POSITION DESCRIPTION URBAN WILDLIFE REFUGE PROGRAM MANAGER Background: The National Wildlife Refuge Association is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting America’s wildlife through programs that support the National Wildlife Refuge System and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Refuge Association is an independent and nonpartisan organization that works in cooperation with a federal agency, and its sources of funding include foundations, corporations, individuals and government funds. The organization is headquartered in Washington, DC with 9 Washington-based staff and 6 field-based staff.
In 2014, the National Wildlife Refuge System launched its Urban Wildlife Conservation Program, which places new emphasis on building the stature, profile and accessibility of wildlife refuges in urban areas. The National Wildlife Refuge Association, as an independent nonprofit, is working in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop outstanding urban refuges in flagship communities across the nation by providing assistance with program development, partnership building, community outreach and engagement, and private fundraising to leverage federal and state investments in urban refuges and surrounding communities. Our goal is to build great programs on urban refuges that engage a broad constituency of wildlife refuge supporters as leaders and advocates. Position Description: The URBAN WILDLIFE REFUGE PROGRAM MANAGER is the Refuge Association’s national point-person on urban wildlife refuges. The present work plan includes engaging with 14 urban refuges around the nation, building and implementing their visions for the future, and providing technical assistance both on the ground and at the national level. This position will supervise locally-based staff and consultants in several metropolitan areas across the nation. The position can be based in Washington DC, but that is not mandatory. Duties: • Lead the Refuge Association’s Urban Refuge program by coordinating program, fundraising and communications work associated with urban refuge program. • Develop, implement and oversee multi-phased work plans at 14 wildlife refuges – tiered in priority. This includes synching up with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service “Standards of Excellence” and evaluation criteria for urban wildlife refuges while also focusing on the niche, skills and services that best allow the Refuge Association to add value. • Coordinate and conduct workshops and meetings. • Hire, supervise and manage field-based staff and consultants. • Identify and build partnerships with community organizations, strategic partners and funders. • Monitor, evaluate and report on program milestones and accomplishments. • Serve as primary liaison with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service national urban team, as well as relevant sub-teams. • Foster good internal communications with leadership, other program staff, communications and admin staff. Qualifications: • Minimum 5-8 years experience in urban park programming, urban community development related to environmental issues, public relations, fundraising or related fields. • Experience and skill working with diverse communities in an urban setting. • Proven track record building innovative partnerships, setting and achieving program goals, and monitoring outcomes and impact. • Proven success raising funds through philanthropy and corporate partnerships. • Proven success developing and implementing public relations and outreach strategies. • Experience with strategic planning, program analysis and evaluation, use of logic models. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, experience with public speaking as well as proposal and report writing. • Creative and energetic approach to working with both community interests and a federal agency – Experience working with government agencies will be helpful. • Excellent judgment, ability to take initiative and captain a team in a fast-paced environment. • Must enjoy facilitating among many partners and problem-solving while advancing goals on the ground. • College degree in related field and relevant experience. • Ability to travel. Salary commensurate with experience. Full benefits package. To apply, please send a letter of interest and resume or C.V. (pdf format preferred) to [email protected] Position is open until filled. Resume review will begin November 23, 2015. The National Wildlife Refuge Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer
