Director, Bird Conservation

Audubon Florida

Director, Bird Conservation

Tallahassee, FL

 

Apply online only at: https://careers-audubon.icims.com/jobs/4729/director%2c-bird-conservation/job

Position Summary

Audubon Florida has been a leader in the conservation of birds and their habitats for more than 121 years and the Director, Bird Conservation helps drive the organization in much of this work. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director, Bird Conservation is responsible for overseeing Audubon Florida’s coastal and Jay Watch programs, and consulting on bird conservation issues that emerge within the policy, sanctuary and network teams. Specifically, they will lead a robust coastal bird and habitat management program with more than 20 staff during nesting season who work as field biologists, volunteer coordinators, researchers and more. The Jay Watch program helps to monitor and map territories of Threatened Florida Scrub Jays, to inform prescribed fire application and other habitat management. The Director, Bird Conservation is also responsible for maintaining the Audubon Florida inventory of IBAs and associated data.

Essential Functions

Program Implementation and Management:

  • Supervise the implementation of Florida’s coastal bird stewardship work including Gulf Restoration and Florida Coastal Island Sanctuaries Projects.

  • Implement the Jay Watch program with support from the Chapters Conservation Coordinator.

  • Responsible for hiring and supervising program employees, seasonal technicians, and volunteers; effectively mentor staff and set appropriate but challenging goals that grow staff professionally and align with program outcomes

  • Coordinate with core partners like Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and US Fish and Wildlife Service on implementation of coastal program and Jay Watch.

  • Provide subject matter expertise to state Policy Director on Gulf Restoration, coastal, climate, land use and water policy work relevant to birds.

  • Engage with other Audubon state programs and national coastal strategy lead to attract resources to Florida and apply Florida’s data and techniques to hemispheric conservation of target species.

Communications:

  • Elevate coastal and Jay Watch profiles with general public, Audubon members and board through electronic, social and traditional media.

  • Collaborate with Communications Director to produce annual reports for both programs.

  • Lead field team in identifying and elevating conservation stories through Audubon Florida’s social media platforms.

Budget and Fundraising:

  • Collaborate with Audubon Florida development staff to identify, cultivate and solicit private donors, corporations and state and federal grant programs and provide updates on funded work.

  • Assume primary responsibility for the submittal of Gulf Restoration proposals and the associated reporting for those grants, with support from Contracts and Grants Manager.

  • Help develop and review a detailed annual and multi-year budget that advances coastal conservation initiatives and Jay Watch.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Master’s degree in ornithology, conservation/wildlife biology, natural resource management or a related field and minimum 10 years’ professional experience overseeing programs and/or environmental policy initiatives. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.

  • Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to oversee healthy teams and successful projects with a reputation for on-time delivery of results. Experience recruiting, organizing and training volunteers also required.

  • Proven record in project management including grant oversight, completing reports, contracts, articles and other projects.

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as strong interpersonal skills a must. Comfort with public speaking necessary.

  • A self-starter, one who is motivated, able to work in a decentralized work environment with minimal supervision, and juggle multiple projects simultaneously.

  • Experience with grant writing and/or individual fundraising is preferred.

  • A willingness to travel in-state, occasionally out-of-state, and be comfortable with working evening and weekends as the job responsibilities demand.

  • Experience in GIS is desirable.

  • Comfort with identification of birds of Florida by sight and sound, as well as familiarity with Florida coastal processes and land management.

  • Ability to perform field assessments including hiking in sandy conditions and full Florida summer sun. Swimming ability for self-rescue since work will occasionally involve boats and proximity to water.

  • Demonstrated interest in conservation and the mission of the National Audubon Society.