Personality: The Program Manager must be a highly motivated individual who is a natural leader that fosters collaboration and partnership; must be a planner who is deadline driven seeking to gain a high level of performance in the field of conservation; and must be able to enjoy working with people and being in the field as much as documenting and reporting on program achievements and/or data. The “desk” work must be as important as the field work. Stewarding the land must be as important as stewarding the funders.  This person must value working with partners face to face and over the phone or via email after relationships have been firmly established.

Essential Function: It will be essential for the Program Manager to assure all components of grant contracts, habitat management and public access plans, partnership agreements and contracts, and teacher agreements for adventures programs are met to the standard agreed on and delivered on time. A vital role will be modeling for Eco-Art Educators and Habitat Specialists professional standards of program delivery, delegating to Eco-Art Educators and Habitat Specialists clearly and concisely so they are accountable and responsible for various program goals, and assuring a high level of standard is met for all components of the program that maintains and fosters Artist Boat’s reputation.

Key Responsibilities

• Carries out the initiatives of the Executive Director and Board of Directors in accordance with the strategic plan and leads Artist Boat in fulfilling its mission to promote awareness and preservation of coastal margins and the marine environment through the disciplines of the sciences and the arts.
• Assures compliance with USACE and other permitting agencies for all projects requiring permits.
• Manages, coordinates, designs, implements and delivers programs funded by grants or partners to restore habitat (wetlands, dunes, and prairies); designs and implements habitat management and public access plans for Artist Boat lands and partner lands (county, city, and individuals); and establish mechanisms for volunteers to participate in leadership roles to foster stewardship of coastal ecosystems.
• Foster, maintain, and grow relationships with the Artist Boat partners, including other non-profit organizations, schools and school districts, funding agencies, local businesses, consultants, legislators, city and county governments, property owner associations, parks departments and boards, federal agencies, property owner associations, and others.
• Directly supervises the design, implementation, and delivery of Habitat Restoration and Stewardship programming.
• Directly supervises Eco-Art Educators working on Habitat Restoration, Stewardship.
• Directly maintains relationships with partners from the estuary program to corporate partners engaged in conservation and restoration on Galveston Bay and Beaches.
• Directly responsible for all tasks associated with due diligence and transaction assistance for the full formation of the 1,200 acre Coastal Heritage Preserve currently at 548 acres.
• Responsible for all components of safety as it relates to the Habitat Restoration and Stewardship programs.
• Reviews and evaluate the results of the Habitat Restoration and Stewardship Programs’ activities and program staff; assists and recommends allocation of resources for program effectiveness and efficiency, supervises Eco-Art Educator’s daily tasks and time management goals; and assists in development of organizational and program policies regarding the Habitat Restoration and Stewardship Programs.
• Manages and develops grant applications for habitat restoration and stewardship programming.
• Assures collection and record keeping of statistical data on demographics of the Habitat Restorations and Stewardship Programs.
• Oversees the design and installation of schoolyard habitat enhancement and oversees progress of staff members delivering the program.
• Is willing and able to drive own vehicle to destinations through out the Galveston Bay region.
• Is able to drive a standard truck and tow kayak and / or habitat trailers and tranin others to do so.
• Is able to be comfortable in the field alone leading groups of 10 -15 participants by foot, vessel, or kayak.
• Is able to utilize personal cell phone to communicate with co-workers, partners, teachers, and some participants in the field.
• Is able to realize Artist Boat’s classrooms and partnerships can be far reaching from Galveston Bay to the Coastal Bend and bays. The last dune restoration target area was over 40 miles long and stretched between two counties.

Requirements: The ideal candidate will posses the following qualifications:

• Bachelors of Science required, advanced degree preferred.
• 2-5 years experience coordinating or managing habitat restoration projects and/or natural resources.
• Experience managing volunteer programs, supervising small to medium-sized teams, coordinating land management projects with various stakeholders, and leading environmental education programs.
• The ability to manage multiple projects with various funding agencies, set timelines, track budgets, and set priorities simultaneously while meeting deadlines and deliverables.
• Exceptional writing and interpersonal skills.
• Experience speaking in front of large groups and audiences with limited scientific training.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite and database management, social media, and experience with ArcGIS.
• The ability to locate, understand, and translate primary scientific literature as it related to Artist Boat’s mission.
• Ability to manage habitat specialists, committees, and volunteers.