Conservation Ranching Manager: Field Partnerships

National Audubon Society, Inc.; Oakland, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

National Audubon Society, Inc. seeks a Conservation Ranching Program Manager to coordinate the expansion and implementation of the Conservation Ranching (ACR) program in California.

You will supervise staff, oversee budgets, and build partnerships with NRCS, USFWS, and other agencies to promote bird-friendly ranching practices. Based in hybrid offices across Oakland/Sacramento and surrounding areas, you will establish habitat management plans, provide technical assistance on regenerative

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in range management, ecology, natural resources management, wildlife management, regenerative agriculture or related field.
• At least five years of experience with project development/coordination, conservation planning or similar work.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking, public presentation, and the ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Support the management of the ACR Program in California, helping to implement the vision, strategy, direction and assist in managing the program budget.
• Supervise regular and intern staff through establishment of work objectives and priorities, reviewing and revising these objectives on an ongoing basis to guide and mentor team members in their work progress, oversee the work of independent contractors as needed.
• Build and maintain partnerships with NRCS, USFWS, Resource Conservation Districts, state agencies, conservation professionals, organizations, and land managers to grow awareness and interest in ACR.
• Establish Habitat Management Plans (HMPs) that outline management objectives and planned actions to benefit priority grassland bird species on all enrolled program ranches.
• Work with partners to provide technical assistance workshops and consultation services to ranchers on regenerative grazing, holistic management, and conservation grazing approaches.
• Provide timely access to financial assistance programs for enrolled ranches through Audubon, local, state, and federal financial assistance opportunities to implement habitat enhancement plans and projects on certified ranches.
• Manage project budgets, reporting requirements, and third-party contracts, following Audubon’s internal grant tracking, contracting, and reporting procedures.
• Conduct or coordinate bird monitoring, soil health monitoring, and other ecological monitoring efforts on ACR ranches.
• Work with national ACR communications and marketing staff to convey notable stories on ACR ranches, including management practices, project implementation, bird monitoring results, bird species biology, ecological outcomes, soil health improvements, market connections, and other items of interest for ACR newsletters, reports, and media.
• Seek funding programs and sources to support ACR and assist the preparation of funding proposals. Meet with program donors and supporters as needed.
• Represent Audubon and ACR in online and in-person meetings and conferences with other ACR staff and partners across the program geography to stay apprised of national ACR program developments, provide state updates, and share best practices.
• Work in partnership with ACR California Director to support national ACR staff and other partners to complete strategic planning to build ACR program capacity, funding, participation, partnerships, and ecological outcomes.
• 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 job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Public speaking

Communication

Team collaboration

Grassland conservation

Rangeland management

GIS

Excel

PowerPoint

Autonomy

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree in range management or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

ArcGIS

GPS

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

National Audubon Society, Inc. seeks a Conservation Ranching Program Manager to coordinate the expansion and implementation of the Conservation Ranching (ACR) program in California.

You will supervise staff, oversee budgets, and build partnerships with NRCS, USFWS, and other agencies to promote bird-friendly ranching practices. Based in hybrid offices across Oakland/Sacramento and surrounding areas, you will establish habitat management plans, provide technical assistance on regenerative