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Conservation Delivery Manager

Playa Lakes Joint Venture
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Position Summary

The primary role of the Conservation Delivery Manager is to support partners and coordinate habitat conservation and restoration efforts to meet PLJV’s wetland and grassland habitat goals. The position works closely with partners in local, state, and federal agencies as well as private and nonprofit organizations to restore and conserve playas and other wetlands, grasslands and other priority bird habitats. The position may also work directly with agricultural producers and landowners on occasion. 
 

The Conservation Delivery Manager operates collaboratively, as part of PLJV’s interdisciplinary team, using best available science and tools to incorporate conservation design, biological and social science, and communications into conservation partnerships and delivery efforts. Day-to-day work can include facilitating partnership meetings, supporting outreach and communications to targeted audiences, conducting site visits of restoration projects to accomplish bird habitat conservation objectives, and grant writing and fundraising to support conservation initiatives and programs.

 

Major Duties

  • Partnership Engagement: Work closely with federal, state, and local government and non-government organizations including USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Service Agency, US Fish and Wildlife Service, state wildlife agencies, soil and water conservation districts, bird conservation organizations, and landscape level partnerships (e.g. Eastern New Mexico Grasslands Collaborative, Texas Playa Conservation Initiative, and Oklahoma POWer). Coordination may include participating in planning exercises and working committees, providing technical assistance with grants or habitat management, and/or aiding development of newer local or regional habitat conservation partnerships.
     
  • Project Management and Support: Collaborate with and support local conservation partnerships and other partners in developing and implementing habitat conservation projects within the Joint Venture geography, primarily in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Assess partner capacity and capabilities for new and ongoing habitat conservation programs. Support, develop or lead on-the-ground habitat conservation programs based on partner project assessments. Ensure PLJV’s bird conservation and people objectives are considered for each project. Communicate avian habitat requirements to land and water managers, who are developing habitat conservation projects. Maintain close relationships with partners to stay abreast of their activities, understand their needs, and learn about future projects/programs that could be developed. Collaborate with partners, to scope, develop and/or fund new or continuing conservation delivery or capacity building programs.
     
  • Staff Supervision: Supervise and mentor conservation delivery staff and help guide their work to achieve desired outcomes by clearly defining work assignments and priorities; outlining objectives and goals to be accomplished and timelines within which to complete them; reviewing work at critical junctures/phases; identifying and addressing obstacles and suggesting necessary modifications; and providing appropriate coaching and oversight.
     
  • NAWCA: Based on level of experience, may assist partners pursuing NAWCA grants by offering suggestions for project development, match possibilities, and answers to bird-related technical questions. May also include attending NAWCA staff meetings, defending proposals, maintaining an understanding of project reviews, and conveying new information to potential regional NAWCA applicants.
     

Required Qualifications

  • A bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Management, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Studies or a related field, and a minimum of 5 years experience in natural resource management
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and manage relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including experience working with agricultural and livestock producers
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in an adaptive manner
  • Strong communication skills, including the ability to convey scientific and technical information to a variety of audiences
  • Demonstrated ability to coordinate or lead a group in a successful project
     

Desired Qualifications

  • Understanding of wetland and grassland management and restoration principles and techniques 
  • Understanding of bird habitat requirements in prairie and wetland habitats
  • Experience with NAWCA grants and Farm Bill practices and programs
  • Familiarity with the four national Bird Conservation Plans (NAWMP, PIF, USSCP, NAWCP)
  • Ability to communicate in English and Spanish

 

Other Requirements/Physical Demands

  • Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license.
  • This position will need to conduct off-site meetings and evaluations that may include traversing wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces in hot, cold, dry, or humid environments. 
     

Travel Required

  • At times may require substantial workday travel and overnight trips to meet with landowners and partners. Travel requirements may be up to 30% of monthly time, including overnight stays up to 10% of time.
     

About Playa Lakes Joint Venture

PLJV is a regional partnership of federal and state wildlife agencies, conservation groups and private industry dedicated to conserving bird habitat throughout portions of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Our mission is to conserve the playas, prairies and landscapes of the western Great Plains through partnerships for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, and people. The Joint Venture facilitates cooperation among a broad coalition of partners on the national, regional, state and local levels to fund and implement habitat conservation. We provide regional planning, value­-added efficiency and implementation approaches, while our partners provide financial, technical and local expertise to develop conservation projects. In addition, PLJV supports local conservation partnerships, state agencies and other partners by developing various decision support tools, as well as providing education about how to use the tools to target and deliver the most effective habitat conservation. PLJV also works with a variety of partners to inform landowners about conservation programs and to target conservation efforts in areas that will provide the most benefit.
 

Supervisor 

This position reports directly to the PLJV Coordinator and is largely self­-directed. Performance objectives will be developed by the Conservation Delivery Manager in consultation with the Coordinator.
 

Salary, Benefits, and Start Date

Starting salary is commensurate with education, experience, and location with an expected range of $75,000-$80,000. PLJV offers a generous benefits package, including full medical and dental coverage, HSA with annual contribution to defray medical deductibles, and a 7% salary match toward our retirement plan.
 

Job Location

This is a remote (work from home) position that can be based anywhere within the PLJV region of eastern New Mexico, the Texas panhandle or western or central Oklahoma. The Conservation Delivery Manager is expected to work effectively without close supervision. While the focus will be in the southern states of the PLJV region, this position may also support activities within the broader six-state region. Priority will be given to candidates with a demonstrated connection to the landscape and community. 
 

To Apply

Playa Lakes Joint Venture is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please email your application documents as one complete PDF file to jobs@pljv.org. All applications should include a one-page cover letter and a resume. In the cover letter, please include salary requirements and an estimated start date. The deadline for applications is December 31, 2025.