2025-10-10
National Audubon Society
Other
/yr
employee
contract
New York
New York
10014
United States
Location: Remote (40)
Full time
Requisition ID: JR885
About Audubon
The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.
The Director, Forest Conservation will work as part of the Wings Over Working Lands Initiative team to develop and advance a multi-pronged forest conservation portfolio. This person will serve in a leadership role in helping Audubon fully develop and advance its strategy to conserve forests across the hemisphere. They will work in collaboration with conservation, science, and policy teams across Audubon to prioritize geographies for conservation, coordinate multi-state habitat management projects, develop and strengthen forestry communities, including industry, and other strategic partnerships, and guide Audubon’s state, regional and international forest policy efforts.
Under the direction of the Senior Director, Wings Over Working Lands, and in collaboration with state and regional conservation teams in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean, the Director will support the growth of well-established, as well as new, forest conservation teams across the organization, amplifying Audubon’s contributions in forest conservation. This position will elevate Audubon’s leadership on the restoration, protection and stewardship of habitat by fostering collaboration, alignment and shared accountability for program outcomes and impacts of Audubon’s Habitat milestone under Flight Plan, Audubon’s strategic plan.
Compensation:
Salary range based on geo-differentials:
$115,000 - $129,000 / year = National
$129,000 - $145,000 / year = Alaska, CA (not San Francisco), Connecticut, D.C., Chicago, Oyster Bay, NY
$144,000 - $162,000 / year = NYC (not Oyster Bay), San Francisco, Seattle
Essential Functions
Lead the identification and pursuit of high-leverage forest conservation strategies that can be implemented across the organization.
Identify opportunities and secure funding for forest conservation projects in collaboration with state and regional offices, the Canada program, the Latin American and Caribbean program as well as other cross-geographic teams.
Build collaboration across Audubon’s forests programs including with local Audubon Chapters where appropriate, by creating avenues to work together and share knowledge.
In collaboration with policy leaders across the organization, develop top line policy priorities and a supporting policy agenda related to forest conservation.
Build and maintain key partnerships—including with industry, government agencies, Indigenous communities, academic institutions, and conservation NGOs—that are critical to positioning Audubon as a leader in forest conservation and to establishing trust with funding organizations.
Work with forest program staff across the organization to coordinate efforts, develop shared metrics, and track progress toward forest conservation goals and outcomes.
Develop and maintain relationships with relevant federal agencies, including but not limited to the U.S. Departments of the Interior and Agriculture, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Connect and apply the best available science to further the acquisition of knowledge to inform restoration strategies for forest habitats including old-growth forests, working forests, early successional forests, riparian woodlands, and other key forest ecosystems.
Support Audubon’s Climate initiative related to natural climate solutions (e.g. forest carbon), serving as a liaison between Audubon and partners, particularly in priority forest regions.
Serve as Audubon’s representative on regional and national forest conservation partnerships.
Collaborate with colleagues across Audubon’s Latin America and Caribbean programs including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.
Maintain and foster a culture of safety.
Other job-related duties as assigned.
10+ years of relevant experience in forest conservation and conservation program management. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
Bachelor’s degree in forestry, environmental science, natural resource management, or related field, Master’s preferred.
Familiarity with forest ecosystems and associated birds or other wildlife. Bird life-cycle knowledge desired.
Knowledge and appreciation of the range of people, values, and current restoration, forest resilience, and conservation practices across North America.
Experience leading efforts successfully within coalitions and/or matrix organizations.
Experience applying the best available science and other information to achieve conservation outcomes.
Ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information for a non-technical audience, with effective communication skills reaching both scientific audiences as well as the general public.
Excellent written and verbal communications skills with experience in grant writing and working with the press preferred.
Effective interpersonal skills—ability to motivate people to action.
Demonstrated skills applying a range of field data collection techniques and experience with research, data management, and basic statistical analysis are desired.
Willingness to conduct occasional travel and be comfortable with working evenings and weekends as job responsibilities demand.
Valid driver's license is necessary.
Demonstrated interest in and a commitment to forest restoration and conservation advocacy.
Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates.
The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
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