Manager, Conservation

Job Description: • 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. • Work closely with local landowners, other public agencies, tribes, NGO partners, and Audubon’s network of chapters and volunteers. • 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. • Manage and further develop ongoing conservation projects in Audubon’s key geographies. • Build new relationships and secure funding to expand Audubon’s on-the-ground conservation work in priority regions. • Work with the Great Lakes policy, engagement, communications, and science teams to build support that helps realize Audubon’s Habitat, Climate, Policy, and Community Building conservation objectives and policy goals. • Grow and diversify Audubon’s conservation partnerships, community science participation, stewardship engagement and advocacy efforts. • Plan, implement, track and report on habitat restoration and enhancement projects. • Identify opportunities, develop proposals, and secure funding for habitat projects. • Serve as project manager and fulfill reporting obligations as required. • 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. • Supervise temporary staff and/or volunteers. • 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. • Develop and communicate an understanding of local ecosystems and restoration best practices. • Serve as a public representative of Audubon. Requirements: • 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. Benefits: