Senior Program Manager, Salton Sea

National Audubon Society•Salton Sea Beach, CA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Salton Sea Program Manager will support the Southern California Program Director in managing and growing the Salton Sea program in alignment with Audubon's strategic plan. The Senior Program Manager is responsible for leading science-based inquiry and strategy to engage multiple partners, community members, and other interested parties in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys on advancing habitat protection for birds and communities at the Salton Sea. The Senior Program Manager will lead the programs' operations, including but not limited to advocacy, science, education, community engagement, and volunteer coordination support. This position will supervise staff, fellows, and interns on fieldwork, community bird walks and events, and habitat restoration efforts. The Senior Program Manager will work closely with the Southern California Program Director, the Senior Conservation Director, and other conservation and policy staff to align the Salton Sea program objectives with Audubon’s conservation and policy priorities and participate in the overall California Desert program as time allows. Additionally, the Senior Program Manager will coordinate as needed with Audubon’s Western Water and Saline Lakes teams. The Senior Program Manager will lead science and habitat restoration projects, and guide policy, engagement, and advocacy strategies within the program. They will serve as a spokesperson for the Salton Sea program with members of the press, stakeholders, and local political representatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in ornithology, environmental science, natural resources, or a related field.
Seven plus years’ working experience in science, advocacy and/or natural resources management.
An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
Experience in and knowledge of riparian and wetland habitats, water policy, and related issues, with specific experience to the Salton Sea region and fieldwork preferred.
Experience managing partner relationships and a demonstrated ability to work diplomatically with a wide range of stakeholders.
Experience leading, mentoring, and managing programs and staff in a complex suite of ongoing conservation programs.
Ability to work across projects to achieve programmatic goals and be attentive to detail with solid follow-through.
Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.
Capacity to work both as part of a team and independently.
Flexible approach to scheduling, ability to anticipate upcoming needs, careful time management, and punctuality.
Experience managing grants and grant budgets.
Must be able to lift 30 lbs. and perform physical tasks with or with accommodation.
Willingness to travel and work occasional evenings/weekends.
Access to reliable transportation to travel throughout California.
Valid driver’s license required.
Experience with Microsoft Office suite, including Excel.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.
Spanish language fluency highly preferred.
Experience working with stakeholders local to the Coachella and/or Imperial valleys preferred.

Responsibilities

Managing and evaluating program goals and objectives related to the Salton Sea program and incorporating quarterly goals and metrics into Audubon’s tracking systems.
In collaboration with the Director, provide regular updates towards plans and execution of programmatic goals.
Oversee implementation and protection of habitat restoration and enhancement for birds in Coachella and Imperial Valley communities.
Coordinate advocacy for the protection of wetland habitats and the implementation of the Salton Sea Management Plan (SSP)
Execute and track short-term operational plans and activities that align with the Salton Sea program goals.
Supervise the completion of the $2.0M Bombay Beach Community Access project design that aims to protect and enhance over 800 acres of habitat at the Salton Sea while providing public access infrastructure.
Identify and lead new habitat restoration and avian science projects around the Salton Sea region.
Represent Audubon with stakeholder groups, coalition calls, and to local and state officials.
Supervise the Education Coordinator, interns, and volunteer collaborators.
Manage quarterly bird surveys and communicate results to funders and partners.
Collaborate with colleagues across the organization, including those working on issues pertaining to Saline Lakes and Western Water policy.
Contribute to program fundraising through identifying grant funding opportunities and making donor presentations, as well as grant administration and report writing.
Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.
Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.
Maintains and fosters culture of safety.
Other duties assigned.