Opportunity

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.

This position is open to candidates based out of home offices or TNC offices within California. 

Responsibilities:

The Climate Resilience Project Manager (CRPM) position will support and coordinate multiple cross-functional teams at TNC focused on delivering innovative multi-benefit nature-based solutions (NBS) to address the climate crisis. This position will support the Climate & NBS strategy through the management and delivery of key demonstration projects and innovative partnerships to enhance the resilience of California’s natural resources and communities in the face of climate change impacts, such as sea level rise, flooding, wildfires, and more, and developing durable nature-based solutions for climate resilience and mitigation that have multiple benefits for nature and people. 

A central focus of this position will be to manage an innovative partnership between TNC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) focused on promoting a culture of nature-based hazard mitigation with state- and local-level partnerships by informing and developing mitigation actions, advancing the scientific understanding of future risk, and providing hazard information and technical support to communities, especially underserved communities. The position will provide project management and technical support for a portfolio of projects aimed at advancing the science and broad adoption of NBS in the field of disaster resilience and hazard mitigation in CA and across the U.S. Projects are focused on identifying and overcoming obstacles for NBS for FEMA hazard mitigation programs, unlocking novel NBS approaches and strategies for hazard mitigation, and working to scale NBS approaches across FEMA Region IX and nationally.

This position will also provide project management, technical, and relationship-building support to the broader Climate Resilience portfolio of work aimed at accelerating NBS adoption and implementation across natural systems, as well as scoping TNC’s role in scaling the restoration of floodplains in California for resilience, biodiversity, and other benefits. This position has an initial 1-year term, with possibility for extension. 

Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in conservation, project management, or environmental planning, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Background in and/or knowledge of climate change adaptation, nature-based solutions, and/or disaster mitigation 
• Project management skills and experience overseeing complex projects to completion
• Experience coordinating cross-discipline internal and external teams, such as scientists, engineers, economists, and policy experts. 
• Experience working with public agencies at the local, state and/or federal levels
• Excellent communication skills in a variety of contexts and forums (e.g., in-person, virtual, presentations, one-on-one)
• Experience developing and managing contracts and project budgets
• Experience writing technical letters, reports, and grant reports

Desired:

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 5-7 years’ experience in conservation practice, project management, or environmental planning, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with agencies, such as FEMA, California Office of Emergency Services, California Department of Water Resources, other state and local governments and organizations working on nature-based climate resilience/hazard mitigation plans or projects.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising and grant writing.   
• Community engagement and outreach experience with nonprofits and community groups.
• Politically savvy.

To apply for job ID 53989, submit your materials (resume and cover letter) online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 8:59 PM PST on Sunday, Sept 24, 2023. 

Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.