Conservation Ranching Program Manager

About Audubon

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, nonpartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With over 1,000 staff and more than 2.6 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook and Instagram@audubonsociety.

Position Summary: 

The Conservation Ranching Manager works with ranchers, agencies, and conservation partners to coordinate the expansion and implementation of Audubon’s Conservation Ranching (ACR) program. Reporting to the California Conservation Ranching Program Director, the Manager will assist the Director in oversight and coordination of the ACR Program in California, including strategic planning, fundraising, partnership building and staff supervision. 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 and restoration practices. The Manager, Conservation Ranching will coordinate ecological monitoring on ranches and connect participating ranchers to technical and financial assistance 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. This position will partner with a conservation community, including sustainable agriculture organizations and agencies, to deliver robust private landowner programming.

This position is classified as hybrid preferred. Hybrid employees are expected to work in an Audubon office every Monday and Tuesday and an additional two days each month of the employee’s choosing. Remote work within the United States may be considered only for candidates not within commuting distance of an Audubon office, in accordance with Audubon’s “Where We Work” Policy. Audubon offices include locations in: Oakland, CA; Palm Desert, CA; Sacramento, CA.

Compensation:

Salary range based on geo-differentials:

• $70,350 - $76,500 / year = CA

• $75,550 - $85,000 / year = Oakland/SF

Essential Functions

• Support the management of the ACR Program in California, helping to implement the vision, strategy, direction and assist in managing the program budget.

• Supervise regular and intern staff through establishment of work objectives and priorities, reviewing and revising these objectives on an ongoing basis to guide and mentor team members in their work progress, oversee the work of independent contractors as needed.

• Build and maintain partnerships with NRCS, USFWS, Resource Conservation Districts, state agencies, conservation professionals, organizations, and land managers to grow awareness and interest in ACR.

• 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 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.

• Conduct or coordinate bird monitoring, soil health monitoring, and other ecological monitoring efforts on ACR ranches.

• Work with national 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.

• Seek funding programs and sources to support ACR and assist the preparation of funding proposals. Meet with program donors and supporters as needed.

• Represent Audubon and ACR in online and in-person meetings and conferences with other ACR staff and partners across the program geography to stay apprised of national ACR program developments, provide state updates, and share best practices.

• Work in partnership with ACR California Director to support national ACR staff and other partners to complete strategic planning to build ACR program capacity, funding, participation, partnerships, and ecological outcomes.

• Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.

• Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.

• Maintains and fosters culture of safety.

• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in range management, ecology, natural resources management, wildlife management, regenerative agriculture or related field. Master’s degree is preferred. 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.

• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to collaborate with partners, and manage teams and projects effectively.

• 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.

• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

• Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.

• Strong project management skills, including but not limited to setting and implementing effective goals and objectives, problem-solving, contracts and grant management, creating and maintaining collaborations with other organizations, developing public awareness activities, preparing reports, etc.

• 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 and familiarity with agricultural cost-share and incentive programs.

• Experience with California plant and bird identification and management 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 a 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.

• Access to reliable transportation throughout California.

National Audubon Society Competencies: This role will also be accountable to apply and develop the following competencies.

Fostering Relationships: Build trust, mutual respect, and understanding through regular and genuine interactions while promoting a positive and inclusive environment. 

Analytical Thinking: Recognize and value diverse perspectives and experiences in data analysis to foster a more comprehensive and equitable approach to problem-solving. 

Creativity and Innovation: Leverage creativity and imagination to generate new insights and solutions while embracing diverse ideas and approaches that foster innovation. 

Facilitating Change: Work with others to explore innovative approaches to problem-solving while promoting inclusivity, equity, accessibility, and belonging in the change process. 

Team Leadership: Communicate vision and engage others or the team to solve problems while valuing diverse perspectives and fostering inclusivity.