Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable.  One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.

SUMMARY

The Projects and Innovation Manager is charged with identifying chronic barriers to conservation projects across Puget Sound, and then bringing together teams of experts to facilitate solutions. At times the proposed solutions may be process driven (i.e. streamlining permitting challenges) and at other times the proposed solutions may be technology focused (i.e. use of machine learning and big data to inform decision making). Our TNC team works to bridge science and partnerships for the greatest environmental and social benefit.

The ideal candidate has experience in project management, facilitating teams to innovate, familiarity with capital project planning and delivery, tactfulness and a demonstrated ability to build trust with practitioners in ways that allow them to maximize their conservation impact. Candidates should have tenacity, a strong interest in tackling complex environmental problems, and comfort with technology (and the role disruptive technologies can play in acceleration of outcomes). They will apply their passion for the environment and skills to accelerate the recovery of Puget Sound.

Project Management, Technical Support & Problem Solving (50 %)

This Projects and Innovation Manager position will provide support to TNC’s Puget Sound conservation priorities by working directly with conservation practitioners, capital project managers, technologists, tribal representatives and community leaders to accelerate Puget Sound recovery. The portfolio of work may include coaching for innovative green infrastructure projects, advancing technologies to help clean water, or working through policy changes to accelerate the pace and scale of restoration efforts.  Solutions that normalize innovation may include certification programs, policy recommendations, program and process improvements, or use of emerging technologies. The portfolio of work may change over time, and yet all will be geared to address livability and climate change impacts, with a focus on solutions that carefully balance conservation and community benefits.

While this position does not directly manage capital projects, they foster cross-site learning among project practitioners and provide direct technical support to high-reward capital projects that may be perceived as being “risky” or “out-of-the-box” from a traditional conservation perspective. They will work with partners to incorporate cross-site learning and priorities into regional/state policies and programs.  They will work with internal conservation leadership and teams to develop and implement conservation strategies relating to regional project implementation and will be the primary contact for partner project information that may be used in storytelling, policy development, and strategy identification and tracking. This position will assist with securing public and private support for TNC conservation priorities, including government grants and grant management.  They will also manage contracts and other agreements.

Relationship Building, Network Management & Communications (30%)

This position will develop and maintain relationships with external project leads, particularly partners who are implementing innovative or risky projects. In partnership with TNC’s Government Relations team, they will coordinate support among the practitioner community for strategic advocacy efforts, like advancing new policies and funding opportunities at the state and federal level. This position will also play an essential role in elevating stories from our partners’ on-the-ground accomplishments in recovering Puget Sound.

Other functions (20%)

The Projects and Innovation Manager will support colleagues in bringing facilitation and subject matter expertise to workshops, trainings, strategic and financial planning, and fundraising (donor meetings and field trips) as well as limited support to other chapter conservation priorities.

 

The Projects and Innovation Manager is a mid-level, conservation team position within the Washington Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. They influence strategic direction, have fiscal responsibility and discretion over some budget decisions, and have accountability for conservation results within their control.

 

Within the scope of the position, the Projects and Innovation Manager will:

•        Develop strong working relationships with capital project and technology project proponents and community leaders advocating for Puget Sound recovery projects.
•        Empower, motivate, and coach local and regional project partners in catalyzing, developing and implementing innovative, game-changing pilot projects.
•        Establish a process for identifying chronic problems and build team’s comfort with leading change through an iterative approach.
•        Work with TNC’s Puget Sound conservation team and partners to develop and test innovative, community-inclusive solutions to chronic barriers to project implementation, focused on   increasing the pace and scale of Puget Sound recovery. Solutions that normalize innovation may include certification programs, policy recommendations, program and process improvements, or use of emerging technologies.
•        Organize and manage a high level of detail while prioritizing and maintaining high quality-control standards.
•        Be responsible and accountable for meeting priority strategic goals and objectives within their control.
•        Contribute to raising public, private, and other funding to meet program needs.
•        Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
•        May supervise administrative staff and/or volunteers, interns, temporary staff or contractors.

 

Work Environment and Schedule

•        Position will work from either the Mount Vernon or Seattle office.
•        Position requires occasional (sometimes overnight) travel to regional meetings, project sites, and TNC events.
•        May require working extended and/or varied work hours, including on weekends.
•        Work will include some time in the outdoor environment and remote locations in varying weather conditions (sun, rain, snow) and sometimes rough terrain.

•         Bachelor’s degree and 5 years’ related experience OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
•        Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including oversight of scope, budget, milestones, and/or project resources.
•        Experience with principles of restoration and/or capital projects, including moving projects from inception through design, planning, permitting, construction and/or post-construction monitoring.
•        Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
•        Experience interacting with (and seeing the viewpoint of) diverse individuals and communities.
•        Experience developing or maintaining partnerships with non-profit partners, government agencies, scientists and/or tribes.
•        Ability to travel within Washington State; must have a valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one prior to beginning the position.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

•        Candidate may bring project management experience from engineering, construction management, policy, natural resource management, construction management, environmental planning or related field.
•        Project management experience and/or strategic planning certification (i.e. Project Management Institute, Agile, or similar demonstrated experience).
•        Experience in problem-solving, change management and/or process-improvement (i.e Lean, Six Sigma, Liberating structures, or similar demonstrated experience).
•        Experience in sustainable development (i.e. LEED, Envision, Living Building Challenge, or similar demonstrated experience).
•        Familiarity with Puget Sound recovery, including existing working relationships with the Puget Sound recovery community.
•        Grant application and management experience.
•        Successful track record of developing, facilitating and maintaining effective partnerships with agencies, tribes, elected officials, and community leaders.
•        Interest in project consulting model (does not desire to be embedded with one community; one project)
•        Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
•        Familiarity with a design thinking, human-centered approach to problem solving is preferred, but not required.
•       Thrive both working independently and in team settings and driven to accomplish significant conservation results through teamwork.

This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with the Conservancy’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered “high risk drivers.” Please see further details in the Auto Safety Program document available at www.nature.org/careers.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee’s motor vehicle record.

Estimated starting salary: $60,000 – $70,000/annually, dependent on qualifications, experience and location.

 

To apply to position number 47318, submit resume (required) and cover letter separately using the upload buttons. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 25,2019.

Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.

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The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.