Job Opening for Conservation Director

The JV8 Central Grasslands Conservation Initiative (JV8) seeks a leader with demonstrated abilities to grow and manage a large innovative partnership by serving as the Conservation Director for the initiative. We are looking for an experienced, highly-motivated, self-starting, partnership-oriented individual. The JV8 Initiative, a partnership among eight Migratory Bird Joint Ventures, will implement grassland conservation programs at a landscape of 500 million acres with the goal of reversing or stabilizing declining bird populations in the Central Grasslands of North America, and will include conservation partners from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

The Conservation Director provides critical direction and implementation of strategic planning and communications to advance JV8 efforts. This position oversees all aspects of the JV8 Central Grasslands Initiative, including program development and exploration of funding opportunities. The Conservation Director works hand-in-hand with Joint Venture Coordinators and other key partners to build and strengthen investments in grassland conservation with the belief that we accomplish more together than we do alone. 

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, conservation planning, or related field; advanced degree is preferred
  • Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in natural resource management or conservation planning, preferably at a leadership level.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Experience writing and editing natural resources and conservation content
  • Demonstrated ability to coordinate well with staff and partners
  • Experience working with state and/or federal wildlife or natural resources agencies and non-governmental organizations
  • Expertise in strategic planning, strategic communications, and facilitation
  • Track record of obtaining funding
  • Ability and willingness to travel as needed to support the JV8 partnership 

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Facilitate the development of the JV8 Initiative, a high-level, overarching, trinational effort for Central Grassland conservation
  • Drive the creation and implementation of the JV8 Strategy and coordinate across Joint Venture conservation efforts to scale-up actions that address causes of declining grassland bird populations, with an emphasis on design and implementation of conservation actions
  • Develop funding partnerships
  • Lead strategic communications to diverse audiences about the JV8 Initiative and the importance of grassland conservation for migratory birds, other wildlife, and people
  • Evaluate and report on progress and promote JV8 Initiative accomplishments
  • Work with Joint Venture Coordinators to integrate grassland habitat conservation objectives from existing plans into a flexible and cohesive JV8 Strategy
  • Work with JV8 Coordinators to develop funding strategies and communicate about the JV8 Initiative to funders and other key partners
  • Coordinate and lead regular JV8 Initiative calls, communications, and committees; plan and facilitate in-person meetings as needed
  • Administer the annual budget for the JV8 Initiative in a manner that ensures effective and efficient fund disbursement, tracking, and reporting
  • Develop project tracking systems, monitoring strategies, and reporting tactics
  • Organize and participate in relevant meetings and other activities, including giving presentations about the JV8 Initiative to diverse audiences
  • Analyze, evaluate, and recommend solutions to overcome obstacles to successful JV8 Strategy implementation
  • Foster sharing of information and lessons learned among Joint Ventures to elevate innovative projects and creative solutions
  • Provide regular updates and briefings on progress to the JV8 Coordinator team and funders

This is a full time position (40 hours/week) hosted by the Playa Lakes Joint Venture. Location is TBD, with strong preference for co-location with PLJV in Lafayette, Colorado; other locations within the JV8 geography may be considered as long as they are close to a major airport. The job involves travel to attend partner meetings, visit project sites, and represent the JV8 Initiative at meetings and conferences. Salary is commensurate with experience but is anticipated to be in the range of a GS 12/13 federal government position. Includes health insurance, 403(b) retirement contributions, cost of living adjustment, and mileage reimbursement for travel via personal vehicle.

To Apply:

Send an email to Conservation_Director@pljv.org with a single attachment that contains the following: a one-page cover letter, resume, and three professional references (who will be called only after an in-person interview) by June 12, 2020. Your attached one-page cover letter should answer why you are suited and have the experience to do this job and not be a repeat of your resume. Please provide links in your letter to any relevant conservation planning documents in which you were substantially involved. Your application will be acknowledged with an automated reply. For more information, contact a member of the Hiring Committee or contact any Joint Venture Coordinators associated with the JV8.

Hiring Committee:

The PLAYA LAKES JOINT VENTURE IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of the PLJV to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military and veteran status, immigration status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.