[ECOLOG-L] Job: Director ­ Wildlife & Habitat Conservation, NFWF

[David Inouye]

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Director ­ Wildlife & Habitat Conservation
DEPARTMENT:     Program Department
FLSA:                   Exempt
STATUS:         Full Time
REPORTS TO:     Chief Science Officer, Science and Evaluation
POSITIONS REPORTING TO THIS POSITION: Currently None
LOCATION:       Washington, D.C.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Keystone Initiatives are a centerpiece of the 
Foundation’s strategic plan and drive our work on 
some of the most important conservation issues in 
North America.  The goal of the Keystone 
Initiatives is to create and implement a core 
portfolio of select, issue-specific programs that 
will achieve long-term impact with measurable 
outcomes.  Keystone Directors work with program 
staff and evaluation scientists to create and 
implement programs that have the potential to 
influence conservation well beyond the 
Foundation’s own resources. The Keystone Director 
is expected to be a thought-leader in his/her 
field and strengthen the Foundation’s position as 
a leader in the conservation community.  Keystone 
Directors are also expected to play a leadership 
role in securing federal and private funding for their programs.

For the Wildlife & Habitat Director, the 
Foundation seeks an individual with an 
entrepreneurial spirit and a broad knowledge of 
the challenges facing terrestrial ecosystems, 
large-scale and trans-boundary conservation 
issues. The ideal candidate will have a 
demonstrable record as an innovator in his/her 
field and serve as a catalyst within the 
Foundation to create new combinations of people, 
processes, methodologies, and ideas that will 
expand successes in outcome-based 
conservation.  The Foundation is particularly 
interested in individuals with expertise in one 
or more of the following issues: innovative land 
conservation (acquisition and restoration) 
techniques, ecosystem services, wildlife corridor 
design and conservation, and/or energy 
development impacts on wildlife.  The Wildlife & 
Habitat Director should have a strong scientific 
background and thorough understanding of the 
cutting-edge issues in terrestrial conservation 
as well as the ability to raise funding.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

•	Implementation of and evaluation of existing 
Wildlife and Habitat Keystone Initiatives, which 
include: Sierra Meadows, Sky Island Grasslands, 
Northern Rockies Wildlife Corridors, and Early 
Successional Forests (more detail on these 
Initiatives is available at www.nfwf.org; click on “Keystones.”).
•	Working with Chief Science Officer and science 
team, lead the development of new Initiatives as 
appropriate, integrating these into a common 
framework for delivering institutional outcomes 
and monitoring the success of the foundation’s investments
•	The ability to coordinate and facilitate groups 
of partners to work collaboratively on 
on-the-ground implementation of Initiatives;
•	Communicating effectively and persuasively with 
a diversity of audiences including the 
Foundation’s Board of Directors, Members of 
Congress, scientists, landowners and government agencies across the country.
•	Diligently pursuing innovative public and 
private partnerships to secure operational and 
programmatic funding for this initiative in 
coordination with the Development and Government 
Relations staff and regional offices.
•	Demonstrating thought leadership with the 
public, scientific, and/or conservation communities.
•	Coordinating with Foundation staff on all 
aspects of development and implementation of the 
Wildlife & Habitat Conservation Initiative to 
ensure strong integration of existing and new programs with this effort.
•	Managing applicable funding source(s) as 
appropriate, including preparation of grant 
applications and amendments, preparation and 
submission of financial and programmatic reports, 
and coordination with project officers to ensure 
compliance with all funding source requirements.
•	Preparing briefing materials and 
recommendations to support decision making by the Foundation’s Board.
•       Representing the Foundation at appropriate meetings, conferences, etc.
•       Conducting site visits in accordance with Foundation policy.
•       Willingness to travel with moderate frequency and sometimes on short 
notice.

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•	Recommending and leading efforts to improve 
internal administrative processes.
•       Performing other duties as assigned by the Chief Science Officer.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS)

•	PhD or masters degree with equivalent 
experience in natural resource management.
•       Demonstrated thought leadership within area of expertise.
•       Five to eight years experience in conservation program management.
•	Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a 
broad range of staff to create a highly integrated program.
•       Demonstrated ability to lead others and get desired results.
•	Demonstrated ability to facilitate productive 
exchange among government and non-government agencies and organizations.
•	Extensive experience and confidence to discuss 
conservation priorities and projects with Board 
members, ‘grasstop’ donors, Congressional staff 
and senior members of federal agency directorates.
•       Proven success in fundraising or program development.
•	Experience working with federal resource 
agencies and in managing cooperative agreements preferred.
•       Experience in grant management and administration preferred.
•       Ability to respond quickly and accurately to requests for information.
•       Ability to organize and prioritize work and meet short deadlines.
•	Strong interpersonal skills, particularly 
ability in working with the public and institutions.
•       Strong attention to detail and follow-through skills.
•       Ability to think strategically and plan for the future.
•       Flexibility in a rapidly changing environment.
•       Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
•       Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
•       Computer proficiency with databases, spreadsheets, and word processing.
•       Commitment to Foundation values.

Disclaimer

The statements herein are intended to describe 
the general nature and level of work being 
performed by the employee in this position.  The 
statements are not intended to be construed as an 
exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, 
and skills required of a person in this 
position.  Other responsibilities, duties and 
skills may be assigned and management retains the 
right to add or change the responsibilities, duties and skills at any time.