The Conservation Ranching Program Manager works with ranchers, agencies, and conservation partners to coordinate the expansion and implementation of Audubon’s Conservation Ranching (ACR) program. They will be responsible for engaging, cultivating, and enrolling ranchers into the ACR program, developing Habitat Management Plans (HMPs), and assisting them with implementing bird-friendly land management practices. The Program Manager will coordinate ecological monitoring on ranches, connect participating ranchers to technical assistance workshops and programs, facilitate ranch certification, and assist in connecting certified ranches to consumer markets that use the Audubon Certified Bird Friendly seal or seek to source from producers that meet the attributes represented in the ACR certification.
The ACR program is a market-oriented approach to grassland bird conservation that works with ranchers in 15 states to incentive bird-friendly management through a certification program aimed at consumer markets. Bird-friendly management on millions of acres of grassland and rangeland is expected to mitigate precipitous declines in grassland bird populations, with significant co-benefits related to carbon sequestration and climate resilience.
This position will report to the Senior Manager, Audubon Conservation Ranching Partnerships.
Build partnerships with NRCS, USFWS, state agencies, conservation professionals, organizations, and land managers to grow awareness and interest in ACR.
Recruit ranches into ACR by identifying potential participants, building relationships, and assisting interested ranchers with program entry.
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 participating 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.
Work with the ACR Partnerships Senior Manager to maintain accurate and updated program protocols.
Conduct or coordinate bird monitoring, soil health monitoring, and other ecological monitoring efforts on ACR ranches.
Work with 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/social media.
Build and strengthen relationships with market partners and certified ranchers, including coordination of the onboarding & certification of source ranch networks for new brand partnerships or carbon market partnerships.
Maintain excellent communication with supervisor, supporting partner organization, and administrative staff.
Participate in regular online and in-person meetings with other ACR staff across the program geography to stay apprised of national ACR program developments, provide state updates, and share best practices.
Attend regional and national meetings, workshops, and conferences held by producer groups and local/regional partners, such as NRCS, USFWS, state agencies, Migratory Bird Joint Ventures, Conservation NGOs, and others.
Serve as a public representative of Audubon and ACR which may include presentations, meeting participation and/or other interactions with agencies, NGOs, Audubon chapters, and land managers to both gather and disseminate information on ACR and grassland bird conservation.
Work with national ACR staff and other partners to complete strategic planning to build ACR program capacity, funding, participation, partnerships, and ecological outcomes.
Seek funding programs and sources to support ACR, and assist the preparation of funding proposals. Meet with program donors and supporters as needed.
Identify and participate in opportunities that allow for continued professional growth aimed at improving skills related to grassland management and avian conservation.
Partner with Audubon staff to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.
Other job-related duties as assigned.
Bachelor’s degree in range management, ecology, natural resources management, wildlife management, regenerative agriculture or related field required. Master’s degree is preferred but not required. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
At least five years of experience with project development/coordination, conservation planning or similar work.
Experience working with local agencies and familiarity with agricultural cost-share and incentive programs.
Exceptional 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.
Strong project management skills, including but not limited to setting and implementing effective goals and objectives, problem-solving, time management, contract and grant management, creating and maintaining collaborations with other organizations, developing public awareness activities, preparing reports, etc.
Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals (e.g. conservation partners, private landowners and ranchers, volunteers, and local community members).
Experience with grassland conservation or rangeland management. Knowledge and appreciation of ranching/grazing culture, grassland/range management issues, and sustainable, holistic, and/or regenerative ranching practices.
Experience with avian identification and understanding of life histories and ranges, habitat associations, and management implications is preferred.
Experience with sampling methods, wildlife surveys, and wildlife habitat management.
Working knowledge of ArcGIS, GPS and other GIS technologies.
Proficiency with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and other key Microsoft Office and web-based products.
Must be able to work autonomously and within a team.
Possess valid driver’s license and able to safely operate 4-wheel drive vehicles.
Comfort driving on unpaved surfaces in rural areas.
Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. and move tools and equipment with or without accommodation
Must be comfortable with extensive day travel and occasional overnight travel, as necessary. Willingness to work occasional weekends and evenings as the job demands.
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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