Associate Director of Urban Conservation

Bird Alliance of Oregon • Portland, OR

9d • $80,600 - $80,600 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director of Urban Conservation is a mission-driven individual, who will develop and implement strategies that integrate nature into urban landscapes, expanding access to greenspaces that will ultimately improve the quality of habitat for wildlife, as well as the quality of life for human inhabitants that depend on these spaces. In conjunction with the Director of Conservation and Rehabilitation, the Associate Director of Urban Conservation will maintain and strengthen Bird Alliance of Oregon’s existing urban conservation programs and partnerships, and will strive to find new and innovative ways to further expand on these within the Portland Metro community and beyond. This position is required to handle a variety of projects and tasks, manage personnel, support program partnerships, interact with board members and volunteers, collaborate with the Conservation Advisory Committee, and represent Bird Alliance of Oregon’s urban conservation priorities, at large. The role requires a strong commitment to grassroots based advocacy, environmental justice, and volunteer engagement is essential, along with a passion for creating meaningful experiences and opportunities for underserved communities, especially historically marginalized communities of people of color.

Requirements

• Minimum five years combined education and experience working in conservation, in environmental policy/design/science/law, or public administration.
• Strong knowledge of Pacific Northwest Flora and Fauna.
• An experienced multitasker, who can work on various complex projects that, at times, have conflicting priorities and deadlines.
• Supervisory experience, including leading, motivating and inclusively managing a team of diverse individuals, who all perform unique, yet equally important roles in working toward Bird Alliance of Oregon’s mission.
• Experience working with and developing partnerships with community groups, agencies and nonprofit organizations.
• Must be able to travel to and from our Cornell Campus and around the Portland Metro region even when public transit is not an option.
• Must be comfortable with shared office and shared desk space if necessary.
• Primary responsibilities involve working on a computer, typing, looking at screens, meeting virtually and in person, listening, communicating, occasional sight visits, and leading outings.
• Bird Alliance of Oregon is committed to maintaining an anti-racist organizational culture.
• We are committed to training all staff and Board members on cultural competency and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• We seek staff with comfort and curiosity in engaging in conversations around issues of identity, belonging, and systemic oppression.
• Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
• Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.

Nice To Haves

• Some evening and weekend work may be required.
• Occasional work in outdoor environments

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a high level of knowledge and expertise about the birds, wildlife, ecology and natural history of the Pacific Northwest and its diverse habitat types.
• Develop and lead Bird Alliance of Oregon’s urban conservation policy and advocacy agenda which includes; developing policy positions, serving on advisory committees, developing strategic campaigns, leading special projects, building inter/intra departmental coordination, etc.
• Manage and collaborate with BHCP and Advocacy program staff to monitor each program’s progress, support high level planning, and identify and demonstrate the accomplishments and values of the program as it relates to community leadership in urban conservation work.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with local environmental and community organizations, culturally specific groups, and public agencies to find new opportunities to support one another, and strengthen existing partnerships that continue to move the urban conservation agenda forward.
• Adaptively collaborate with the Columbia Land Trust, who jointly manages the BHCP, to strengthen, support, and further evolve the program partnership.
• In conjunction with the Engagement Department, build and foster relationships with key donors, especially those who advocate for community-centered urban conservation in historically underrepresented communities.
• Work with the Director of Conservation and Rehabilitation, the Executive Director, Director of Finance and Director of Engagement to support the department’s annual budgeting process, ensuring adequate funds are raised to meet program needs and that Urban Conservation programmatic expenses are managed accordingly. This includes leadership and collaboration on the preparation and management of grant proposals.
• Engage with elected officials and public agency staff on policies, programs, and legislation relevant to local urban conservation initiatives.
• Interact and build relationships with the media on urban conservation subject matter that arises.
• Manage and assess team’s performance, providing feedback, and opportunities for growth and improvement.
• Develop and advance priority special projects both within the urban conservation department and organization.
• Serve on an expanded leadership team/working group for Conservation and Rehabilitation/the whole org to focus on integrating programs from Engagement Department
• Shares responsibility for informing the work plans for sanctuary management and community science programs, their alignment with urban conservation priorities, and provides high level collaboration and guidance with relevant staff as needed.

Benefits

• Medical insurance: 100% payment of premiums for medical and dental insurance, for employees only
• Competitive leave benefits which include two (2) weeks paid vacation during a staff member’s first year of employment, accrual of eight (8) hours paid sick time per month, eight (8) recognized paid holidays as well as 40 hours of flexible holiday time per year, and family leave.
• 401(k) 3% match
• Ability to attend free or subsidized courses at Bird Alliance of Oregon
• Substantial discount at our Nature Store, including optics

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree