Location negotiable within California.
Who We Are
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Grounded in science, we develop innovative 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; respect for people, communities, and cultures; and a collaborative, nonpartisan approach. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world.
The California Chapter is TNC’s largest state program and one of the largest, most dynamic conservation organizations in the country. With approximately 275 employees, from financial analysts and fundraisers to ecologists and economists, we are currently invested in 14 strategies to address the biggest challenges facing California and the world, including numerous community-based projects designed to increase the pace, scale, and effectiveness of conservation. Over the past six decades, we have protected 1.4 million acres, 5,000 miles of streams, and 3.8 million acres of ocean habitat in California and off the coast.
The California Chapter believes that we are most effective when we are embedded in our state’s communities, politics, media, and environmental issues. For this reason, and to reduce our carbon footprint when meeting in person, all staff live in California, including those in a home office.
Finally, we are passionate about the middle ground in American politics and life. The hallmark of The Nature Conservancy is its “big tent” approach, engaging people across the political and ideological spectrum to find solutions that last. We ask all employees to embrace this critical strategic position of our organization.
What We Can Achieve Together
The Oceans Project Director leads and manages a portfolio of projects aimed at advancing enabling conditions for kelp restoration at sea-scape scales in California. This position presents a unique opportunity to translate successes and lessons learned through in-water demonstration projects to influence policy and restoration strategy at the state level. Additionally, you will lead an effort to create and bring stakeholders together around a shared vision and approach for kelp restoration on a state-wide basis. This work is a key objective of the kelp portfolio and is critical to our ability to truly impact kelp forests at a meaningful scale. In this role, you will synthesize and communicate findings from areas of our programmatic work for key partners, build and foster relationships with key stakeholders across a diverse set of interest, build trust and motivate partners behind a shared vision, plan and host convenings and develop summary reports, and provide insight and support for drafting policy language. You will work on a multi-disciplinary team of ocean conservation practitioners advancing some of the most creative and ambitious work around ocean protection and recovery in the world today. The work you will be leading will have intersections with our larger Ocean Recovery strategy and will likely influence our ability to have a positive impact on other habitat types
WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU
If you’re looking for a career where you can work with an ambitious and motivated team to develop solutions to the world’s most pressing ocean conservation challenges, look no further. Come join the California Oceans Team at The Nature Conservancy as our Oceans Project Director. The California Oceans Program in The Nature Conservancy spearheads innovative and collaborative initiatives to enhance resiliency in marine and coastal ecosystems. Within the Oceans Program, the Ocean Recovery Strategy has a large body of work aimed at restoring eel grass and oyster beds in California and around the world. The Ocean Recovery strategy catalyses change by working with a wide range of stakeholders, resource users, non-profits, agencies, coastal communities, and researchers to develop cutting-edge science and tools to drive kelp recovery on a large scale. The Oceans Project Director directs some or all aspects of restoration, science, stewardship, and community relations for the Ocean Recovery strategy across California within the California Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. The Project Director Serves as the principle contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations, coastal communities and industry partners, and the academic community. This person directs some or all aspects of on-the-ground engagements and local partnerships for native oyster and eel grass restoration across California, advancing TNC’s vision for Ocean Recovery across the state. You will serve as a restoration practitioner and work within a matrixed team to engage local coastal communities, ocean farmers, fishermen, the academic and research communities, state and regional managers, other conservation organizations, and foundations in Ocean Recovery and marine and restoration. You will work directly with partners at both the project and policy levels to develop and advance innovative approaches to restoring oysters and eel grass along the coast of California, deploying these approaches through collaborative pilot projects, transactional strategies, policy reform, capacity building, community engagement, and cooperative research. As part of the Oceans Program, you will work closely with TNC’s California Oceans Program Science Department to identify strategies that accelerate the paces of habitat restoration and to identify knowledge gaps associated with these efforts. All team members manage partnerships, develop contracts and grants, and tracks deliverables for projects. As part of this role you will be expected to communicate regularly and effectively with the Ocean Recovery and Oceans Teams, as well as with key partners and stakeholders. This position will report directly to the Ocean Recovery Strategy Lead within the California Oceans Program. The location for this position is anywhere in California. Apply today and find a career where you can find meaning and purpose!
What You'll Bring
- Master's Degree in science related field and 3-5 years of experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners
- Experience developing partnerships with nonprofits, community groups and Tribes, resource users, and/or government agencies)
- Experience negotiating and managing budgets and contracts
- Experience as a creative and solutions-focused thinker
- PADI/AAUS open water diver certification
- Experience influencing policy or drafting policy language.
- Excellent communication skills, written and spoken.