Overview
The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.
Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.
Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.
Position Summary
The Manager, Public Programs will play a lead role in the development, execution, and delivery of programs that drive attendance, expand the guest experience, and grow and diversify the audience at the Audubon Center at Debs Park. The Public Programs Manager will be responsible for the development, implementation, and delivery of innovative programs that support and align with the Center’s conservation, educational, and public programs and with Audubon California and National strategies and initiatives. This position is a supervisory position that reports to the Center Director.
Additionally, they will work with the Center Director to expand the center’s flagship programs around youth conservation leadership and development. The Public Programs Manager must be a strategic thinker, skilled at building internal and external partnerships, and an effective communicator with diverse audiences (youth, policymakers, families, and conservation partners).
This position is on-site at the Audubon California – Debs Park Center, Los Angeles, CA.
Compensation:
$68,000 / year
Essential Functions
- Research and develop programs that forge closer connections to the local community, increasing access to, awareness of, interest in, and appreciation for Debs Park and Audubon.
- Cultivate existing collaborations and forge new programmatic partnerships with cultural organizations and community groups.
- Serve as the Center’s lead for audience-driving events and public programs.
- Lead the growth and development of events and public programs, increasing annual visits through guest-centric and mission-aligned events and programs.
- Manage, book, and cultivate community group tours and education opportunities.
- Build partnerships with schools, other Community Based Organizations, and city departments to support Debs’ mission.
- Represent the Audubon Center at Debs Park in community events, local mission driven board opportunities and speaking engagements.
- Develop appropriate outreach strategies, and partner with staff to ensure effective promotion of programs using both print and electronic media.
- Write and create content for newsletters, socials, and other media.
- Develop and track metrics to measure effectiveness of public engagement offerings.
- Work with Center Director to drive paid special events and programs, by planning, organizing, and executing events.
- Participate in fundraising, new initiatives, and overall growth of Audubon’s profile.
- Manage volunteer programs. Assess the need for volunteers to enhance programs and services.
- Deliver, develop, and implement goals and objectives for the volunteer programs which reflect the mission of the Audubon Center.
- Manage program staff which includes interns and the Senior Education Coordinator.
- Role model mission and cultivate a culture of workplace excellence while implementing program goals and objectives.
- In partnership with Center Director, establish and oversee program budget that drives revenue and implements ratios for programs; coordinate staff to fulfill needs for program facilitator/lead and implement strategic plan and goals.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, natural studies, or related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered
- 5+ years’ experience working with education or engagement programs with diverse populations. Experience in event and program creation, training, and management preferred.
- Knowledge of current trends in nature centers, education, museum, or cultural attraction programming
- Experience managing budgets, including profit, loss and measuring program metrics.
- Proven competence managing program logistics, staff, and volunteers
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to oversee and mentor professional staff while working effectively in a team-based environment.
- Clear track record of success in program development roles a must – demonstrated experience taking ideas from concept to design to execution and linking objectives and outcomes to strategic goals.
- Proven experience in networking, engaging, and successfully cultivating diverse community partners and partnership projects.
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills, and ability to build consensus among a wide range of individuals. Comfortable presenting and engaging others in public-speaking events.
- Demonstrated experience overseeing complex or multiple projects through to success, including meeting financial goals, project deadlines, and coordinating the work of key staff and partners.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, judgment, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate and build coalitions.
- Technically savvy, having proficiency with Microsoft Office suite applications and comfort using web-based engagement systems.
- Willingness to travel, including some occasional out-of-state travel.
- Able to work a Sunday to Thursday schedule and comfort working evenings and weekends as job responsibilities demand.
- Direct experience in Los Angeles is highly desirable, particularly with northeast Los Angeles
- Bilingual a plus (English and Spanish)
EEO Statement
The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.
Accessibility Statement
The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
COVID Policy
All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.