Job ID: 53166
Location: Alabama
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
OFFICE LOCATION
Birmingham, Alabama, USA
AL201
WHO WE ARE
The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.
One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”
WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER
The Urban Watershed Restoration Specialist (Watershed Specialist) will identify, develop, and manage restoration and protection projects in priority streams in the Birmingham Metropolitan Area. Working in coordination with the Director of Freshwater programs and other staff and partners the Watershed Specialist will advance assessment, prioritization, and project implementation to address our most immediate urban freshwater threats. The Watershed Specialist will serve as the face and voice of The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to protect and restore urban headwater streams for some of North America’s most important freshwater systems.
The Freshwater Program uses a 3-prong approach to watershed protection and restoration, with Urban water as one of those prongs. TNC has cultivated meaningful relationships with several municipalities and partner organizations to enhance our ability to advise on restoration and/or protection needs and implementation in some our most important headwater stream ecosystems. Our non-advocacy, non-political, and non-confrontational approach has proven successful when advising on stormwater abatement activities, urban planning, green infrastructure implementation and/or retrofit, low impact development and nature-based solutions.
We currently have 3 urban watershed projects underway:
- Village Creek Stormwater Abatement – Ensley, AL
- Little Canoe Creek Stream Restoration – Springville, AL
- Upper Cahaba River Assessment, Prioritization, and Advisement – Trussville, AL
WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU
The Watershed Specialist will provide technical leadership and support within the Locust Fork, Big Canoe Creek and Cahaba River watersheds and plan and coordinate restoration and protection projects to address hydrologic alteration, sediment abatement, stormwater infrastructure implementation, public stormwater and conservation policy and aquatic barrier removal. The Watershed Specialist will address critical threats to natural systems and individual species, foster cross-site learning among conservation community and support conservation planning efforts with site or landscape level information relevent to the planning process. The Watershed Specialist will develop and implement conservation strategies and employ a full range of protection tools to aquire varying degrees of legal interest in land and implement a variety of strategies to secure public and private support for TNC conservation priorities. The Watershed Specialist builds community and partner support, coordinates multiple projects, sets deadlines and manages projects until completion.
If you’re looking for a career where you can find meaning and purpose, come join our Chapter as our Urban Watershed Restoration Specialist! Not only will you fulfil conservation objectives in the beautiful state of Alabama, but you’ll contribute to TNC’s international conservation goals!
We’re looking for a passionate, dedicated person to lead our Chapter and work within our Division. Systems Leadership, creativity, and the ability to influence without authority are key in this role. Come join TNC and apply today!
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
- Bachelor’s degree and 3 years experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combinaton of education and experience.
- Project management experience.
- Experience negotiating complex agreements.
- Experience managing staff or volunteers.
- Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., media, government officials, internal scientists.
- Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
- Experience with communication via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
- Experience in training staff, partners, and/or volunteers.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to drive TNC vehicles.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated
- 3-5 years’ experience in natural resource management, similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or similar training
- Experience with leading and implementing on the ground stream restoration projects
- Familiarity with fluvial hydrogeomorphology and aquatic biology
- Experience with stormwater and other water use policies
- Experience with industry standard stream assessment, stormwater management, green infrastructure, low impact development, and nature-based solutions methodologies
- Familiarity with principles of land acquisition or similar asset acquisition
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, ecological land management, and natural resource preservation
- Experience with municipal government outreach
- Experience with preparation, application, and management of grants
- Knowledge of federal incentive programs (i.e. BRIC and other FEMA grants, EPA 319 funding, Farm Bill and other USDA funding, Partners for Fish and Wildlife, NWFW).
- Ability and willingness to work with a multi-agency team to identify and prioritize restoration and protection efforts
- Experience working with private landowners and municipalities to enhance their knowledge of conservation practices
- Ability to work from a canoe and/or kayak
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 on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
AUTO SAFETY POLICY
This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered “high risk drivers.” To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.
Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee’s motor vehicle record.
APPLY NOW
To apply for job ID 53166, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character 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.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
Where legally permissible, TNC requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated and willing to keep up to date with vaccines that protect against COVID-19. By accepting an offer of employment, you agree to comply with this requirement, unless you are entitled to a legally mandated exemption.
An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.
Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.
