Southern Ohio Program Manager

The Nature Conservancy•West Union, OH

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Southern Ohio Program Manager is part of TNC’s Conservation Team and implements projects and programs that lead to measurable conservation outcomes on-the-ground while supporting visitor experience. They will become part of a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, celebrates innovation, values collaborative approaches, and seeks lasting conservation results. The Program Manager is responsible for directing stewardship activities at The Edge of Appalachia Preserve and other southern Ohio preserves, and managing associated spatial data, ensuring high-quality visitor experiences, complying with Forest Stewardship Council certification standards, and managing a cohesive team to meet shared objectives. A key responsibility also involves effectively communicating our conservation mission to government officials and local citizens, while fostering engagement with regional partners and tribal communities connected to southern Ohio. Additional duties include, but may not be limited to: Programmatic scope requires cross-boundary work and relationship management. Manages multi-disciplinary staff, with responsibility for performance management, training and career development. Establishes clear directions and set stretch objectives for direct reports. Builds cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals. Frequently makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context. Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements. Negotiates and writes agreements and leases. Develops and manages budgets, negotiates and contracts with vendors, and supports fundraising and donor stewardship efforts. Performs and directs ecological management tasks such as biological monitoring, invasive species control, and fire management. Responds to public inquiries, attends public meetings and addresses complaints. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and uneven terrain and under physically demanding circumstances. To effectively conduct the essential functions of the position, the Program Manager is expected to live within a 30 minutes of the Edge of Appalachia, near West Union, Ohio, so they can respond to urgent and routine issues and events on the preserve, including but not limited to security, equipment failures, and other issues that arise. On-site housing is available, and we prefer the successful candidate will take advantage of this option.

Requirements

BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads and finances under deadlines.
Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
Excellence in communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
Experience with ArcGIS and ArcGIS Field Maps for data management.
Valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.
Ability to obtain required licenses or certifications, such as first aid, CPR, herbicide application, and driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Cross cultural experience is appreciated.
Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
Familiarity with principles of land acquisition or similar asset acquisition.
Knowledge of ecological land management principles/restoration principles, including invasive species ecology, silviculture, and fire management.
Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.
Experience negotiating agreements.
Knowledge of fire as a prescribed management tool, and able to support implementation fire strategies as developed.
Knowledge of flora and fauna of Appalachian Ohio.
Ability to creatively leverage resources.

Responsibilities

Directing stewardship activities at The Edge of Appalachia Preserve and other southern Ohio preserves.
Managing associated spatial data.
Ensuring high-quality visitor experiences.
Complying with Forest Stewardship Council certification standards.
Managing a cohesive team to meet shared objectives.
Effectively communicating our conservation mission to government officials and local citizens.
Fostering engagement with regional partners and tribal communities connected to southern Ohio.
Programmatic scope requires cross-boundary work and relationship management.
Manages multi-disciplinary staff, with responsibility for performance management, training and career development.
Establishes clear directions and set stretch objectives for direct reports.
Builds cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals.
Frequently makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
Negotiates and writes agreements and leases.
Develops and manages budgets, negotiates and contracts with vendors, and supports fundraising and donor stewardship efforts.
Performs and directs ecological management tasks such as biological monitoring, invasive species control, and fire management.
Responds to public inquiries, attends public meetings and addresses complaints.
May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and uneven terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.