Program Manager, Mississippi River

National Audubon Society•New Orleans, LA

6d•$62,026 - $82,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The National Audubon Society’s Mississippi River Water Program is a watershed-wide effort that aligns regional offices, centers, sanctuaries, and national strategy teams to improve and preserve habitat and strengthen community resilience in the Mississippi River Basin. The Program Manager will develop and advance nature-based solutions along the Mississippi River mainstem, particularly in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley and Quad Cities region. The role works with partners, landowners, government agencies, and funders to identify project opportunities and use innovative funding mechanisms to support implementation. The position is hybrid preferred, with remote work in the United States potentially considered for candidates outside commuting distance of an Audubon office. Preference is given to candidates based in the New Orleans office or remotely within the Mississippi Watershed. The position is represented by the Communication Workers of America.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, hydrology, ecology, natural resources management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Five years of experience, preferably in project management, with demonstrated success developing collaborative conservation strategies and working with diverse stakeholders.
Experience with field research or monitoring projects.
Strong project management skills, including goal-setting and implementation, problem-solving, time management, contract and grant management, collaboration, public awareness activities, and report preparation.
Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues at all levels of the organization.
Ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to technical and non-technical audiences.
Experience working with multigenerational audiences and diverse cultural communities, and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Ability to work independently and manage a complex workflow.
Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and a can-do attitude.
Demonstrated interest in and commitment to conservation.
Willingness to conduct some in-state and occasional out-of-state travel, and to work evenings and weekends as responsibilities demand, roughly 15–20% of the time.
Flexible approach to work and willingness to take on new job-related projects or tasks.
Ability to participate in outdoor activities and endure field conditions, including cold and wet winter weather and extreme heat, with or without accommodation.
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel by personal vehicle to meetings and events.
Commitment to Audubon’s values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree.
Experience in an agricultural setting.
Experience with science-based conservation initiatives or on-the-ground restoration efforts.
Knowledge of water distribution and management practices.
Working knowledge of the latest ArcGIS/ArcGIS Pro technology.
Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments.
Experience with conservation and resilience funding programs, such as USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, EPA Section 319, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and state or regional programs.
Experience with grant management and cooperative project development.
Project design, wetlands delineation, or construction experience in nature-based solutions.

Responsibilities

Identify and develop, in consultation with the Program Director, implementation of nature-based solutions in the Mississippi River Basin.
Work with regional and local coalitions of partners to implement projects.
Build on existing partnerships and identify opportunities to engage new partners in support of program goals.
Conduct site selection and project development aligned with Audubon Flight Plan goals for habitat connectivity and community resilience.
Host meetings with landowners, agencies, and other organizations to gather and incorporate stakeholder input.
Assist with planning and leading high-value site visits in key regions.
Manage or co-manage projects that advance the Mississippi River Water Program’s objectives.
Assist in developing grant applications and managing grant-funded projects.
Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.
Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas on shared planning and priorities.
Maintain and foster a culture of safety.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.