Wild Rivers Conservancy of the St. Croix & Namekagon is looking for an experienced Natural Resources Manager to join our team. Wild Rivers Conservancy is the official nonprofit partner of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. The Conservancy’s mission is to inspire stewardship to forever ensure the rare ecological integrity of the St. Croix and Namekagon Riverway.

This person is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the Conservancy’s strategies to protect and enhance the natural resources and ecosystems in the St. Croix River watershed. They will ensure seamless team management and development, oversee all aspects of program delivery and natural resources grant management, quality control and evaluation. Someone who thrives with working collaboratively, with both nonprofits and government organizations, will flourish in this role.

Position Summary

The Natural Resources Manager is a member of the Conservancy management team. They will work under the direction of the Executive Director, and very close with the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway staff. This position is a key external face of our organization in the watershed, developing and maintaining relationships with wide-ranging partnerships to achieve natural resource conservation efforts throughout the watershed. They are responsible for overseeing and executing a variety of grants.

Core Functions

• Manage and implement the natural resources program and projects, with the Conservancy team, and in close collaboration with NPS staff and other partners.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate the natural resource program team.
• Provide natural resources program grants oversight and operations; seek additional funding, manage grants and projects, and submit reports as required.
• Build, strengthen, and maintain partnerships with key watershed stakeholders to complement and enhance local and regional efforts and projects.
• Advocate and build strategies for the management, protection, and restoration of the St. Croix River Riverway and its watershed.
• Develop and implement comprehensive natural resource management plans, alone and in collaboration, with a wide variety of partners.
• Enhance understanding and awareness, especially among local units of government, of the existing special protections for upholding wild and scenic values along the Riverway.
• Serve as a resource and provide information to the many and varied river-user groups regarding St Croix watershed natural resources.
• Develop analysis tools and perform monitoring to assess effectiveness of conservation projects and programs.

Qualifications

• Minimum of an undergraduate degree in natural resources, recreation management, environmental science, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of three years’ experience with proven results in community engagement, partnership development and recreation, restoration and/or land management.
• Ability to work independently, performing fieldwork, attending meetings, and effectively manage a variety of projects and tasks to successful completion.
• A strong understanding of recreation and natural resources issues.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and administrative skills and ability to work with diverse constituents in a clear and professional manner.
• Ability to work with a wide range of people with differing and sometimes conflicting opinions, and to always maintain neutrality.
• Strong writing skills and public speaking experience. A strong attention to detail, with skill in working in a timely and well-organized fashion.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States, have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Salary and Benefits

The Natural Resources Manager is a full-time, salaried position with benefits and an annual salary range of $62K to $75K. The office is based in the picturesque river town of Osceola, Wisconsin. This position will have flexible hours and will require some travel for events and activities throughout the St. Croix watershed.