About the Position

The Conservation Director oversees the restoration staff, works with volunteers and other key partners, and is responsible for developing and delivering a comprehensive conservation program. They develop and direct all conservation projects and operations, supervise restoration staff, provide input on land acquisitions, determine organizational budget and grant needs, and represent Citizens for Conservation in working partnerships and the Barrington community.

The Conservation Director is responsible for the following:

Conservation Leadership

• Shape the strategic direction and vision for CFC.
• Engage the board in the implementation of the CFC Strategic Plan as well as the development and implementation of other restoration plans.
• Oversee the development of conceptual plans, scopes of work, and budgets for all existing and proposed conservation projects, including capital expenditures and three-year restoration schedules for all CFC preserves, including Hill N’ Dale.
• Nurture CFC’s signature volunteer culture that sees volunteers as participants who are essential to the success of the organization.
• Strengthen and provide leadership for the Barrington Greenway Initiative (BGI) in collaboration with other BGI partners, emphasizing restoration excellence, evaluation/monitoring, and ongoing field-based learning opportunities.
• Represent CFC throughout the greater community and within membership, promoting our successes and future goals while encouraging membership, visits to our restoration sites, and participation in CFC activities.
• Collaborate with agencies such as the United States Army Corp of Engineers, Illinois EPA, Illinois DNR, The Nature Conservancy, and other appropriate organizations.

Management

• Partner with the CFC Restoration and Stewardship Committee Chair to implement a volunteer stewards program that recruits and develops volunteer leaders to oversee CFC preserves.
• Hire and supervise restoration staff for ongoing restoration work and professional contractors for specific projects.
• Communicate clear expectations for restoration staff and set goals for daily restoration operations.
• Assist and support restoration staff in identifying and addressing challenges and ensure responsibilities are carried out in an effective and timely manner.
• Oversee and provide annual reviews for restoration staff.

Budget and Finance

• Work closely with Finance and Grant committees to identify needs for program funding.
• Assist in preparing CFC’s annual budget and work plan and participate in long-range strategic planning.
• Collaborate with the Grant Committee Chair to determine budgets and provide technical/design information for project grant proposals.
• Coordinate necessary monitoring and grant reporting on project progress and participate in funder site visits and other interactions as needed.

Communication

• Provide regular updates on key conservation and restoration priorities, recommendations, and needs to the CFC Board of Directors in a timely, concise, and contextual manner.
• Communicate effectively with restoration staff, administrative staff, volunteers, BOD, and advisors to provide and receive information necessary to support strategic and tactical decisions in an accurate and timely manner.
• Develop board meeting agendas and presentations in collaboration with the Board President and Administrative Director as needed.
• Oversee and participate in talks and lead informational tours on CFC restoration work to membership and the public.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in ecology, botany, natural resource management, environmental sciences or other related fields of study or equivalent experience.
• Five or more years of restoration experience with expert understanding of plant communities native to northeastern Illinois; methods for restoration of degraded ecosystems; endangered species monitoring; standard sources of information in natural area management and restoration ecology; proficiency in preparation and writing of restoration plans, management schedules and project contracts.
• Understanding of federal and state grant programs, ecological management organizations and relevant agencies.
• Leadership abilities that include working with BOD, restoration staff and partners.
• Ability to assign, inspire and supervise the work of others, including restoration staff and hired contractors.
• Ability to collaborate and work as a constructive team player.
• Strong aptitude for due diligence and compliance matters.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to understand, evaluate, and effectively supervise contracts.
• Knowledge of methods, materials and equipment used in management of natural areas.
• Ability to use Excel, Word, PowerPoint, familiarity with GIS/mapping software a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in project planning, implementation, and assessment for a conservation organization.