Deputy Director, Mississippi River Delta Restoration and Resilience Project

For more than 3 decades, Environmental Defense Fund has worked to reform water policies and protect our nation's most important delta systems. Our no-nonsense, non-partisan approach uses science and market incentives to bring about change. 

One of our main areas of emphasis is Coastal Louisiana, where federal policy and projects related to navigation, flood control, and energy development have led to the degradation and disappearance of more than 2,300 square miles of land since 1930. Various civic and governmental efforts to address the delta's continuing wetlands-loss problem are underway, but the future of the area's coastal communities and economy, which rely on this unique ecosystem, remains uncertain and precarious. The urgent need to take extraordinary measures to protect this vital economy and unique culture is undeniable. 

The Mississippi River Delta Restoration and Resilience Project aims to restore the natural land-building process of the delta ecosystem while simultaneously ensuring a vibrant, sustainable, and healthy future for the area's communities, culture, and economy. Our recent campaigns include working to close the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, restoring a 30,000 acre wetland adjacent to communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina, and building land in the deteriorated Barataria Basin. This work is supported by a diverse staff of policy and legal experts, PhD scientists, community advocates, and economists.

We work in close partnership with local stakeholder groups and national organizations, such as The National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, and The Nature Conservancy.

Position Overview:

Environmental Defense Fund seeks a talented and innovative Deputy Director to join its team of legal, policy, scientific, economic, and outreach experts who are working to restore the Mississippi River Delta's coastal wetlands. The Deputy Director will directly support the Senior Director in monitoring and managing the program, developing staff roles, and guiding team members in their work with coalition partners.

The ideal candidate will bring excellent team management skills, fundraising and budgeting experience, and an interest in supporting a range of ecosystem restoration activities. This is an excellent opportunity to build the scope and effectiveness of a multidisciplinary coalition working to accelerate the nation's largest climate change adaptation, landscape-scale public works, and land-use reform effort. 

Responsibilities:

The Deputy Director will perform the following and other duties as assigned:

• Facilitate consistent and effective communications among all program staff; report and make recommendations to the Senior Director regarding progress, obstacles, and resource needs.
• Promote an organizational culture and structure that fosters communication, collaboration, teamwork, and trust.
• Work with the Senior Director and Policy Director to set objectives and strategies; assist in translating these strategies into workplans.
• Evaluate the progress and effectiveness of EDF staff in meeting goals and objectives.
• Coordinate and engage scientists, policy experts, and others to solve complex problems related to restoration and resilience goals for the Mississippi River Delta.
• Respond to requests from the Executive Team, Development, Finance, and other EDF departments for information or assistance. 
• With the Senior Director and pursuant to consultation with program staff, negotiate consultant and other provider contracts and monitor contract deliverables for timeliness and quality.
• Participate effectively in science, policy, and communications team discussions.

Qualifications:

The successful applicant will have the following minimum qualifications:

• 7+ years of relevant experience, including project/team management experience and experience developing organizational systems and protocols, knowledge in ecosystem restoration preferred
• Advanced degree in law, science, policy, or business administration
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and manage a multidisciplinary team and help that team meet stated goals and objectives in a timely fashion
• Exemplary problem-solving, interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills
• Demonstrated experience solving complex problems through coalitions and partnerships
• Experience mediating internal conflicts both inside and outside of a chain of command
• Flexibility and a good sense of humor
• Demonstrated desire to step into various roles as needed
• Commitment to EDF's strategic approach, combined with enthusiasm for working on a complex but daunting issue, such as Mississippi River Delta restoration and resilience

Compensation: Environmental Defense Fund offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience.  This position will require regular travel between Washington, DC, New York, and New Orleans.

To Apply:

The position will remain open until filled. To be considered for this position, interested candidates must follow this link to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements.

Environmental Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer. Click here to view EDF's Diversity Mission Statement.