Utah Colorado River Project Manager
OFFICE LOCATION
Moab, Utah, USA
WHO WE ARE
The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.
One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”
WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER
The Colorado River Project Manager (“Project Manager”) develops, manages and advances conservation projects for Utah’s portion of the Colorado River Basin. This involves close collaboration with key internal and external partners in a sometimes challenging political context.
The Project Manager provides leadership and support to the Utah Business Unit by planning and implementing the Utah Chapter’s work in the Colorado River Basin to address critical threats to natural systems and individual species. Working in close coordination with TNC’s Colorado River Program staff, other TNC Division Conservation Priority staff, and the Utah Chapter staff, the Project Manager develops and implements conservation projects; employs a full range of project management tools and protection tools to acquire varying degrees of legal interest in land and water or to improve water management for the benefit of the environment; helps to define conservation priorities and long term strategies; secures public and private funding for TNC conservation priorities; and supports the Utah Conservation Team and the Colorado River Program with site, landscape, and community level information relevant to internal and external planning processes. They coordinate community and partner support for TNC projects advancing Colorado River Program work in Utah. They negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies, water managers and users, landowners, and other interested parties to conserve and protect natural waterways and waterbodies in Utah’s portion of the Colorado River Basin (in southeast and southwest Utah).
In addition to the essential functions described above, this position has the following responsibilities:
- Builds relationships and works with diverse interests to accomplish program goals.
- Negotiates and contracts with vendors.
- Assists with budgets development and manages a budget to complete projects.
- Writes grants for public funding and works with Development staff on private funding requests to support fundraising efforts.
- Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
- With minimal supervision, makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- May require cross boundary work and relationships.
- May require frequent travel and evening and weekend hours.
WHAT YOU'LL BRING
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in water conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Knowledge of Western and Utah water law, especially Colorado River policies and issues facing the basin.
- Experience procuring and managing contracts.
- Experience developing partnerships with NGOs, community groups, and/or government agencies.
- Experience communicating professionally via written and spoken means in English.
- Experience presenting to government officials, executives, and others.
- Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated
- Knowledge of tribal water rights.
- Knowledge of irrigated agriculture.
- Experience working with rural and indigenous communities.
- Experience acquiring interests in land and water.
- Experience negotiating complex agreements.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and natural resource preservation.
- Experience working closely with government entities that manage Utah’s waters in Utah’s portion of the Colorado River Basin (Colorado River Authority of Utah, Division of Water Rights, Division of Water Resources etc.) and other agency staff working on related issues, including the Bureau of Land Management, United States Forest Service, and city and county governments.
WHAT WE BRING
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
AUTO SAFETY POLICY
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’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." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.
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.
SALARY INFORMATION
The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $64,175 to $75,510 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.
APPLY NOW
To apply for job ID 55916, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on December 6. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.
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.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.
Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.