Mississippi Freshwater Program Manager, The Nature Conservancy

JOB FAMILY: Conservation
SALARY GRADE: 7

Jackson, Mississippi (MS)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Mississippi Freshwater Program Manager directs all aspects of a multi-faceted freshwater conservation program including science, restoration and community relations activities for TNC priority stream, river, and freshwater wetland habitats across Mississippi.  The MS Freshwater Program Manager also provides scientific/technical support, expertise and leadership for freshwater conservation initiatives for the Mississippi Operating Unit, particularly in the realm of stream and wetland ecology, nutrient transformation in stream/wetland systems, and impacts of sedimentation on aquatic communities.  The position serves as the principle freshwater contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations and the academic community within Mississippi.  Additionally the position will work with other staff on public policy such as the federal Farm Bill programs or Water Resources Development Act, etc as they relate to the conservation of freshwater biodiversity, and will take the lead on identifying needs and securing resources needed to successfully implement the program’s freshwater conservation strategies.

• Establishes and maintains the Conservancy as a major freshwater conservation partner within Mississippi and leads TNC efforts to improve freshwater conservation efforts in TNC priority areas.
• Supervisory experience required. Oversees work and sets objectives for other freshwater program staff, interns, researchers and contractors and coordinates efforts of collaborating peers
• Oversight of all freshwater conservation projects, including budget management and ensuring timely production of deliverables and reporting.
• Builds strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field
• Develops key partnerships with public and private organizations in order to advance core freshwater conservation strategies and to widely communicate solutions and best practices
• Develops innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools and frameworks to address needs of priority freshwater systems.
• Engages local community support for local conservation efforts
• Negotiates complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners to conserve and protect natural communities

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree and 5 years experience in freshwater conservation, management and restoration or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads, and finances under deadlines.
• Experience in written and verbal communication.
• Supervisory experience.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
• BA/BS degree in aquatic science-related field (hydrology, aquatic ecology/biology, or environmental science preferred) and 5 years experience in freshwater habitat conservation and/or restoration practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.   M.S. preferred.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in freshwater conservation in the region
• Developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives
• Motivating team members, setting goals, and leading efforts
• Delivering practical, adaptable products and services
• Knowledge of politics and society with respect to freshwater conservation
• Managing time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results
• Demonstrated experience in successful fundraising
• Successful experience in developing, directing and managing multiple projects.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience, including the ability to motivate, lead, set objectives and manage performance.
• Successful experience in partnership development (partners, community, government, etc); political savvy.
• Proven interpersonal, communication (written, spoken, and graphical) and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively as part of multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrated experience with software applications (MS Office,  GIS systems, and statistical analysis software).

ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION

POSITION SPECIFIC DUTIES:
• Provides entrepreneurial leadership to implement a program aimed at preserving and restoring biodiversity within TNC priority freshwater conservation areas in Mississippi.
• Defines freshwater conservation priorities and works with Marine Program to develop and implement estuarine and marine conservation strategies
• Works with other staff and partners to develop/refine Conservation Action Plans (CAP) for TNC freshwater priority areas as needed following TNC’s standard approach to conservation planning.
• Coordinates the freshwater conservation program in Mississippi with Chapter staff and partners; works closely with conservation staff to integrate terrestrial, freshwater and marine conservation priorities.
• Seeks public and private funding to support freshwater program priorities and strategies. Proven experience in successfully applying for and receiving public grants and contacts. Assist Philanthropy staff in donor identification and cultivation and fundraising efforts to support freshwater program.
• Responsible for developing, tracking and managing freshwater program budgets and deliverables
• Works closely with and coordinates MS freshwater projects/strategies with greater TNC initiatives. Serves as lead MS Chapter contact on internal and external freshwater working groups, forums, etc.
• Knowledge of political and societal issues influencing conservation of freshwater biodiversity in MS.
• Operates and maintains a range of field equipment, including boats and outboard motors, 4-wheel drive vehicles and ATVs
• Other duties as assigned

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
The Freshwater Program Manager may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions may:
• require physical exertion and/or muscular strain
• present possibility of injury
• require long hours in isolated settings
• require frequent travel domestically
• require regular travel within and across state borders, including some evening and weekend hours
• require use of motorized vehicles, including boats

HOW TO APPLY

Visit TNC online at http://www.nature.org/aboutus/careers/index.htm to apply to position number 13262. Please submit a resume and cover letter as one document.

All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, October 7, 2011.

Failure to complete all of the required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration. The information entered in the education and work experience sections are auto screened by the system based on the basic qualifications of the position.

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EOE STATEMENT

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.