Director of Conservation Programs

Ducks Unlimited • Salt Lake City, UT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU), a wetland and waterfowl conservation organization, seeks a Director of Conservation Programs (DCP) to lead its Idaho and Utah conservation programs, including the Great Salt Lake Initiative. The DCP provides programmatic leadership, develops partnerships, supports conservation project delivery, directly supervises biological staff, coordinates project management, and oversees the area’s fiscal management. The role is part of the Western Region team of biologists, engineers, fundraisers, and other professionals and helps lead, grow, and implement conservation efforts in this priority landscape.

The position reports directly to the Director of Conservation Programs for the North Pacific Flyway and is office-based in the Salt Lake City area (Centerville, Utah). DU’s North Pacific Flyway program restores, enhances, and protects critical wetland and working-land habitats in Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. The Great Salt Lake Initiative aims to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands and waterfowl-beneficial habitats throughout the Great Salt Lake ecosystem, with a goal of 50,000 acres by 2035. The role also oversees program delivery and partnership development in Idaho as part of DU’s Wings and Wetlands Initiative.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of related experience in wetland restoration, working-landscape conservation, and wildlife habitat management.
• Agency, NGO, or corporate management or directorate-level experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of state and federal land conservation programs, grant opportunities, and relevant policies and regulations.
• Program and staff supervisory experience.
• Proven grant writing, editing, and administration skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel, including overnight travel.

Nice To Haves

• An advanced degree in ecology, biology, or environmental sciences.
• A background in waterfowl biology and wetland ecology.
• A track record of successful partnership building.
• Direct experience planning and implementing conservation projects in Great Basin landscapes.
• Experience coordinating large-scale, multidisciplinary environmental restoration projects.
• Familiarity with current science, issues, and conservation efforts within the Great Salt Lake ecosystem.
• Experience working with volunteers, board members, and donors.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise multiple biologists in the area of responsibility.
• Provide program leadership and strategic direction to a Conservation Area Team comprising biologists, professional engineers, environmental compliance staff, and accounting staff.
• Identify and secure funding for on-the-ground conservation projects, including wetland restoration and enhancement and land protection.
• Cultivate partnerships with agencies, NGOs, corporations, and individuals to support waterfowl and wetland conservation.
• Guide and support staff in implementing effective, sustainable, mission-centric, and fiscally responsible conservation actions.
• Monitor program expenditures and revenues and coordinate with the Conservation Area Team to maintain reliable, updated financial projections.
• Inform the supervising DCP and other DU senior leaders about program activities, challenges, opportunities, and successes.
• Assist team staff with project scoping, budget development, and timelines for proposals and funding solicitations.
• Provide quality assurance and control for proposal submissions and grant administration.
• Assist team staff with agreement and contract development and execution.
• Serve on DU’s Western Region Conservation Leadership Team and contribute to strategic planning, budgeting, and staffing matters as requested by the Director of Operations.
• Work with DU’s communications team to produce content and marketing materials for the area of responsibility.
• Support DU National Leadership staff with program and policy tasks as assigned.
• Attend professional meetings in the region and elsewhere in the United States to represent DU and promote waterfowl and wetland conservation partnerships and programs.
• Support DU private fundraising, policy, and donor engagement activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned to fulfill DU’s wetland conservation mission.
• Travel, including overnight travel.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed