on-the-ground conservation work in priority regions as identified in Audubon’s Great Lakes conservation plans. Working with the Great Lakes policy, engagement, communications, and science teams, they will build support that helps realize Audubon’s Habitat, Climate, Policy, and Community Building conservation objectives and policy goals. The Conservation Manager will grow and diversify Audubon’s conservation partnerships, community science participation, stewardship engagement and advocacy efforts.

Compensation:

Salary range based on geo-differentials:
• $57,000 – $64,000 / year = National
• $64,000 – $72,000 / year = Alaska, CA (not San Francisco), Connecticut, D.C., Chicago, Oyster Bay, NY

Additional Job Description

Essential Functions
• Plan, implement, track and report on habitat restoration and enhancement projects.
• Identify opportunities, develop proposals, and secure funding for habitat projects. Once secured, serve as project manager and fulfill reporting obligations as required.
• In coordination with the Director of Conservation, build large and diverse partnerships to influence habitat management in priority geographies through monitoring, communication, and landscape-planning with landowners and land managers. Organize and run meetings and build strategies to strengthen existing and new partnerships.
• Provide support for Audubon Great Lakes’ Community Building strategies, including habitat-related internships and volunteers.
• When needed, supervise temporary staff and/or volunteers through establishment of work objectives and priorities, reviewing and revising these objectives on an ongoing basis to guide and mentor team members in their work progress.
• Oversee contractual habitat restoration and enhancement implementation.
• Work with Great Lakes conservation colleagues and national science staff to improve the application of research and monitoring results, as well as continue to refine conservation targets with regional agency and NGO partners.
• Develop and communicate an understanding of local ecosystems and restoration best practices.
• Serve as a public representative of Audubon, which may include presentations, public speaking, meeting participation and other interactions with agencies, NGOs, Chapters and landowners to both gather and disseminate information.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.
• Frequent travel for site visits, presentations, contractor coordination, public meetings, and partner-led events.
• Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.
• Maintains and fosters culture of safety.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, natural resource management, public policy or related field.
• 5 + years field experience in conservation planning and/or habitat restoration and enhancement techniques. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Ability to manage complex projects with a variety of partners and to meet deadlines is essential.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to build consensus among a wide range of individuals.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills that can be adapted to reach a wide range of individuals and used to build consensus among diverse audiences. Ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to collaborate with partners, and manage teams and projects ethically and in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated experience with grant writing, writing scientific reports, and writing for a general, non-science audience.
• Supervisory or leadership experience.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and the ability to engage and motivate diverse audiences.
• Comfort navigating contentious regulatory and political issues to seek common ground with diverse interests.
• Strong facilitation skills and ability to coordinate complex projects.
• Excellent judgement and a strong concern for safety of staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring physical exertion, outdoors, in all weather conditions and on difficult terrain, with or without accommodation, while maintaining a positive attitude and setting an example for intern crews.
• Ability to understand and explain the connection between conservation outcomes and public policy.
• Valid Driver’s License and the ability to travel throughout the Great Lakes’ region. Reliable transportation required.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule including evenings, early mornings, and weekends as the job demands.
• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
• Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments in valued.

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

National Audubon Society Competencies: This role will also be accountable to apply and develop the following competencies.

Fostering Relationships: Build trust, mutual respect, and understanding through regular and genuine interactions while promoting a positive and inclusive environment.

Analytical Thinking: Recognize and value diverse perspectives and experiences in data analysis to foster a more comprehensive and equitable approach to problem-solving.

Creativity and Innovation: Leverage creativity and imagination to generate new insights and solutions while embracing diverse ideas and approaches that foster innovation.

Facilitating Change: Work with others to explore innovative approaches to problem-solving while promoting inclusivity, equity, accessibility, and belonging in the change process.

Team Leadership: Communicate vision and engage others or the team to solve problems while valuing diverse perspectives and fostering inclusivity.

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

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.