Director of Conservation, Audubon Alaska

Now in its second century, Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Audubon’s mission is engaging people in bird conservation on a hemispheric scale through science, policy, education and on-the-ground conservation action.  By mobilizing and aligning its network of Chapters, Centers, State and Important Bird Area programs in the four major migratory flyways in the Americas, the organization will bring the full power of Audubon to bear on protecting common and threatened bird species and the critical habitat they need to survive.  And as part of BirdLife International, Audubon will join people in over 100 in-country organizations all working to protect a network of Important Bird Areas around the world, leveraging the impact of actions they take at a local level.  What defines Audubon’s unique value is a powerful grassroots network of approximately 450 local chapters, 120 campus chapters, 17 state and regional offices, 34 Audubon Centers, Important Bird Area Programs in 50 states, and 700 staff across the country. 

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 identify, 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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Audubon Alaska (AK) is the Alaska program of the National Audubon Society. Our working geography includes 207 Important Bird Areas covering 50% of the total U.S. coastline, 65% of the total U.S. wetlands, the traditional lands of 226 Federally-Recognized Tribes, and the largest federal and state public land base in the country.

The Director of Conservation will lead the development of landscape level conservation objectives for the implementation of Audubon’s priority conservation strategies in Alaska for the benefit of birds and the places they need to thrive. Conservation strategies focus on climate and public lands, coasts and water, and regenerative economies. A successful candidate will work closely with Audubon’s Alaska team and national conservation, policy and science teams.  They will collaborate with natural resource agencies (federal, state, county, and municipal), Tribal governments and organizations, conservation organizations, universities, and Audubon chapters for successful implementation of their work across large landscapes. The Director of Conservation will work closely with national, flyway, and state fundraising, science, engagement, and policy teams to build sustainable income streams, engagement efforts, conservation science strategies, and policy objectives to further Audubon’s conservation objectives in the region.

Reporting to the Executive Director & Vice President of Audubon Alaska, the Director of Conservation will manage the conservation and science staff throughout the state, including tracking conservation activity and defining measures of success. They will develop funding proposals to foundations, corporations, agencies, and individuals. They will also be responsible for identifying funding opportunities and managing the funding relationships with natural resource agencies at multiple levels of governance along with some funder and donor relationships as assigned.

• In collaboration with the Executive Director, develop and implement conservation strategies for the benefit of birds, wildlife habitats, and human communities, across Alaska.
• Design and direct the conservation programs in Alaska to be fully aligned with National Audubon’s strategic plan, maximizing Audubon’s impact by integrating work across the full suite of Audubon’s national and regional science, conservation, network, policy, and development teams.
• Further Audubon’s reputation through building partnerships and coalitions with a network of Tribal organizations, land and wildlife management agencies, universities, NGOs, and community scientists.
• Oversee the incorporation of community science engagement in Audubon’s conservation work and the analysis of these data and those collected by Audubon staff to inform adaptive management strategies and understand outcomes of conservation action.
• Manage staff and engage volunteers, as needed, to implement Audubon’s bird conservation programs.
• Design, implement, and direct measures of success focused on birds and habitat across priority landscapes.
• Provide technical expertise related to birds and habitat in the region to internal and external audiences and partners.
• Research and secure public and private funding opportunities to support conservation programs.
• Support the Vice President with development activities including solicitation of gifts and prospect development. Specific activities may include, but are not limited to, leading bird walks and giving presentations to existing and prospective donors.
• Develop and oversee priority bird conservation projects, in coordination with state and regional science staff and partners, in order to achieve the goals of Audubon’s hemispheric bird conservation programs.
• Coordinate with regional science, policy, education, and communications staff not under direct supervision to guide planning, monitoring, and conservation implementation in the areas overseen by Audubon Minnesota. Integrate these efforts into Mississippi Flyway and Gulf of Mexico conservation plans and goals.

• M.S. in Ornithology, Avian Ecology, Forestry, Natural Resources Management, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in natural resources management, biology, Traditional Indigenous Knowledge, or related environmental or conservation work and at least 4 years of management experience, specifically leading professional teams.
• Must be well‐versed in conservation, biology, and identification of Alaska birds and other wildlife.
• Strong understanding of the value and previous experience supporting community science, with a focus on wetlands or water monitoring a plus.
• A commitment to working inclusively with Tribes, Tribal governments, and/or Native Corporations
• Deep understanding of conservation issues in Alaska.
• Proven record in project management including managing grants (writing proposals, coordinating with relevant funders, completing reports, and administering contracts), writing articles, and stewarding other relevant projects.
• Proven fundraising experience, specifically from public agencies and in conservation preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with public agencies (federal and state).
• Must be self‐motivated and willing to work in a flexible, non‐structured environment.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills and the ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non‐technical audiences.
• Strong leadership and collaborative ethics, as demonstrated in previous work.
• Strong interpersonal and social skills with a positive attitude and good sense of humor.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, working knowledge of GIS technology preferred.
• Candidate must be willing to conduct in‐state travel, occasional out‐of‐state travel and be comfortable with working evenings and weekends as job demands.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Willingness to travel in cars, planes, boats and other vehicles.
• Ability to work outdoors, in all weather conditions and on varying terrain, with or without accommodation.