Conservation Manager
Click HERE for a PDF of the full job description. Open until Jan. 20, 2017.

Employee Summary: Full-time, exempt position

Reports to: Executive Director

About the Organization:

Seattle Audubon leads a local community in appreciating, understanding, and protecting birds and their natural habitats. Seattle Audubon is Washington State’s oldest environmental conservation organization and recently celebrated its 100^th anniversary. We maintain a current staff of 12 and reach a local membership base of approximately 2,800 households. We recently completed a new strategic plan, Seattle Audubon 20/20: Sharpening our Focus, which has articulated growth in all program areas – environmental education, volunteer-powered citizen science, urban habitat conservation, and coalition building and engagement.

Position Summary:

Seattle Audubon’s Conservation Manager leads the conservation program, prioritizes Seattle Audubon’s engagement on local conservation issues and coordinates advocacy and outreach to support those priorities, develops conservation policies, serves as staff lead of the Conservation Committee, and works cooperatively with other conservation partners across the City of Seattle and around the region.

Success in this role requires a strategic thinker with solid political acumen and a commitment to genuine collaboration and partnership development with local conservation organizations. While many of Seattle Audubon’s conservation achievements of the past 100 years have included significant statewide and regional efforts, the new plan recognizes the leadership of our 25 sibling Audubon chapters around the state and seeks to support those groups and their efforts where they work; the Conservation Manager will continue to selectively engage in such regional conservation efforts as determined in cooperation with the Executive Director and in alignment with the priorities of the strategic plan. Seattle Audubon has defined a bold, urban conservation blueprint and this position represents an exciting opportunity to join Seattle Audubon as we implement a new strategic plan. In 2017, Seattle Audubon is launching the Neighborhood Flyways campaign, which seeks to restore unbroken migratory pathways across the City by supporting restoration of the urban tree canopy, amongst other applied conservation, outreach, and policy activities.

Evening and weekend work will be required. This position is based at Seattle Audubon’s offices in Northeast Seattle, in a highly collaborative environment. Competitive salary, sick and vacation time, and full benefits (health, dental, vision, retirement) are included.

Summary of Responsibilities:

General

• Work with the Executive Director and the volunteer Conservation Committee to guide the strategic conservation efforts of Seattle Audubon, while managing a diverse portfolio of conservation projects (including urban forestry, conservation policy development, threatened and endangered species, and coalition building, etc.).
• Monitor local and regional policies and projects likely to have an impact on birds and the environment, determine the extent of Seattle Audubon’s involvement, and share information with internal and external constituents.
• In cooperation with the Community Engagement Coordinator, recruit, mentor and support conservation volunteers at all levels.

• Working with the Executive Director, implement new programs identified in the strategic plan.
• Manage organizational efforts aimed at protecting sensitive bird species and their habitats.
• Evaluate conservation issues and develop organizational positions or comments.
• Create organizational documents (reports, maps, brochures, position papers, comment letters, resolutions, etc.) that advance Seattle Audubon’s conservation priorities.

Conservation Committee

• Staff the Conservation Committee: In cooperation with the Chair, establish and maintain committee processes; lead development of priorities, annual goals, and tasks; set meeting agendas; and, serve as point of contact for committee members.
• Assist the committee in determining a course of action for strategic priorities; manage volunteer-led projects; help formulate resolutions for the board.
• Be the initial point of contact for groups requesting our engagement on conservation issues and provide appropriate responses and communications externally and internally.
• Work with the Chair and other staff and volunteer leaders to advance the organization’s conservation agenda.

Communications, Advocacy, Outreach

• Communicate conservation information and board resolutions to our members and the public via website postings, press releases, newsletters, social media, and other means.
• Generate and distribute “action alerts”, legislative session updates, and other materials to mobilize our members and the public to take action on specific issues.
• Field calls from the public, our members, and other organizations.
• Serve as a spokesperson, representing the organization and conservation program to membership and the public via events, media, and outreach; articulate conservation topics to legislators, media, government agencies and other groups, including National Audubon, Audubon Washington, other Audubon chapters, and environmental groups.
• Use outreach to recruit volunteers from various demographics and areas of expertise.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree and a minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in environmental management, habitat conservation, conservation science, project management, community organizing or other related areas.
• Technology skills: skillful use of Microsoft Office and database management; GIS analysis expertise a big plus.
• Strategic thinking, political acumen, and a commitment to partnership development.
• Ability to multitask, problem-solve, prioritize, and delegate effectively.
• Able to communicate effectively and articulately.
• Comfort working in a highly collaborative, shared work space.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and be able to travel regionally.
• Ability to lift 20 lbs from the floor and able to navigate stairs.
• Positive energy, collegial focus, and the ability to maintain good humor under stress.
• Available to work evening and weekend hours as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five (5) or more years of experience in natural resource management, environmental advocacy, habitat restoration/conservation, project management, and/or community organizing; an advanced degree preferred.
• An understanding of environmental justice concepts and a demonstrated commitment to constructive efforts to expand equity, engagement and inclusion.

The ideal candidate will have proven conservation experience and a record of success. We seek a person who is a skilled communicator, who will provide a high level of energy, and provide inspired and effective management of our conservation efforts.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of Seattle Audubon to administer advertising, selection, employment, compensation, promotion, training, layoff, recall, and benefits at all levels without regard to race, gender, gender identity, color, creed, national origin, age, political affiliation, marital status, sexual orientation, physical, protected veteran status, mental or sensory disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Seattle Audubon strictly prohibits any sexual, racial or other forms of discrimination prohibited by law. Seattle Audubon’s new strategic plan was developed with an organization-wide lens of equity, inclusion, and broad engagement. Women, people of color, LGBTQ, and other talented applicants from historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

How to apply

Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter and a resume as one (1) combined electronic PDF file to jobs@seattleaudubon.org by Jan 20, 2017. No phone calls please.