MISSION: For more than 50 years, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida has been a leading environmental advocacy organization dedicated to protecting Southwest Florida’s water, land, wildlife, and future.
PURPOSE OF JOB: Provide leadership, strategic planning, and technical expertise for the Conservancy on climate and resilience policy, and oversee technical analysis and policy formulation for the organization on subject matter expertise.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic Leadership and Advocacy:
• Serve as the primary spokesperson and expert on climate and resilience matters.
• Collaborate with the Director of Environmental Policy to establish, adapt, and oversee departmental projects and priorities related to climate and resilience.
• Advocate for policy changes and provide recommendations to governmental agencies, emphasizing nature-based solutions, green infrastructure, and emission reduction.
Research and Technical Analysis:
• Monitor and evaluate climate and resilience issues, researching climate change, sea level rise, and local vulnerabilities.
• Analyze data, literature, regulations, and reports to inform policy recommendations.
• Compile findings into white papers, comment letters, and advocacy materials for diverse audiences.
• Offer technical guidance to staff on climate and resilience issues.
Communication and Collaboration:
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, such as the Director of Environmental Science and the marketing/communications team, on shared climate and resilience priorities.
• Cultivate relationships with governmental and non-governmental entities to advance policy objectives.
• Provide public outreach presentations and testimonies and act as policy spokesperson for media interactions to raise awareness of climate issues, focusing on Collier and Lee counties.
Project Management and Coordination:
• Oversee climate and resilience projects, including contract consultants’ work products.
• Policy team lead for drafting social media content related to climate change in coordination with policy and marketing/communications teams.
• Provide support preparing grant proposal and report preparation, organization newsletter contributions, and participation in local environmental committees.
Other Responsibilities:
• Provide administrative support for the Conservancy’s litigation efforts as needed.
• Support the Conservancy’s fundraising efforts, attending events and meeting donors.
• Maintain confidentiality of donor records and organizational information.
The above statements describe the general qualifications required to perform the job and the general nature and level of work performed – not a complete list of duties; management may assign additional responsibilities.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Master’s Degree preferred in Urban Planning, Climate Change, Resilience, Sustainability, Public Policy, Coastal sciences, coastal engineering, or other relevant Degree
• At least two years’ experience in the field of climate change or coastal resilience – preferred work experience in Florida resilience and sustainability projects
• Strong technical and communication skills, knowledge of climate change science and impacts, and demonstrated experience in resilience and adaptation planning.
• Understanding of the Florida Adaptation Planning Guidebook, Resilient Florida program, State Statutes related to resiliency and sea level rise, various regional climate compacts, and available local governmental climate adaptation/action plans
• Must be strongly committed to biodiversity conservation, environmental quality, and natural resources.
• Demonstrated experience preparing technical reports and memos.
• Proficient in using MS Office software, including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint
• Experience in community outreach and conservation policy development.
• Knowledge of GIS database research and environmental mapping preferred
• Knowledgeable on the environmental issues in Southwest Florida.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational and leadership abilities.
• Highly self-motivated, work as a problem solver and critical thinker.
• Willing to work variable hours and to travel to meetings.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
To excel in this role, individuals must satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements below reflect the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities. The Conservancy will make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
• Read, analyze, and interpret scientific, technical, and legal documents and compose reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Effectively present information and respond to inquiries from diverse audiences.
• Perform calculations involving figures, percentages, areas, volumes, etc.
• Solve practical problems and interpret instructions in written, oral, or diagram form.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job description recognizes that reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role. The job entails:
• Regularly required to sit, stand and walk.
• Lift/move objects weighing up to 10 pounds
• May spend time in the field and experience exposure to Florida outdoor weather conditions.
• Use of hands for various tasks.
• Visual abilities include close and color vision and peripheral and depth perception.
• Noise level in the work environment is typically moderate.
BENEFITS: Benefits include Healthcare insurance, including medical, dental, and vision. Life insurance, 401k program, telemedicine, and short and long-term disability. Paid time off includes 12 days vacation, four days personal leave, 8.5 days holiday, and up to 12 days sick leave per year. The Finance office is on our beautiful campus next to the Gordon River Greenway. Employees receive complimentary kayak usage and eco-cruise tickets, discounts in our Welcome Center store, and staff membership, including reciprocal benefits with other Nature Centers.