What We Can Achieve Together:

The Nature Conservancy has owned and operated the 46,000 acre Santa Cruz Island Preserve, located 25 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara, since 1978 as a center for large-scale ecological research and restoration and a site to cultivate support for the Conservancy’s mission.

The Island Restoration Manager directs some or all aspects of design, implementation, and monitoring of restoration projects, providing expertise and oversight for TNC’s established conservation goals on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands. The Nature Conservancy recently received a large multi-year grant to implement habitat restoration projects on SCI and SRI, and the Restoration Manager is the principal project manager overseeing this grant.

We’re Looking for You:

The Island Restoration Manager works to improve the islands’ biodiversity, climate resilience and proactive ecological threat abatement with partners and TNC’s matrixed team. They lead the program in defining project objectives and design, specific to habitat and species level conservation outcomes. They develop and oversee multi-year restoration work plans across interconnected objectives which may include designing trials, tools and innovative methods. The Manager communicates complex solutions and best practices tailored to specific needs and audiences, including proposals and reports. They seek and engage support for TNC’s restoration work through community networks and funders to secure resources.

The Manager is required to work both independently and in collaboration with partners, contractors and a team of staff in a highly matrixed organization. Due to the remote nature of the work environment and eight-day work tours for field crews, successful candidates must be safety-oriented, methodically organized, and strong communicators through a variety of means.

This is a salaried, exempt position and living accommodations on-island are provided. The Restoration Manager is expected to be located on-site for at least nine days per month, primarily on Santa Cruz Island and regularly on other islands in the Channel Islands National Park. This position is currently termed based on funding, scheduled to end on September 30, 2027, with possibility for extension.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Develops, implements and reports on large multi-year project plans and budgets that encompass both TNC and partner work.
• Writes and manages grants, accomplishes deliverables and administers budgets.
• Participates in cross-island collaborations and forums for knowledge exchange.
• Builds cooperation with outside parties to accomplish program goals.
• Leads and manages contractors and volunteers to support and improve conservation efforts.             
• Works collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams and supports program objectives by working in a matrixed organization environment.             
• Establishes and maintains optimal standards of performance.
• Responsible for ensuring that public and private funds are raised to meet program needs.
• Financial responsibility will include working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development, and meeting fundraising targets.
• Leads site visits and tours for a variety of groups, including donors, agency representatives, and the community.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Routinely makes independent decisions based on consultation, analysis, experience, and context.
• Leads site visits and tours for a variety of groups, including donors, agency representatives, and the community.

What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience planning, managing, and executing complex projects, including staffing, workloads, logistics and finances under deadlines.
• Experience completing tasks independently and managing timeline(s).
• Experience writing and managing grants, completing deliverables to budget and deadline.
• Experience leading and working with cross functional teams.   
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies 
• Experience facilitating groups, motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing outcomes.
• Project management, organization, and collaboration skills.
• Commitment to applying the principles of conservation and ecology in day-to-day decision-making.
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
• Must be able to perform physical work, often under adverse conditions or in inclement weather, including lifting 45lbs, bending, kneeling and walking up to 5 miles on moderately steep terrain.
• Must have prior CPR and First Aid training and willingness to obtain additional related certifications.
• Experience with common software applications.
• Experience working and communicating with a wide range of people.

Desired Qualifications:

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 5-7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years related experience in project management including planning and/or moderately complex processes including logistics in remote environments; budgets from multiple funding sources; and experimental design, data collection and monitoring.
• Demonstrated experience in utilizing GIS platforms.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing restoration plans.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions.
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives or related field.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising. 
• Politically savvy.

Salary Information:

The starting annual pay range for this position is within the range of $82,700 - $97,275.

This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA, state of employment is California, and county of employment is Ventura or Santa Barbara. A successful candidate’s pay will be based on a variety of factors, including location, qualifications, skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit  Glassdoor.

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

What We Bring:

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Employees must submit their application by logging into Workday and applying via the Jobs Hub.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

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