Southern Ohio Program Manager

USA The Nature Conservancy; United States; On-site; USD 74,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care benefits

401(k) plan with 8% employer match

Parental leave

Paid time off

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Employee assistance program

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy seeks a Southern Ohio Program Manager to lead conservation projects, manage a multidisciplinary team, and ensure high-quality visitor experiences at Edge of Appalachia Preserve. The role emphasizes collaboration with government officials, local communities, and tribal partners to achieve measurable conservation outcomes.

Applicants should have a BA/BS and at least five years in conservation, with strong project management, supervisory experience, and proficiency in ArcGIS

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in conservation practice.
• Experience managing complex 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.

Responsibilities

• Direct stewardship activities at Edge of Appalachia Preserve and other southern Ohio preserves.
• Direct spatial data management to ensure high-quality visitor experiences.
• Ensure compliance with Forest Stewardship Council certification standards.
• Manage a cohesive team including performance management and career development.
• Communicate conservation mission to government officials, local citizens and regional partners.
• Develop and manage budgets, negotiate contracts with vendors, and support fundraising and donor stewardship efforts.

Skills

BA/BS degree

5 years conservation experience

Project management

Supervisory experience

Partnership development

Excellent communication

ArcGIS and ArcGIS Field Maps

Education

BA/BS degree

Tools

ArcGIS

ArcGIS Field Maps

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together

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.

We're Looking for You

Want to help save the planet? Through the efforts of The Nature Conservancy, 65,000 acres in Ohio have been conserved for people and nature. We're looking for a collaborative partner who thrives in an environment based on fostering and building relationships within TNC, across the state chapter, and with external partners. That includes being comfortable networking with varied groups, such as private landowners, conservation partners, local officials, donors, board members and the public to inspire support for the Conservancy’s priorities. If this sounds like you, this is an exceptional career opportunity for a highly motivated, capable individual interested in joining the world’s leading conservation organization!

What You’ll Bring

• 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.

Desired Qualifications

• 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 obtain required licenses or certifications, such as first aid, CPR, herbicide application, and driver’s license.


• Ability to creatively leverage resources.

Vehicle Use Agreement

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered \"high risk drivers.\" To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Salary Information

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $74,000 - $78,000. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

Who We Are

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience.

Want a better insight to TNC?

Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

What We Bring

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

Benefits Package

• health care benefits


• flexible spending accounts


• a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match


• parental leave


• accrued paid time off


• life insurance


• disability coverage


• employee assistance program


• other life and work well-being benefits

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Founded in the U.S. through grassroots action in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than a million members and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and over 400 scientists, we impact conservation in 79 countries and territories: 37 by direct conservation impact and 42 through partners. To conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Our vision is a world where the diversity of life thrives, and people act to conserve nature for its own sake and its ability to fulfill our needs and enrich our lives.