Loess Hills Project Director

Iowa, USA

The location for this role is flexible within western Iowa. The candidate will need to be located in western Iowa.

#PDN

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.”

As a Loess Hills Project Director, you will establish the Conservancy as a major conservation partner within the Loess Hills project area and define conservation priorities and long-term conservation strategies. You will build strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field and develop innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address natural system needs.

In this role, you will negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners. As the Loess Hills Project Director, you will engage community support for local conservation efforts and be responsible for establishing and managing key partnerships with local groups, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, private landowners, academia, and for completing real estate transactions to protect priority lands.

May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances. Travel across Iowa will be required, sometimes on short notice, and sometimes outside of Iowa. Ability to work an irregular schedule, including occasional weekends and evenings.

The hiring range for this position is $62,000 - $67,000 annually, based on a full time, 35-hour work week, and will be based on location and align with qualifications and experience.

The Iowa Chapter of The Nature Conservancy is looking for a self-motivated, passionate, solution minded director to join our Team! In this role you will use your passion to create tangible lasting changes in the Loess Hills project area in western Iowa. As the Loess Hills Project Director, you will work with staff and partners to direct protection, science, stewardship, and community relations, to address natural system needs.

The Iowa Chapter of The Nature Conservancy is looking for someone who can serve as the principle contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations, and the academic communities, to restore and protect the grasslands and oak woodland habitats in the Loess Hills landform, allowing biodiversity to thrive. Systems Leadership, creativity, and the ability to influence without authority are key in this role.

• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.
• 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.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, landowners, community groups, scientific community, and/or government agencies.
• Experience negotiating.
• Experience or training regarding current trends in conservation science and practice; experience in applying this knowledge to define and achieve conservation priorities.
• Experience communicating with the public and with diverse groups, giving presentations, and delivering clear and compelling messages.

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.

To apply for job ID 53812, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. 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.

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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.