Strategic Restoration Project Manager, San Joaquin Valley

OFFICE LOCATION

Fresno, California, USA.

The location for this position is anywhere within the San Joaquin Valley and will need to be available to be onsite at restoration project sites in Tulare, Kern, Kings, and Fresno Counties up to 50% of the time.

WHO WE ARE

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Grounded in science, we develop innovative 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; respect for people, communities, and cultures; and a collaborative, nonpartisan approach. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world. 

The California Chapter is TNC’s largest state program and one of the largest, most dynamic conservation organizations in the country. With approximately 275 employees, from financial analysts and fundraisers to ecologists and economists, we are currently invested in 14 strategies to address the biggest challenges facing California and the world, including numerous community-based projects designed to increase the pace, scale, and effectiveness of conservation. Over the past six decades, we have protected 1.4 million acres, 5,000 miles of streams, and 3.8 million acres of ocean habitat in California and off the coast. 

The California Chapter believes that we are most effective when we are embedded in our state’s communities, politics, and media, and personally invested in protecting our land, air, and water. For this reason, and to reduce our carbon footprint when meeting in person, all staff live in California, including those in a home office.

Finally, we are passionate about the middle ground in American politics and life. The hallmark of The Nature Conservancy is its “big tent” approach, engaging people across the political and ideological spectrum to find solutions that last. We ask all employees to embrace this critical strategic position of our organization.

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER

The Nature Conservancy’s California Water Program is working to secure a more prepared and sustainable future by developing the science, tools, demonstrations and enabling conditions to ensure we can meet the water needs of communities, nature, and the economy. Our multi-disciplinary team employs a variety of innovative strategies to provide natural areas with the water and habitat they need, including by developing ground-breaking science, engaging through policy, and collaboratively managing water resources with communities, farms, and ranches. Our Rewilding the Central Valley strategy aims to promote large, connect natural areas to support wildlife and people in a region currently defined by its farmland. The Strategic Restoration project contributes to that strategy by influencing the land use transition underway in the San Joaquin Valley towards restoring over 80,000 acres of habitat for upland species.

As the Strategic Restoration Project Manager, you will lead conservation initiatives, develop scopes of work and budgets for contracts, manage contractors restoring habitat on the ground, provide technical expertise on habitat conservation, write and manage public grants, schedule and facilitate internal and external meetings, and present our work and guidance in meetings, workshops, and conferences.

You will lead regional partner engagement with farmers, irrigation districts, groundwater sustainability agencies, and other NGOS, and support and partner capacity-building, expand funding sources, and push for the local and regional planning and coordination needed to ensure that Strategic Restoration projects are successful in the future. TNC and its partners were recently awarded over $10 million to advance these sorts of projects, providing a unique opportunity for you to not only make significant, tangible progress in the next few years, but also to identify a pipeline of future projects. You will help evaluate new project opportunities, test effective restoration strategies, provide technical and strategic guidance on restoration projects, and foster the relationships needed to succeed at the local, regional, state and federal levels. 

Your efforts will support, and be supported by, a senior scientist with expertise in habitat restoration, as well as a Project Director who leads strategic direction and partnerships. This position will report to the Strategic Restoration Project Director within TNC California. 

WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU

Are you looking for the opportunity to work with conservation leaders to transition to more sustainable land and water use in the San Joaquin Valley? Are you passionate about restoring habitat for threatened and endangered species? 

The Strategic Restoration Project Manager will be an important ambassador for our Rewilding the Central Valley project with local stakeholders, elected officials, partners, and the media. If you are excited by the opportunity to manage regional partnerships, support policy initiatives, and lead implementation of habitat restoration projects on retired farms and ranches in the San Joaquin Valley, apply today and build a meaningful career with us!

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• BA/BS degree and 5 years of experience in habitat restoration project management or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience). 
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
• Experience managing and tracking multiple projects simultaneously. 
• Attention to detail 
• Excellent communication skills via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Knowledge of conservation science, terrestrial restoration, and California water policy issues. 
• Experience developing, administering, and implementing habitat restoration projects. 
• Experience working with landowners, public agencies, and conservation groups to develop and implement restoration projects. 
• Experience building and managing conservation partnerships, coalitions, or networks with diverse partner organizations to achieve strategic outcomes. 
• Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences. 
• Experience with contract management and review. 
• Experience writing and reporting on private and/or public grants. 
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated. 

WHAT WE BRING

Each person who works at TNC contributes to our goal of protecting nature for future generations. Another one of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe feel that their unique contributions are valued. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “You’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.” To learn more, head to YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.  

We’re proud to support the health and wellbeing of the people we employ. We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package that includes healthcare coverage, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, and other benefits that support work-life balance. 

If you’re interested in working with us, please apply—we’d love to hear from you.

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 for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $70,900 – $91,725 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA and state of employment is California. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including the candidate’s location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Your location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

APPLY NOW

To apply for job ID 54658, submit your materials (resume and cover letter) online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 8:59 PM PST on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact [email protected].

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 [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

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 with diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. 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 orientations, gender identities, military or veteran status or other status protected by law. 

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