Senior Program Manager, Salton Sea
About The Position
The Senior Salton Sea Program Manager supports the Southern California Program Director in managing and growing Audubon’s Salton Sea program in alignment with the organization’s strategic plan. The role leads science-based inquiry and strategy to engage partners, community members, and other interested parties in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys to advance habitat protection for birds and communities at the Salton Sea. The position leads program operations across advocacy, science, education, community engagement, and volunteer coordination, and supervises staff, fellows, and interns involved in fieldwork, community bird walks and events, and habitat restoration. Working with conservation and policy colleagues, the Senior Program Manager aligns program objectives with Audubon’s conservation and policy priorities, coordinates with Western Water and Saline Lakes teams, and leads science and habitat restoration projects as well as policy, engagement, and advocacy strategies. The role also serves as a spokesperson for the Salton Sea program with the press, stakeholders, and local political representatives. This is a hybrid position. Employees are expected to work in an Audubon office every Monday and Tuesday, plus two additional days each month of their choosing. Candidates should live within commuting distance of Audubon’s Palm Desert, California office.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in ornithology, environmental science, natural resources, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
- Seven or more years of work experience in science, advocacy, and/or natural resources management.
- Experience managing partner relationships and working diplomatically with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Experience leading, mentoring, and managing programs and staff across a complex set of ongoing conservation programs.
- Ability to work across projects to achieve program goals, with attention to detail and reliable follow-through.
- Commitment to Audubon’s values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Flexible scheduling approach, ability to anticipate needs, careful time management, and punctuality.
- Experience managing grants and grant budgets.
- Ability to lift 30 pounds and perform physical tasks, with or without accommodation.
- Willingness to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends.
- Reliable transportation for travel throughout California.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Experience with Microsoft Office, including Excel.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree.
- Knowledge of riparian and wetland habitats, water policy, and related issues, with specific experience in the Salton Sea region and fieldwork preferred.
- Spanish fluency.
- Experience working with stakeholders local to the Coachella and/or Imperial Valleys.
- Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments.
Responsibilities
- Manage and evaluate Salton Sea program goals and objectives, track quarterly goals and metrics, and provide regular updates to the Director on plans and execution.
- Oversee habitat restoration and enhancement implementation to protect bird habitat in Coachella and Imperial Valley communities.
- Coordinate advocacy for wetland habitat protection and implementation of the Salton Sea Management Plan.
- Execute and track short-term operational plans and activities aligned with Salton Sea program goals.
- Supervise completion of the $2.0 million Bombay Beach Community Access project design, intended to protect and enhance more than 800 acres of Salton Sea habitat while providing public access infrastructure.
- Identify and lead new habitat restoration and avian science projects in the Salton Sea region.
- Represent Audubon with stakeholder groups, coalition calls, and 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 Audubon, including teams working on Saline Lakes and Western Water policy, and contribute to joint planning and shared priorities across the Americas.
- Contribute to fundraising by identifying grant opportunities, making donor presentations, administering grants, and writing reports; support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.
- Maintain and foster a culture of safety and perform other assigned duties.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
