Madison, WI

Position Title: Director of Lakeshore Nature Preserve

Organization: University of Wisconsin- Madison

Location: Madison, WI

Organization Overview: The University of Wisconsin-Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve is a 300-acre natural area situated on the south shore of Lake Mendota on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. It represents approximately one-third of the total acreage of the main UW-Madison campus and includes 12 miles of hiking trails, 4.3 miles of Lake Mendota shoreline and is the ancestral home of the Ho-Chunk Nation.

Part of the mission of the Preserve is to serve as a living classroom laboratory for the teaching and research needs of the UW-Madison as well as a place of respite for campus and community members alike to explore nature on the UW-Madison campus.

Position Overview: The Lakeshore Nature Preserve Director (Preserve) serves a crucial role in leading the development and management of Preserve building and grounds, in addition to facilitating an expanding role in responding to academic needs, responding to non-University partners and generating private financial support. The Preserve Director supervises Preserve staff and reports to the Director of the Office of Sustainability.

The Preserve Director works collaboratively with members of the Preserve Committee, members of the Office of Sustainability (OS) team, as well as stakeholders from a mix of administrative and academic units across UW-Madison, as well as community, state and federal partners and community collaborators, especially with the Ho-Chunk Nation.

The Lakeshore Nature Preserve, as part of the UW-Madison Office of Sustainability, strives to facilitate environmental learning and responsibility into their thriving campus culture, their world-class educational and research enterprises, and their practice of operational excellence. The Preserve and OS team share a common desire to solve problems, address environmental issues and injustices, and seek out opportunities for success and collaboration.

Duties: 

• Leads the overall strategic direction and vision by working with Preserve staff, the Preserve Committee, additional stakeholders and FPM leadership.
• Leads development and audits operating budgets, policies, and procedures to comply with regulations, institution policies and business.
• Coordinates fund develop efforts, including grants, awards, and fundraising efforts and working with the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association.
• Provides leadership, supervision, and professional direction for the Preserve’s building and land management/restoration operations, outreach and programing efforts.
• Develops processes and procedures to improve Preserve operations.
• Cultivates relationships with students, university and research professionals, donors, outside contractors, visitors and external organizations, especially the Ho-Chunk Nation.
• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, discipling, and/or approving hours worked for at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
• Determines and directs standards for the Lakeshore Nature Preserve including facility management and programing, risk management and safety protocols.
• Serves as subject matter expert and liaison to internal and external stakeholders.

Assists with the planning and direction for multiple administrative operations of a division or large business unit(s) of the institution to advance program goals and objectives.

• 15% Engages in strategic planning and policies to ensure the strategic direction supports the needs of stakeholders
• 15% Evaluates, designs, and implements operations to align with the strategic direction
• 15% Establishes goals and priorities for the annual budget for all revenues and expenditures
• 15% Serves as the unit liaison to internal and external stakeholder groups providing organizational information and representing the interests of the unit
• 10% Ensures that policies, procedures, and standards are maintained and develops processes and procedures to improve the unit
• 10% Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
• 20% Facilitates and administers educational and research programming within the Lakeshore Nature Preserve.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Preferred focus in ecology, natural resources management, forestry, conservation biology, environmental science or related field of study.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience working in natural resource management and land management and programing with increasing responsibility and supervision experience.
• Knowledge of and experience working in the field of ecological restoration and natural resources management, botany, horticulture, or related field.
• Knowledge of and experience with identification of regional native and non-native plants, weed control techniques, and cultural requirements.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds and serving the needs of diverse populations.
• Strong oral, written and listening communications skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships and to build partnerships.
• Ability to perform heavy manual tasks including lifting (~50 lb), standing, bending, stooping, twisting, squatting, kneeling, and other motions for extended periods of time.
• Must possess within 12 months of hiring Certified Arborist designation with the International Society of Arboriculture.
• Must possess basic certification as wildland fire crew member through completion of National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) courses S130, S190, I100, or be willing to obtain within 12 months of hiring.
• Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Certification: Must possess First Aid/CPR/AED certification, or be willing to obtain within 6 months of hiring.
• Pesticide Applicator – State Licensure: Must possess a commercial pesticide applicator license for Forestry or Landscape pest control, or be willing to obtain within 6 months of hiring.
• Drivers License – Valid and Meets UW Risk Management Standards

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree
• Preferred focus in ecology, natural resources management, forestry, conservation biology, environmental science or related field of study.
• Applied experience with Midwest plants and ecosystems and restoration and land management and programing, or related fields.
• Experience within Higher Education or in institutional or governmental facilities.
• Familiarity with higher education organizational structure including Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Development, Research, Legal, and Finance and Administration.
• Experience working with shared governance groups, including faculty, staff, and student groups, student government, and student organizations.

Salary/Pay: Minimum $80,000 annually, depending on qualifications

Application Deadline: April 17, 2024

How to Apply: Please use the online application to view the full job description as well as how to apply.