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Associate Director of Environmental Programs 

 

Position Description: Audubon International seeks a highly-qualified and enthusiastic individual to serve as an Associate Director of Environmental Programs. The incumbent will be primarily responsible for overseeing the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP) and ACSP for Golf, and will play a supporting role in the implementation of three additional programs – the Audubon Signature Program, Audubon Green Lodging Program, and Audubon Sustainable Communities Program. In the course of supporting the delivery of these programs, the incumbent will work as part of a collaborative team of dedicated staff members, directly engage a wide range of stakeholders (golf course superintendents, club managers, property managers, cooperative extension, government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, academic institutions, private sector firms, etc.), and report directly to the President & CEO to meet annual member growth, retention, and service goals.

 

Organization Overview: Audubon International is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit environmental organization headquartered in the Albany area of upstate New York. The organization currently has 10 full-time, permanent staff members and is governed by a 9-member Board of Directors.

 

Audubon International’s mission is:

  • To inspire people to act as stewards of nature where they live, work, and play
  • To protect and enhance land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources
  • To facilitate responsible environmental practices through education and recognition.

 

The organization, which has been in existence for over 25 years and is not affiliated with National Audubon, works with a wide range of interested partners, including golf courses, developers, agriculture producers, small businesses, large corporations, academic institutions, fellow not-for-profits, community associations, local governments, and state and federal agencies. Through education, technical assistance, certification, and recognition, Audubon International facilitates the implementation of natural resource management practices that ensure land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources are sustainably used and conserved. Utilizing a set of award-winning environmental education and certification programs, Audubon International is able to positively impact environmental health at multiple geographic scales, including individual properties, communities, and ecoregions.

 

ACSP

The ACSP is an education and certification program that helps organizations and businesses protect our environment while enhancing their bottom line. The “plan-do-check-act” approach of the program offers information and guidance to implement an environmental management plan that improves efficiency, conserves resources, and promotes conservation efforts.  Audubon International awards certification to publicly recognize and reward the environmental achievements and leadership of ACSP members.

 

The ACSP for Golf Courses is a widely recognized and highly-regarded education and certification program that helps protect our environment and preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf. The program serves as a valuable resource for golf courses by facilitating the conservation and restoration of wildlife habitat, enhancing environmental health, improving economic efficiency by reducing operating costs, minimizing potentially harmful impacts of golf course operations, and providing courses with valuable communications and marketing tools.

 

Audubon Signature Program

The Signature Program is an environmental education and conservation assistance program created to help landowners and managers follow comprehensive sustainable resource management principles when developing and managing properties. By working closely with planners, architects, managers, and key stakeholders, the Signature Program helps landowners and developers design for the environment so that both economic and environmental objectives are achieved and sustained in the long-term.

 

Audubon Green Lodging Program

The Green Lodging Program provides third-party verification that audited lodging facilities have met environmental best practice standards and have demonstrated a strong commitment to water quality, water conservation, waste minimization, resource conservation, and energy efficiency. Through a comprehensive and credible method for assessing the extent of the environmental measures undertaken, participating facilities can reduce environmentally-related costs and gain a marketing advantage.

 

Audubon Sustainable Communities Program

Audubon International’s Sustainable Communities Program uses incentive-based strategies to help whole communities become healthy and vibrant places in which to live, work, and play–both today and tomorrow. That vision is founded in the three pillars of sustainability–a healthy local environment, quality of life for citizens, and economic vitality. The program is tailored to each community to ensure that its specific values, goals, needs, and challenges are effectively addressed in a manner that simultaneously advances environmental health as measured by numerous sustainability indicators (i.e., wildlife habitat and biodiversity protection). Through the program, communities work with Audubon International to establish priorities, develop an overarching plan, and take action that leads to environmental benefits at the community level.

 

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

Administrative

  • Work with the President & CEO and other program specialists to develop and implement yearly goals, objectives, strategies, and budget proposals for ACSP and ACSP Golf programs in conjunction with other programs being implemented by the organization.
  • Participate in organization- and program-level strategic planning efforts.
    • Coordinate with appropriate AI’s staff to ensure that information maintained in the organization’s web-based member database is up-to-date and accurate.

 

Program Member Service

  • Assist Audubon International members in the development of management plans and other technical documents required as a component of the organization’s rigorous education and certification process.
  • Serve members via requests for information through timely in-person, written, telephone, and email communication.
  • Conduct periodic site visits to assist members with ongoing environmental planning and management activities.
  • Cooperate with Audubon International’s network of partners to ensure that program materials are up-to-date and being disseminated to appropriate audiences.

 

Outreach & Education

  • In conjunction with the President & CEO, Associate Director of Advancement, Outreach & Communications Coordinator, Membership Coordinator, and other appropriate staff members, the incumbent will play a leading role in marketing and promoting all of Audubon International’s education and certification programs.
  • Conduct direct sales (in-person, phone, email, etc.) efforts to support growth in program membership and other professional services AI is contracted to perform.
  • In conjunction with the President & CEO, Associate Director of Advancement, Outreach & Communications Coordinator, Membership Coordinator, assist with promoting and implementing special events or summits held periodically to recruit and retain members in the ACSP and ACSP Golf programs.
  • Develop and conduct seminars, presentations, and informational briefings to help educate Audubon International members (active and prospective) about the benefits of sustainable natural resource management and the efficacy of the organization’s approach to environmental stewardship.
  • Promote all Audubon International programs via stakeholder meetings, media interviews, newsletters, and participation in various industry and environmental working groups.
  • Play a leading role in the growth program membership and the development of relationships with other public and private sector organizations (i.e., TNC, National Audubon Society, APA, GCSAA, USGA, and CMAA) interested in partnering with Audubon International in the delivery of the its education and certification programs.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

  • A bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field of study (i.e., environmental studies, natural resource management, wildlife ecology, conservation biology) and at least 5 years of related professional experience, OR a master’s degree in an appropriate field of study (i.e., environmental studies, natural resource management, wildlife ecology, conservation biology) and at least 3 years of related professional experience.
  • Must be dedicated to educating and encouraging golf course superintendents and other types of land managers become actively involved in environmental stewardship projects
  • Familiarity with wildlife and ecosystems of (particularly North America)
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills and experience working with diverse constituencies and membership demographics.
  • Ability to excel both by working independently and as part of a collaborative team.
  • Strong technical and persuasive writing skills.
  • Computer proficiency (i.e., Microsoft Office suite, database management, internet-based research, professional applications of social media)
  • Experience using GIS is desirable
  • Knowledge and/or professional experience in golf course management is highly desirable
  • Pre-existing professional connections in the golf industry is highly desirable

 

Compensation: This is a full-time, permanent position. Audubon International offers a mission-driven work environment that promotes continued employee growth and development. The organization offers its employees a strong compensation package, including competitive salary, excellent health benefits, retirement benefits, and generous vacation.

 

Deadline for Application: March 17, 2014

 

How to Apply:

Submitted applications will be reviewed upon receipt and must include the following:

  • Cover letter summarizing the candidate’s qualifications for the position, including a description of how prior educational training, experience and skills prepare the candidate to fulfill the job responsibilities detailed above
  • Curriculum vitae or resume
  • Contact information (name, job title, phone and email) for 3-5 professional references
  • Writing sample (5 pages maximum) which demonstrates analytical reasoning skills and ability to communicate technical concepts or analysis to a non-technical audience
  • Application materials should be submitted via e-mail to ryan@auduboninternational.org with the job title and your name in the subject line (i.e., Associate Director of Environmental Programs – Jane Smith)

Audubon International is an equal opportunity employer committed to practices that ensure employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.