Director Of Equity In Conservation, Ohio

Ohio, USA

The location of this position is open to anywhere in Ohio. Must be willing to travel throughout the state on a regular basis.

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

The Nature Conservancy is a conservation leader in Ohio, helping to conserve over 65,000 acres of land over our 60+ year history while leading efforts to drive policies and programs. As we continue to grow the impact and influence of our work, we seek to be more inclusive, equitable, and just in the delivery of our mission to solve the biodiversity and climate crises while directly and indirectly benefitting millions of people in Ohio and beyond.

The Director of Equity in Conservation (DEC) is a new position reporting to the State Director and serving on The Nature Conservancy in Ohio’s leadership team. The DEC will prioritize the evaluation, and adjustment, of the way that we work to conserve and restore nature so that we ensure significant and tangible benefits to people. The DEC will work closely with interested parties in the community to understand their dynamic needs and work together to advance overall wellbeing and conservation at many scales. Examples of actions that we anticipate as priorities include community-led conservation, support for access to nature for everyone, and increasing opportunities for youth engagement.

The DEC provides strategy and programmatic support, coordination, leadership, and facilitation of learning and progress within the Ohio Business Unit (BU). They are adept and have a passion for opening doors, initiating conversations, listening, building trust, stewarding relationships, and identifying and moving forward partnerships to drive conservation outcomes that benefit people, including those who have been historically excluded or marginalized. They develop key partnerships with public & private organizations to bring diverse perspective and learning to TNC and to identify and help to resolve technical or other issues.

As the overall lead on equity in TNC Ohio’s conservation approach, the DEC will collaborate closely with our conservation and policy teams working across the state, and potentially the larger Midwest Division. They provide strategic leadership and support for conservation planning work and help to integrate equity into conservation strategies and projects, disseminating best practices and providing access to training and analyses so that our conservation team is more effective.

Given their expertise, in addition to this primary focus on equity in conservation approach and externally focused action, an effective DEC will play a key role in the Ohio BU’s larger 4-part diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) plan. This includes supporting and driving accountability of efforts led by other Ohio BU leaders to ensure DEIJ in people, voice, and the identification and use of resources.

The DEC will supervise 1-2- team members. As is the case for all BU leaders, the DEC will be expected to play a fundraising role in donor cultivation and stewardship.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build from TNC’s experience in community-led conservation to identify opportunities and needs to improve equity in conservation design, practice, and outcomes. Lead BU, systems, and cultural change to build understanding, support and implementation of equity in TNC’s conservation efforts.
• Work across teams in a matrixed organization to support and encourage mutual learning and network building among conservation practitioners.
• Establish and lead a program for community and equitable conservation that aligns with organizational vision and goals and meets the unique history and social context of TNC’s conservation work.
• Directly support conservation practitioners working towards TNC’s 2030 Goals through a variety of conservation strategies and in a variety of historical and social contexts across Ohio. Directly support conservation teams where TNC has a conservation legacy and history as a land trust.
• Travel frequently, domestically and/or internationally, occasionally work evening and weekend hours.
• Provide conservation practitioners with training and references (e.g., innovative frameworks, methods, tools assessments) and thought partnership as they integrate equity in how, with whom and where we practice conservation and hold relationships with external partners.
• Collaborate with philanthropy staff on donor strategies, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of principal and major gift donors.
• Provide direction on a well-established community engagement program that includes volunteerism and youth engagement.
• Oversee a budget and make independent strategic decisions; manage organizational risk, frequently based on analysis, ambiguous information, experience, and context.

Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Are you passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together.

Read TNC’s 2023 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Annual Report. This report features examples of the kind of authentic, intentional, and equitable partnerships we must build with diverse communities to advance our mission.

Why Now?

• TNC is deeply committed to its values, two of which are a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures.
• TNC is deeply committed to how it achieves its conservation outcomes with respect for human rights and acknowledging its mistakes to restore relationships with people and place.
• TNC is investing in its leadership capacity and conservation planning resources to center equity in conservation.

• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation
• BA/BS degree and 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience negotiating.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions.
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives or related field.
• Politically savvy.
• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
• 7-10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.

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!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including 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. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

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 https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

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.

The estimated starting salary range for this position is $79,500 - $93,850 and will vary based on the location of the selected candidate.

To apply for job ID 53823, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on August 31, 2023. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact [email protected].

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character 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!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.