Vermont Freshwater and Community Resilience Program Director

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube  or on Glassdoor.  

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Freshwater and Community Resilience Program Director provides overall leadership and strategic guidance for all aspects of TNC-Vermont’s program to conserve freshwater systems and advance community resilience. They serve as the principal contact for this program to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations and the academic community. They establish the Conservancy as a major conservation leader and partner on freshwater conservation and its importance in building natural and human community resilience, define conservation priorities, lead and manage a team to implement conservation efforts, and build strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field. The Freshwater and Community Resilience Program Director develops key partnerships with public and private organizations, applies scientific tools and frameworks to identify and address freshwater and community resilience needs, and works to demonstrate and communicate the role of nature-based solutions in adapting to our changing climate. They negotiate complex and innovative solutions with public agencies and private partners to conserve and restore natural systems and develop and implement conservation strategies to improve both freshwater biodiversity and flood resilience of Vermont communities through connectivity. Occasional travel domestically, some evening and weekend hours. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

We’re Looking for You:

The Freshwater and Community Resilience Program Director provides overall leadership and strategic guidance for all aspects of freshwater conservation, restoration, and flood resilience for TNC-Vermont, ensuring alignment with Appalachian and Northeast Division freshwater priorities and outcomes.  General Responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic leadership and programmatic focus to advance TNC-Vermont’s freshwater conservation priorities.
• Managing staff responsible for implementing projects and initiatives to advance river connectivity and deployment of nature-based solutions to mitigate flood risk across Vermont.
• Implementing work and leveraging partnerships to advance freshwater conservation priorities in alignment with Appalachian freshwater conservation priorities at the intersection of biodiversity conservation and resilience to climate change: reconnecting rivers and streams and implementing nature-based solutions to reduce flood risk,
• Overseeing and supporting conservation planning, prioritization, research, monitoring, communication and outreach activities.
• Cultivating and maintaining relationships with key partners, including government agencies, funders, other conservation organizations, local communities, and academia.
• Coordinating closely with the external affairs team as a subject matter expert in developing policy initiatives and informing communications strategies.
• Collaborating with other TNC-VT conservation program leads to identify and advance opportunities to maximize conservation outcomes while ensuring efficiencies across the entire conservation program.

What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS degree and 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
• Experience with applying for and managing public funding.
• Experience communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Experience negotiating.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 7-10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and influencing conservation policy and plans.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions.
• Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
• Politically savvy.

What We Bring:

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become 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, we impact conservation throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $87,000 – $92,000 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.