Senior Associate, Stewardship

About Audubon:

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our plant’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, X and Instagram @audubonsociety.

Position Summary:

The Senior Associate, Stewardship supports Grange Insurance Audubon Center through coordinating a variety of responsibilities related to land management, community science, and community building. They will work closely with the public, community partners, volunteers, and staff to support the Ohio Centers Conservation and Science goals. Duties include coordinating the maintenance of Grange’s grounds through tasks such as invasive plant removal and restoration plantings. This role also oversees community science activities at Grange including bird, plant, and insect surveys and Grange’s MOTUS tower and related activities. They will assist with community building, public outreach, and stewardship activities, as well as supporting the development and implementation of the Ohio Centers’ conservation plans.

This position is classified as on-site base at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center in Colombus, Ohio.

Compensation:
$27.50 - $28.50 / hour

Essential Functions

• Lead Grange’s work toward conservation objectives of Audubon’s Flight Plant and Audubon Great Lake’s strategies at Grange, including invasive species removals and restoration work with native species, etc. including monitoring and maintaining the day-to-day needs of the Center’s land and live roof.

• Collaborate with AGL Science Team to coordinate and lead community science efforts that support Flight Plan and Grange’s Science priorities and Community of Practice best practices including the MOTUS tower and bird, insect and plant surveys, and Columbus Lights Out.

• Collaborate with the Volunteer Coordinator to identify and execute land stewardship and community science opportunities.

• Support Aullwood’s conservation efforts including land management and community science activities, as needed.

• Coordinate interns, externs, student capstone projects, episodic and long-term volunteers, lead volunteer workdays, and determine appropriate tasks while overseeing their conservation and community science on-site work.

• Provide staff and volunteer training to ensure that Audubon’s and Ohio Center’s safety protocols are being followed, monitor for compliance and provide required reporting as needed.

• Coordinate, lead and execute Grange’s Native Plant Backyard Challenge program.

• Maintain, develop and nurture partnerships such as Columbus Audubon, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, GreenSpot, Scioto Audubon Metropark, ODNR and others, which could include representing Grange at partner meetings and effectively communicating insights, updates, and feedback to the Conservation team.

• Support Community Building by designing and delivering conservation-focused programs such as bird hikes, workshops, bird and natural history surveys and other public programming, as well as supporting efforts to integrate messaging around GIAC conservation work into public programs (i.e.,Conservation Classroom, etc.)

• Support in the stewardship and restoration of Aullwood’s woodlands, wetlands and agricultural grasslands, if needed.

• Assist in animal care and husbandry for all center ambassador animals including, but not limited to feeding, cleaning, supply/food ordering, veterinary needs, and record upkeep. 

• Assist with daily operations (opening, closing, covering the front desk, staff on duty) and basic facility needs.

• In collaboration with Conservation leadership and center staff, assist with tracking of grant and project budgets, quarterly billings, and financial reports in close coordination with finance and administrative staff.

• Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.