The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), founded in 1902, represents North America’s Fish and Wildlife agencies. It promotes sound management and conservation, and speaks with a collective voice on important fish and wildlife issues. The Association is a nonprofit, 501(c)(6) trade association. See www.fishwildlife.org for more information. 

Project WILD is AFWA’s K-12 Wildlife Education Program.  Previously run by the Council for Environmental Education (CEE), Project WILD and its related brands (e.g., Flying WILD, Growing Up WILD) have brought conservation educational programs to more than 50,000 educators per year, promoting responsible stewardship of natural resources in the United States and several other countries.  See www.projectwild.org for more information. 

The Project WILD Director oversees all aspects of the AFWA Project WILD program including management of the Project WILD staff, Coordination with Project WILD State Coordinators, and stewardship of existing Project WILD brands.  Responsible for inspiring and leading Project WILD's diverse audiences, developing new learning platforms, and addressing contemporary needs in wildlife education associated with emerging pressures on wildlife populations.   

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DUTIES: 

The successful candidate will utilize the strengths of Project WILD to address the core goals of AFWA. 

Manages Project WILD Staff and offices, currently located in Houston, TX and Austin, TX.   

Supports Project WILD program coordinators to address their needs and maximize the impact of programs. 

Works with potential partners, preferably State Fish and Wildlife Agencies, in states where there is no Project WILD Program with the objective of creating one.

Manages Annual Meeting of State Coordinators.

Provides strong stewardship of all Project WILD programs and brands.  Oversees publishing and sale of products.  Manages curriculum updates and revisions consistent with Project WILD and AFWA values and objectives. 

Ensures that the Project WILD curricula is correlated to national education standards. 

Raises operating funds from partners, foundations, individuals and government entities with shared objectives and values. 

Develops and manages Project WILD’s budget, ensuring year to year sustainability of the program. 

Works collaboratively with other AFWA Program Managers to ensure that Project WILD Curricula are properly aligned with AFWA positions. 

Works with appropriate AFWA leadership, keeping them informed of key metrics and seeking their input into program direction. 

Cooperates with National Coordinators of Project Learning Tree and Project WET to ensure a consistent conservation message across the projects. 

Travel 25 – 40 %.

Other Duties as Assigned.

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QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience or familiarity with state fish and Wildlife agencies.

Experience or familiarity with Project WILD or other national level formal and informal education systems, models and training. 

Demonstrated business acumen and fundraising experience.

Strong technology skills appropriate to developing new delivery strategies and platforms for Project WILD. 

Experience successfully managing staff, especially those located in satellite offices.

Degree in Wildlife Management, Conservation Education, Business, Publishing or Education preferred.