Hawai'i Island Marine Program Director

Hawaii

Hawaii Island. May work from home office on Hawaii Island or The Nature Conservancy's marine office in Keahole.

#LI-AM1

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.”

Established in 1980, TNC’s Hawai‘i program has forged partnerships to manage over 2 million acres of natural lands and has grown to include Palmyra Atoll. We currently manage 14 preserves and other sites in Hawai‘i and Palmyra Atoll. In Hawai‘i, we work with government agencies, private landowners, businesses, community partners and local stakeholders to protect and restore Hawai‘i’s native watershed forests, coral reefs, and nearshore fisheries for both their ecological value and the many benefits they provide to people. At Palmyra Atoll, a National Wildlife Refuge 1,000 miles south of Hawai‘i, we facilitate research in this living laboratory to better understand and address global questions around sustainable fisheries and resilience to climate change.

We are looking for a Hawaiʻi Island Marine Program Director to lead a multidisciplinary team, build and sustain a robust program and partnerships that are addressing critical threats to nearshore and coastal marine ecosystems and individual species.

The Program Director fosters a culture of learning and partnership, and co-develops, manages, and advances marine conservation programs, strategies, plans and methods for Hawaiʻi Island, providing technical leadership while directing and implementing conservation programs.
They work across sectors in partnership with local and Hawaiian communities, cultural practitioners, fishers, government agencies, researchers, businesses and the conservation community to advance enduring results.
They facilitate and inform conservation and community planning processes and develop and implement conservation strategies to improve marine resource management and secure public and private support for TNC and partner conservation priorities.

The Program Director works with their team and partners to develop practical applications of scientific concepts, technical innovations, and traditional and place-based ecological knowledge for conservation gains, and coordinates with the statewide marine science team to implement the highest priority on-island research activities.
The Program Director negotiates complex and innovative solutions, frequent travels domestically and/or internationally, and works evening and weekend hours. They may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

Are you looking for a career to help the people and marine ecosystems of Hawaiʻi thrive? Guided by contemporary science and local and Hawaiian knowledge systems and community leadership, TNC co-creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to Hawaiʻi’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together.
We’re looking for someone who is a passionate, motivated problem-solver. Our team in Hawaiʻi is dedicated to improving nature’s resilience mauka and makai, combating the extinction of priority species, and reducing risk to the most vulnerable communities in Hawai‘i and Palmyra while meeting Hawai‘i’s 2030 watershed and marine goals through innovative interventions and partnerships.

• BA/BS degree and 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with coastal and marine ecosystems and local and Hawaiian cultural and management practices in Hawaiʻi, including experience with communities and partners and demonstrated understanding of how to navigate and work with sensitivity to cultural norms for successful results.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
• Experience negotiating.

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.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $86,900 – $103,400 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific 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.

To apply for this job, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by February 25. 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.

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.

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.