posted 3.31.08

Mesoamerica Program Manager

LightHawk, a nonprofit environmental aviation organization operating in North and Central America, is seeking a US-based Mesoamerica Program Manager to support our conservation efforts in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.

Position Summary
The Mesoamerica Program Manager (“PM”) works with LightHawk's conservation partners and volunteer pilots in Mexico and Central America to develop, coordinate, support, track and report on high-quality environmental flight missions, under the supervision of the Director of Programs (“Director”). The purpose of these flights is to advance lasting solutions to pressing environmental problems throughout the region. The PM will direct LightHawk’s efforts in Central America and Mexico, with an eye towards sustainability and collaboration.

The PM must be fluent in both Spanish and English, and be knowledgeable about cultural as well as environmental issues and organizations throughout the region. An understanding of general aviation is preferred, but not essential.

Program Managers provide assistance and information to LightHawk’s development team in order to increase support from foundations and individuals, and contribute to the development of external communication pieces. The PM provides support to and communication with volunteer pilots who work in the region. In addition, the PM carries out regional planning and financial management responsibilities as needed.

Where is the Job Located?
This is a full-time, salaried position for applicants living within the southern US, preferably in a location with convenient airline access to Central American and Mexican destinations. It is a home-based position, so a home office is required. This position reports to LightHawk’s Director of Programs, located in Boulder, Colorado.

The Rewards of this Job
This job is not for everyone, but the right person will be rewarded with the opportunity to work on some of the most important conservation initiatives and issues throughout Mexico and Central America. In addition, the position offers some travel opportunities in the region, and the chance to work with an extraordinary group of volunteer pilots, co-workers, and dedicated colleagues in the environmental field.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Screening or initiating flight requests;
• Designating volunteer pilots to fly the missions;
• Coordinating schedules for flights with partners and pilots;
• Initiating communications between pilots and partners;
• Educating our conservation partners about the best use of flights, including passenger selection, scheduling and communications, and pre- and post-flight briefings and materials;
• Coordinating travel and lodging for pilots as needed;
• Pre-approving reimbursable pilot expenses, and submitting pilot requests for reimbursement;
• Providing ground support as needed on flight days;
• Conducting post-flight follow-up and reporting, in accordance with internal record-keeping procedures.

Duties include the following:

• Managing volunteer pilot paperwork for permissions (in each country), including in-country and overflight permits for LightHawk aircraft and VP-owned aircraft;
• Complying with international aviation and customs procedures;
• Reporting to Civil Aviation (daily schedule updates) in some countries, as required;
• Managing a small LightHawk bank account for the purpose of facilitating operations during flights and travel in Latin America;
• Facilitating fuel and aircraft-related vendor relationships for Latin American operations;
• Working with LightHawk finance office to coordinate payments for Latin American vendors;
• Supporting volunteer pilots working in Mesoamerica; coordinating cash advancements and reimbursements; commercial flight arrangements, housing/lodging, transportation, maintenance and other logistical needs;
• Willingness to be available beyond regular working hours while plane and pilots are in Mesoamerica.

PMs also train partners in LightHawk’s methods and reporting requirements, assist partners with flight planning and execution, including advising the partner (when appropriate) on passenger selection, scheduling and communications, and pre- and post-flight briefing and discussion approaches and materials. PMs provide support to our partners in such things as integrating flights with ground events and developing technical missions involving aerial photography, the media, or wildlife surveillance.

Volunteer Pilot Support and Outreach (10%)
Every LightHawk mission is flown by a qualified volunteer pilot who donates his or her time, and in some cases, the airplane and fuel needed to conduct a flight. You will need to continually and enthusiastically represent LightHawk to our volunteers, since you will be their primary point of contact with the organization. This requires that you maintain regular contact with the volunteer pilots working in your region, respond to their inquiries, keep track of their availability and plans, and seek their help recruiting new volunteer pilots when needed.

Fundraising and Communications (10%)
While others at LightHawk have primary responsibility for fundraising and preparing written communications, we look to our program managers to help us build on existing relationships and identify and cultivate new sources of funding. PMs help review and develop funding proposals and reports, and assist with regional donor events as needed. PMs also contribute content for internal and external publications, and serve as a resource for reporters, filmmakers and others working on LightHawk-related stories.

Requirements:

• University-level fluency in both Spanish and English (verbal and written)
• A minimum of three years experience working with environmental issues and organizations in Central America and/or Mexico. We will give preference to those with the broadest geographical experience within the region.
• Exceptional interpersonal and “team player” skills
• A strong interest in LightHawk’s mission and methods
• Ability to work from a home-based office environment. You will need to supply your own personal computer, high-speed internet connection, phone, and cell phone; however, LightHawk does reimburse specified office expenses.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, set priorities, meet deadlines, and work with high degree of accuracy
• Computer competency, including use of word processing, email, spreadsheets and databases
• Excellent bi-lingual written and verbal communication skills (communications/ publications experience a plus)
• Project management experience, including c omplex event planning, and/or logistics management
• Demonstrated success in outreach work and program building
• Experience working with volunteers
• Experience with general aviation (GA), aircraft, and/or pilots would be beneficial
• Experience with collaborations and/or coalitions
• Because weather often dictates flight scheduling, flexibility and willingness to be on call or work evenings and weekends, as needed
• Ability to travel for 2-4 days at a time, several times per year
• Minimum of a B.A / B.S. degree, or equivalent experience

Compensation
This is a full-time salaried position. The starting pay range for this position is $37,000 to $40,000 annually, depending on both location and experience. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and long-term disability coverage, annual vacation and sick leave, 401K plan, and reasonable scheduling flexibility.

How to Apply
We expect to fill this position as soon as we find a suitable candidate. We will conduct one or more initial interviews for qualified candidates by phone, and will invite finalists to in-person interviews. Qualified applicants should email an English-language cover letter, resume, and contact information for at least 3 references to: kfoster@lighthawk.org.

The email subject line should say: Mesoamerica Program Manager -- plus your last name. Due to the volume of interested applicants, we ask that you not telephone our offices about the position unless specifically invited to do so for an interview.

About LightHawk
LightHawk is a nonprofit environmental aviation organization. As such, we are an unusual hybrid: our mission is environmental but our specialty is using aviation to catalyze positive change. Founded in 1979, we are the largest and oldest volunteer-based environmental aviation organization in North America. We have completed thousands of flight missions involving over 1000 donated flights each year for hundreds of Conservation Partner organizations.

LightHawk is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization incorporated in the state of Colorado. Although our logistical headquarters is in Lander, Wyoming, we are a virtual organization and employ field staff throughout our areas of operation:

• Rocky Mountains: ID, MT, WY, CO, UT, AZ, NV, NM, limited operations in AB and BC
• Pacific: CA, OR, WA, limited operations: AK, coastal BC, Baja California
• Eastern: CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, portions of VA and FL, and the Bahamas
• Latin America: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama

LightHawk is an equal opportunity employer.