Conservation Programs Mgr

Since its inception, the Walt Disney Company has worked to connect people with the natural world and inspire them to take conservation action in their own lives. Walt Disney once said, “Facts can be as fascinating as fiction, truth as beguiling as myth, and [we] have opened the eyes of young and old to the beauties of the outdoor world and aroused their desire to conserve priceless natural assets.” Today, that legacy is carried on by Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment and the Disney Conservation Fund. Together, these teams work to conserve wildlife and wild places around the world by supporting and partnering with conservation organizations and leading conservation programs in our own backyard at Disney properties worldwide.

The Bahamas Conservation Programs Manager role primarily supports implementation of the environmental management plan and local conservation strategies at Disney Lookout Cay at Light House Point on the island of Eleuthera and secondarily supports conservation work at Disney Castaway Cay and more broadly in The Bahamas. The focus of the role is to support native wildlife conservation, research, and outreach programs. Preference will be given to Bahamian candidates.

This role is based at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on Eleuthera.

Responsibilities

• Manage operational logistics of conservation programs, including, but not limited to, equipment maintenance, equipment organization, training, scheduling, data collection, and event preparation and execution

• Design, oversee, and conduct field-based conservation projects to uphold Disney’s commitment to conservation through interactions with contractors, community members, cast/crew/employees and guests on-site

• Work with conservation leaders (internal and external to Disney) and diverse teams to drive conservation strategies, analyze data, author scientific and popular science articles, and present results at relevant meetings and professional conferences

• Foster local and global collaborations with stakeholders and conservation organizations to advance strategic priorities

• Oversee data management and reporting, including but not limited to oversight of electronic data collection tools, input and review data, video review, literature searches, and database management

• Manage permitting requirements

• Create and manage a budget for relevant programs

• Represent Disney’s commitment to the environment within The Bahamas and serve as a spokesperson for our collective efforts for people, wildlife and the planet

• Conduct terrestrial biodiversity surveys and monitor target species through a variety of methods (e.g., camera traps, acoustic monitoring, bird point counts and banding, nest monitoring, radio telemetry, insect collection), with a current focus on protected plants, birds, bats, aerial insects, and land crabs (note: focal species may change through time)

• Conduct marine biodiversity surveys through a variety of methods (e.g., Atlantic Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment, seagrass surveys, photomosaics, sea turtle surveys, marine mammal monitoring) and assist with coral and sponge rehabilitation and relocation

• Support strategies to build conservation capacity from early childhood to early career working with local schools and nonprofit organization partners

• Lead a culture of inclusion and belonging within the team and across interactions with collaborators and community members

• Oversee the daily activities of a Conservation Programs Assistant Manager and manage onboarding, training and development to support professional growth

Basic Qualifications:

• General knowledge of Bahamian natural history and specialization in an area of focus for the site (e.g., plants, birds, corals)

• Experience with terrestrial or marine fieldwork

• Outstanding ability to work well within a team setting and coordinate the activities of team members

• Ability to professionally represent Disney Conservation when interacting with internal and external partners

• Effective communication skills, including excellent outreach/guest interaction/public speaking skills

• Proven flexibility in dynamic work environments

• Demonstrated effective organization and time-management skills to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines; organizational skills with superior attention to detail

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Products

• Experience entering, managing, and analyzing data

• Ability to endure heat, humidity, biting insects, equipment failures, and other challenges associated with work in the field on associated conservation projects (e.g., traverse >3 miles in soft sand or thick underbrush)

• Full availability with work schedule, including nights, weekends, holidays and rotating shifts

• Willing to travel, stay, and work in remote areas, alone or with others

• Ability to lift 50 pounds

• Have (or willing/able to obtain) Basic Open Water SCUBA/AGRRA certification

• Possess (or willing/able to obtain) a valid Bahamian driver's license and passport

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with terrestrial conservation with a particular emphasis on birds or experience with marine conservation with a particular emphasis on corals

• Two years outreach/engagement experience associated with natural sciences

• Publication of at least one scientific publication (first author preferred)

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree or demonstrable evidence of exceptional ability

Preferred Education:

• Masters of Science degree in one of the natural science

Additional Information

• This position will be based in Eleuthera, The Bahamas and required to be on-site for a designated number of days each week.

• This position will occasionally travel within The Bahamas based on business need.

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