Director of Sustainability and Conservation

Director of Sustainability and Conservation

The Director of Sustainability and Conservation is a full-time, exempt position with EarthCorps. The primary responsibility of this role is to lead the development and execution of large-scale, science-based conservation initiatives and strategies, and guide the planning and implementation of projects that provide meaningful training, workforce development, and leadership opportunities for young adults. The Director works closely with the Executive Director, senior management, and external partners to advance ecological restoration, habitat preservation, climate resilience, and environmental workforce development initiatives that align with EarthCorps' mission and long-term sustainability goals. The Director role is key to our conservation corps program delivery, and project development that supports experiential learning and cultivates the next generation of environmental leaders.

This position serves as a visible and engaged leader of EarthCorps' conservation and field services operations, maintaining a regular presence alongside staff, project partners, and field programs throughout the Puget Sound region; it requires a leader who can build and steward high-level strategic partnerships, identify and develop new conservation and restoration opportunities, cultivate funding and earned-income opportunities, and guide the organization's conservation efforts with a vision for the future. The Director oversees a talented team of Ecologists, Project Managers, and Operational staff and reports directly to the Executive Director.

Roles and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Resource Development- 50%

• Lead the development and implementation of EarthCorps' conservation and sustainability initiatives, ensuring alignment with the organization's strategic goals.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including federal, state, and local agencies, tribal organizations, NGOs, academic institutions, and private sector partners.
• Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships that advance conservation outcomes, expand organizational impact, and create new funding and advancement opportunities for EarthCorps.
• Secure and sustain at least $2 million in annual revenue for EarthCorps' conservation and sustainability portfolio through public contracts, government grants, RFPs, fee-for-service projects, strategic partnerships, and other revenue-generating opportunities, in close coordination with the Development and Finance teams.
• Represent EarthCorps in local, state, and federal conservation initiatives, advocating for green jobs and land management policies.
• Advance environmentally responsible field and organizational operations by identifying and implementing practical improvements to equipment, materials, purchasing, waste reduction, and internal practices that reduce EarthCorps' environmental impact and reflect its conservation values.

Oversight of Field Programming & Infrastructure - 20%

• Oversee the design, execution, and monitoring of large-scale habitat restoration and climate resilience projects, ensuring that both ecological and community goals are met.
• Collaborate with internal teams to assess and track the effectiveness of conservation initiatives, making data-driven adjustments to improve project outcomes.
• Partner with the Program Director to develop the annual Field and Training Calendar, ensuring that project planning integrates ecological outcomes, training objectives, participant experience, hard-skills development, adaptive leadership practice, and pathways to environmental careers.
• Develop systems for tracking project progress and reporting on key outcomes to stakeholders, funders, and the public.
• Provide strategic oversight of field operations infrastructure, including vehicles, equipment, facilities, and related systems, ensuring field teams have the resources necessary to operate safely, effectively, and efficiently.

Team Leadership and Development - 20%

• Supervise, mentor, and support the Ecologists, Project Managers, and Shop Manager team members, providing leadership, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Ensure the successful management of field-based projects, including planning, performance evaluations, and project execution.

Organizational Engagement and Strategic Vision - 10%

• Actively participate as a member of EarthCorps' senior leadership team, providing strategic insight and leadership across all programs and initiatives.
• Contribute to the organization's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, both within the workplace and in external engagements.
• Co-lead the Risk Management Committee, ensuring that conservation initiatives are aligned with EarthCorps' sustainability and risk management practices.
• Support organizational growth by identifying and leading new strategic opportunities in conservation and sustainability.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Restoration Ecology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Studies, Forestry, Fisheries, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Policy, Geography, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in conservation, ecological restoration, environmental management, natural resources, climate resilience, watershed management, or a related field, including responsibility for leading environmental projects, programs, or teams.
• Strong applied Project management experience/ skills, with demonstrated ability to develop and implement organizational, programmatic, or conservation strategies that advance mission impact, organizational sustainability, and long-term growth.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Pacific Northwest ecosystems, ecological processes, native plant communities, habitat restoration practices, and regional conservation challenges; working familiarity with Washington State natural resource management priorities, watershed health, climate resilience, and habitat conservation initiatives.
• Demonstrated success building and managing partnerships with public agencies, tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, community-based organizations, and private sector partners.
• Demonstrated experience identifying, developing, and securing funding opportunities, including grants, contracts/fee-for-service projects, or other revenue-generating partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement organizational, programmatic, or conservation strategies that advance mission impact, organizational sustainability, and long-term growth
• Demonstrated experience leading, supervising, mentoring, and developing professional staff and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or developing young adults in a conservation corps program, AmeriCorps program, youth development program, service-learning program, or a similar model that combines community impact with youth leadership and workforce development.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including experience representing an organization with external partners, funders, community stakeholders, and public agencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Policy, Public Administration, or a related field, or equivalent advanced professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with federal, state, tribal, or local government agencies in the Pacific Northwest (e.g.: the Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment, King County Parks Department, or similar agencies) and familiarity with regional conservation priorities, restoration practices, permitting, funding, and partnership frameworks.
• Experience serving in a senior leadership role within a nonprofit, public agency, conservation organization, or mission-driven organization.
• Experience managing government-funded programs and contracts, including federal, state, tribal, and local funding sources.