Manager, Conservation Programs

Manager of Conservation Programs – Northeast Program

The Ducks Unlimited Great Lakes/Atlantic Region (GLAR) has an opening for a full-time Manager of Conservation Programs for the Northeast. The Manager of Conservation will assist and help lead the Northeast conservation programs in the 12-state region (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, WV). This position will report directly to the Northeast Director of Conservation Programs (DCP). The preferred location for this position is at one of the Northeast Field Offices, Syracuse, NY or Easton, MD. Significant regional travel is required.

The Northeast conservation program focuses on restoring, enhancing, and protecting critical wetland habitat and has conserved over 230,000 acres.  Conservation deliveries average 3,000 acres/yr across freshwater and coastal wetlands and agricultural landscapes. We are seeking an individual with proven abilities to be a leader to help with program planning, project development and implementation, land protection strategies, strategic and business plan implementation, budget and personnel administration, programmatic fundraising, and partnership development and stewardship to help lead and grow our conservation programs. 

Ducks Unlimited, Inc., is the continent’s leader in waterfowl and wetlands conservation. DU has conserved more than 15 million acres across the continent and employs over 600 employees nation-wide.

Experience and Education 

Candidate must have 5+ years of experience with a conservation organization and an advanced training/degree(s) in conservation, engineering or another specialized area related to conservation is preferred. Relevant experience with land protection (fee title acquisitions and conservation easements), agriculture programs (USDA Farm Bill Programs), and wetland ecology is desirable.  Applicants must have a basic knowledge of state and federal lands protection programs and applicable laws, and state and federal wetland conservation programs, policies, and laws. Experience supervising staff (remote and in an office), managing large budgets, grant writing and grant management will be an asset.

Responsibilities:

The Individual will be highly motivated and be an experienced professional that is willing to be a leader helping advance DU’s conservation efforts in the Northeast.  

The principal responsibility will be to assist with planning and implementing habitat delivery programs which will include leveraging public and private funding and strategic coordination with our Northeast Biologist and Engineering teams. The position will also be responsible for advancing new opportunities with agriculture and land protection partnerships, as well as cooperating with DU’s Ecosystem Services team to identify new funding and programs that align with water quality and climate resiliency.  Position will supervise other staff within the Northeast region.   

Duties will include:

• Providing leadership to facilitate the growth and implementation of DU’s conservation initiatives in the Northeast, with a focus on wetlands, waterfowl, land protection (fee title and conservation easements, working lands (farm bill programs), water, coastal resiliency, and ecosystem services.
• Supervising (remove and in an office) a diverse staff of conservation professionals, including biologists and land protection specialists.
• Working closely with our Northeast Manager of Engineering Services and DCP to develop, implement and manage annual staff workplans for program deliveries.
• Guiding the development, funding, selection, prioritization, and delivery of conservation projects, including wetlands restoration and enhancement, land protection, and working lands.
• Managing existing diverse and discrete program elements including, development and administration of grants and agreements with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, North American Wetlands Conservation Act, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and state and local agency-funded efforts and have vision to pursue new funding and project opportunities for program growth.
• Build, strengthen and maintain relationships with federal, state, private landowner, and corporate partners.
• Preparing and managing annual program budgets.
• Working with development and fundraising staff to secure funding for conservation work and programmatic growth.
• Assist national, regional, and state specific communications and marketing efforts.
• Working with Directors of Conservation Programs, Planning, Policy, and Services on regional strategic and business plans, fundraising, science, public policy and budget and personnel administration.
• Deliver direct, or assist with, on-the-ground conservation projects within the program priority areas.
• Represent DU with regional conservation partners, working groups and other landscape level planning coalitions.

Salary: Average salary is $80,000, commensurate with experience & education. We work hard to encourage everyone at Ducks Unlimited to bring their authentic selves to work every day. DU offers an exceptional benefit package that includes comprehensive group medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance, including spouse and dependent coverage; three weeks paid vacation; paid sick leave and 10 paid holidays; 401(k) plan (including partial employer match); and tuition reimbursement.