Wetlands Program Manager

Virginia, USA

Eastern part of Virginia; Richmond, VA preferred

VA407

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.”

The Wetlands Program Manager directs and manages the Virginia Chapter’s Chesapeake Bay Wetlands Program and serves as the principal contact to government agencies, conservation organizations, private landowners, and the academic community.

The Wetlands Program Manager establishes the Conservancy as a major conservation partner within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in Virginia, defines conservation priorities and long-term conservation strategies, builds strategic, scientific, and technical capacity, and develops key partnerships with public and private organizations to identify and resolve barriers to delivering wetland restoration projects. They develop innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks and apply a systems approach to accelerating voluntary wetland restoration across the Chesapeake Bay. They build community and political support for local conservation efforts and negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners to conserve and protect natural communities. The position seeks to increase the pace and scale of wetlands restoration projects that contribute to TNC’s and the Chesapeake Bay Wetlands Program’s goals.

The Wetlands Program Manager uses their experience in wetland ecology and wetland restoration to coordinate with partners and advance projects. They will work to secure and leverage funding and assist with all aspects of project delivery as needed to expedite project completion and advance high quality restoration projects.

Conservation Planning: The Wetlands Program Manager identifies opportunities and develops strategies that accelerate the adoption of local and regional wetland and floodplain restoration projects. They will provide leadership and be part of a team responsible for refining current strategies and exploring innovative, bold, emerging strategies such as TNC’s Wetland and Floodplain strategy that support and align with our mission. The Wetlands Program Manager will apply the best-available social, ecological, and economic science to develop address barriers to implementation including financial mechanisms and incentives that support farmers’ ability to restore wetlands and floodplains.

Partnership Building: The Wetlands Program Manager will develop effective partnerships with federal, regional, and state agencies, conservation groups, the agribusiness community, and other public and private organizations engaged in wetland restoration to advance restoration outcomes. They will strategically manage relationships to advance our conversation goals in priority areas.

Program Delivery: This position will coordinate multiple projects, set deadlines, manage budgets and projects to completion while leading and collaborating with project teams of internal and external colleagues. They will oversee and coordinate existing and new grants to complete deliverables including engaging new landowners in restoration projects, managing contracts and subawards with partners, and tracking progress.

Program Funding: The Wetlands Program Manager will identify, advance, and leverage private and public funding mechanisms that support strategic research, the implementation of projects and practices, and contributions to aligned partner efforts.

• Geographic size and scope is the Chesapeake Bay watershed in Virginia
• Programmatic scope requires cross-boundary work and relationships, particularly with the Maryland/DC, Delaware, Pennsylvania Chapters, and the Chesapeake Bay Program staff.
• Leads and manages projects and project teams to support and improve conservation efforts related to wetlands restoration and conservation.
• Establishes and administers program budget, manages contracts and grants.
• Responsible for ensuring that public and private funds are raised to meet program needs.
• Builds cooperation from outside parties, including government, NGO, and private partners to accomplish program goals.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Frequently makes independent decision based on analysis, experience, and context.

• BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in wetlands or agricultural conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads and finances under deadlines.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies
• Experience negotiating.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• MS degree and 5-7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with rural landowners and farmers to deliver conservation projects.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising.
• Politically savvy.

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.

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.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $80,000-$88,000 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.

To apply for job ID 54605, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on February 19, 2024. 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.