Shiawassee River Program Manager

JOB TITLE: Program Manager
JOB FAMILY: Conservation - Field
JOB NUMBER: 8023
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
RELATED POSITION TITLES: Field Representative, Project Manager

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Responsible for implementation of a comprehensive program to protect 
aquatic communities and species and address critical threats to aquatic 
systems in the Shiawassee River watershed in Michigan.  Responsibilities 
will include contacting and negotiating with property owners to apply a 
full range of conservation tools, developing community partnerships, 
raising funds, supervising monitoring activities, and various types of 
conservation planning.  The Program Manager will work collaboratively with 
other conservation staff, chapter leadership, landowners, corporations, 
donors and government agencies and coordinate implementation of 
conservation practices.  Will supervise administrative and project staff, 
interns, or volunteers.  The Program Manager is supervised by the East 
Michigan Conservation Director and supervises a Field Representative and 
Project Coordinator.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
1. Bachelor’s degree in aquatic/stream ecology, agriculture, hydrology, 
land use planning, natural resources management or related field and three 
years related work experience.  
2. Negotiation skills and the ability to simultaneously manage multiple 
priorities and work under pressure with flexibility.
3. Ability to develop timeframes and then complete tasks within 
timeframes.  Proven organizational skills.
4. Experience supervising others in the completion of tasks, setting 
objectives and managing performance.
5. Demonstrated experience in MS Office, Word, and Excel.  May require 
database management skills with ability to produce reports.  Ability to use 
advanced computer functions including navigating the Internet and 
geographic information systems (ArcView).  Ability to manipulate, analyze 
and interpret data.
6. Knowledge of current trends in conservation practices, aquatic 
monitoring, and an understanding of the interactions between land use, 
local hydrology, and the health of aquatic systems is particularly 
desirable.
7. Familiarity with production agriculture would be an asset. 

COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:
1. Resolve problems independently as delegated, consulting with supervisor 
to resolve unusual or complex problems.
2. Act as a resource to others to solve problems.
3. Interpret guidelines and analyze factual information to adapt or modify 
processes in response to changing circumstances.
4. Ability to prioritize tasks and develop timelines for project 
completion.  Strong organizational skills.

DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:
1. Duties are performed under minimal supervision.  Consults with manager 
in event of any unusual circumstance, problem or question that falls 
outside of project parameters.
2. Exercise independent judgement.  Work affords opportunities to act 
independently and make decisions within tight timeframes and under pressure.
3. Work independently in an entrepreneurial environment; comfortable with 
ambiguity.
4. Make sound decisions based on analysis, experience and judgement.

RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT –FINANCIAL & SUPERVISORY:
1. Will supervise administrative and conservation staff, interns, and 
volunteers, with responsibility for setting performance objectives, 
training and managing performance.
2. Financial responsibility will include working within a budget to 
complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with 
budget development, and meeting fundraising targets.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:
1. Communication and presentation skills; ability to persuasively convey 
the mission of TNC to diverse groups including landowners, donors, board 
members, the public and others.  
2. Work and communicate with a wide range of people from various 
backgrounds, including landowners with perspectives that may vary widely.  
3. Ability to function productively as a member or leader of a team.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
1. Ability to work in variable weather conditions, remote locations and 
often in physically demanding circumstances.  
2. Valid driver’s license, safe driving record, current insurance and 
reliable personal vehicle available for work use.
3. Ability to work an irregular schedule including weekends and unpredicted 
schedule changes.
4. Work requires occasional physical exertion and/or muscular strain.  Work 
involves several disagreeable elements and/or exposure to job hazard’s 
where there is some possibility of injury.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer

TO APPLY:
Mail or email a letter of interest and resume to:

Stacey Molenda
The Nature Conservancy in Michigan
101 E. Grand River Avenue
Lansing, MI  48906
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

Application Deadline
05/15/06

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