Project Manager

~ Island Conservation is committed to the protection of island life. ~

The mission of Island Conservation is to prevent extinctions by removing invasive species from islands.

Island Conservation prevents extinctions by working where the concentration of both biodiversity and species extinction is greatest-islands. By removing one of the greatest threats-introduced invasive vertebrates-native island species and ecosystems recover with little or no additional intervention. To date, we have deployed team members to 52 islands worldwide to protect 977 populations of 389 species.

Island Conservation began as a network of conservationists in 1994 and became a charitable organization in 1997. Working together with local communities, government management agencies and conservation organizations, we select islands that have the greatest potential for preventing the extinction of globally threatened species; develop comprehensive and humane plans for the removal of invasive species; implement the removal of invasive species; and conduct research-conservation measures-to understand the ecosystem changes and benefits to inform future conservation action.

Position Overview

Island Conservation seeks a Project Manager to lead the development and implementation of island restoration projects with a specific focus on projects in Hawaii and Micronesia.

The position reports to the Hawaii-US Pacific Islands & Micronesia Program Manager. The position may also be responsible for the long term supervision of direct reports.

The position is based on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii. The position requires extensive travel with extended periods of time away from the duty station. Willingness to live and work in remote sites with few amenities is essential. 

Responsibilities

Work Program

• Maintains relationships with partners and communities instrumental to the successful implementation of projects.
• Works with IC's Environmental Compliance Specialist to identify the compliance requirements for projects and supports the process for gaining permissions necessary for a project to proceed.
• Implements steps to establish and maintain enabling conditions necessary for successful project implementation.
• Oversees the planning and implementation of projects.
• Identifies and cultivates donors and funding agencies to secure resources for the implementation of projects.
• Creates a budget for projects and tracks budget performance.
• Proactively identifies critical issues and risks to projects and ensures that they are managed in collaboration with the appropriate Program Manager or Project Director.
• Reports progress on deliverables, financial and non-financial indicators, risks and issues to the Program Manager or Project Director as agreed. 

Performance Indicators:

• Feedback from partners reflects positively on performance.
• Permissions to complete projects are gained.
• Projects successfully implemented.
• Project budgets track close to forecasts.
• Funding opportunities are identified and secured.
• Solutions to risks and issues are identified.
• Reporting meets internal and external expectations and deadlines. 

Team Leadership

• Leads a team of Field Managers and Island Restoration Specialists and/or other staff to deliver project objectives.
• Initiates, supports and implements innovation.
• Provides leadership and commitment to safe work practices.
• Seeks feedback to determine the effectiveness of work. 

Performance Indicators:

• You are seen to be actively engaging with team members in your role as supervisor.
• You ensure project specific safety plans are in place, incidents are discussed with staff and strategies for injury prevention are implemented. 

Organizational Integration

• Coordinates with ICEAT to ensure project quality.
• Coordinates as required with IC's Science Program on Conservation Measures.
• Collaborates with peers to share knowledge and best practice, and build systems and processes that are available for use both within the organization and externally. 

Performance Indicators:

• You are seen to be a strong contributor to your peers both in your knowledge of the business, specialist expertise and ability to think of risks, critical issues, and solutions that further the goals of Island Conservation. 

Specialist Expertise

• Compiles and analyses data collected in the field, reports and summarizes data.
• Writes reports, scientific, and popular articles based on research and monitoring data. 
• Scans the external environment for information, trends, best practices and innovation.
• Develops innovative solutions to address barriers to achievement.
• Works with peers to provide integrated, coordinated and fit for purpose advice that meets the internal needs of the organization. 

Performance Indicators:

• Advice provided is thoughtful and well-reasoned.
• Scientific Reports and Publications.
• Innovations are identified and taken up elsewhere. 

Learning

• Demonstrates effective learning as part of everyday practice.
• Assists peers and their teams to learn effectively from experience.
• Supports the learning and development of your team (individually and collectively). 

Performance Indicators:

• Your manager can see you learning from experience and sharing these lessons with others.
• You are seen to be actively looking for developmental opportunities to grow your team's capability.

Administration

• Complies with organisational systems and processes. 

Performance Indicators:

• You and your team comply with all mandatory systems.
• You and your team contribute to improving and streamlining organisational systems.

Time Allocation

• Project Planning and Implementation - 50%
• Maintenance of Relationships - 25%
• Staff Supervision - 10%
• Specialist Expertise - 5%
• Learning - 5%
• Administration - 5% 

Qualifications

Necessary Attributes for the Position:

• The successful applicant must be passionate about conservation, have a strong commitment to Island Conservation's mission, and have impeccable integrity.
• The ability to be a positive member of a highly motivated team, both in the office and in the field, is critical.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree from an accredited 3 or 4 year college or university in Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Science, or other biological discipline, or commensurate experience.
• 2 years of experience with planning, implementing, and reporting on conservation biology actions; experience with the control or eradication of invasive species is preferred.
• Willingness and ability to spend significant time in the field away from home; field deployments can run from 1 week to 6 weeks or longer.
• Experience managing small teams during field-based projects.
• Excellent written and spoken English language skills; a writing sample will be requested.
• Practiced and proficient at extracting information from peer-reviewed and gray literature.
• Practiced and proficient at preparing technical reports; experience with NEPA documents is preferred.
• Position requires excellent organizational skill, ability to work independently, ability to solve problems with limited supervision, and the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to follow directions and delegate tasks when necessary.
• Basic computer skills including experience with Word, Excel, MS Office, Outlook, etc.
• Ability to perform data entry into spreadsheets and databases; experience with statistical analysis is preferred.
• Ability to coordinate field logistics and supervise interns/technicians to collect field data.
• Ability to perform efficiently under physically demanding conditions, including walking daily over rough terrain.
• Ability to live harmoniously in small groups, in remote field camps.
• Experience with standard survey techniques (birds, mammals, plants).
• Valid Driver's License.
• Passport or willingness to apply for a passport.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Familiarity with conservation initiatives and issues in Hawaii and/or Micronesia.
• Foreign language skills (e.g., Hawaiian, French, Spanish, Japanese.)
• Experience in scientific writing, e.g., first author on a peer-reviewed publication.
• Experience in invasive species control and/or eradication including baiting, trapping, and use of firearms.
• Experience in animal trapping, handling, tagging, and radio-tracking.
• Experience in GIS applications and/or GPS use.
• Helicopter training, and/or experience working around helicopters.
• Wilderness First Aid/First Responder certification or equivalent.

Compensation: The salary for this position will be commensurate with the experience of the employee - includes full benefits.

To Apply

Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to submit your cover letter, CV or resume, and two or more references. This position will be open until filled.

Please put "HI PM 2014" in the subject line and send documents in word format. Label your cover letter combined with your CV as "LastnameCV.doc."  No phone calls please. Mahalo!