Conservation Manager, Michigan

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.

Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Audubon Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are the largest freshwater ecosystem on the planet, providing clean drinking water to 40 million people. They also serve as a global resource to millions of birds, providing critical habitat for breeding, for stopovers during migration across the Americas, and for wintering along the shorelines and on the lakes themselves. Globally significant populations of shorebirds, waterbirds, raptors, and migratory landbirds are all intricately connected to the sustainability of a healthy Great Lakes ecosystem. A regional office of the National Audubon Society, Audubon Great Lakes has developed a comprehensive Great Lakes strategy with strong ties to members and the culture of the Great Lakes region. Audubon Great Lakes, with headquarters in Chicago, serves as an Audubon state office for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Position Summary

The Conservation Manager, Michigan is an integral member of the Audubon Great Lakes team. They are responsible for building partnerships, engaging the network, and implementing conservation projects that realize Audubon’s ambitious goals for the region with an emphasis on program delivery across the state of Michigan. Working closely with Michigan Department of Natural Resources, other public agencies, tribes, NGO partners, Audubon’s network of chapters and volunteers, the Conservation Manager will restore habitat for birds and people, while building a diverse constituency that stewards habitat and builds strong public policy across the five-state Great Lakes region (WI, IL, IN, MI, OH).

The Conservation Manager will manage and further develop ongoing conservation projects in Audubon’s key geographies: Eastern Lake Michigan, Saint Marys River and the Straits of Mackinac, Saginaw Bay, and Detroit – St. Clair Flats. This role will also build new relationships and secure funding to expand Audubon’s on-the-ground conservation work in priority regions of Michigan and beyond as identified in Audubon’s Great Lakes conservation plan. The Conservation Manager will engage existing and new partners to advance national and regional advocacy goals and focus on diversifying Audubon’s network. Working with the Great Lakes engagement and communication staff, they will oversee Audubon’s MI Birds Program, which aims to increase the number of Michiganders engaged in stewardship of public lands that are important for birds and communities. The Conservation Manager will grow and diversify Audubon’s conservation partnerships, community science participation, stewardship engagement and advocacy efforts.

This role will report to the Senior Director of Conservation, Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River.

Essential Functions

• Fundraise, plan, implement, track and report on habitat restoration and enhancement projects.
• Identify opportunities, develop proposals, and secure funding for habitat projects.
• Build large and diverse partnerships to influence habitat management in priority geographies through monitoring, communication, and landscape-planning.
• Oversee contractual and volunteer habitat restoration and enhancement implementation.
• Work with Great Lakes conservation colleagues and national science staff to improve the application of research and monitoring results, as well as continue to refine conservation targets with regional agency and NGO partners.
• Develop and communicate an understanding of local ecosystems and restoration best practices.
• Deeply engage members and partners in priority advocacy action.
• Serve as a public representative of Audubon, which may include presentations, public speaking, meeting participation and other interactions with agencies, NGOs, Chapters and landowners to both gather and disseminate information.

Qualifications And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, natural resource management, public policy or related field.
• 5 + years field experience in conservation planning and/or habitat restoration and enhancement techniques.
• Ability to manage complex projects with a variety of partners and to meet deadlines is essential.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to build consensus among a wide range of individuals.
• Established relationships with the MI conservation space, including Audubon partners, a plus.
• Deep understanding of Audubon’s work in the Great Lakes a plus.
• Demonstrated experience with grant writing, writing scientific reports, and writing for a general, non-science audience.
• Supervisory or leadership experience.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and the ability to engage and motivate diverse audiences.
• Comfort navigating contentious regulatory and political issues to seek common ground with diverse interests.
• Strong facilitation skills and ability to coordinate complex projects.
• Excellent judgement and a strong concern for safety of staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring physical exertion, outdoors, in all weather conditions and on difficult terrain, with or without accommodation, while maintaining a positive attitude and setting an example for intern crews.
• Ability to understand and explain the connection between conservation outcomes and public policy.
• Valid Driver’s License and the ability to travel throughout the Great Lakes’ region. Reliable transportation required.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule including evenings, early mornings, and weekends as the job demands.

EEO Statement

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

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