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Director Conservation Program Jobs in Washington, DC

... Conservation Program (RECP) implementation, and other housing-related financial activities; provide ... direct experience supporting Family Housing (FH), Public-Private Venture (PPV) Housing, and ...

Director, Employee Experience

Reston, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a key bridge-builder of today and tomorrow's conservation movement, the Director, Employee ... Oversee the day-to-day operations of NWF's People programs, ensuring policies and practices are ...

Showing results 41-60

Director Conservation Program information

See Washington, DC salary details

$33.4K

$88.6K

$155.2K

How much do director conservation program jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for director conservation program in Washington, DC is $88,564.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $104,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of conservation program do?

A Director of Conservation Program oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of conservation initiatives within an organization. They are responsible for developing strategies to protect natural resources, managing teams and budgets, collaborating with stakeholders, and ensuring projects align with the organization’s mission. This role often involves fundraising, public outreach, and representing the organization in policy discussions or partnerships to advance conservation goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of conservation program, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Conservation Program, you need expertise in natural resource management, conservation science, and program leadership, typically supported by an advanced degree in environmental science or a related field. Familiarity with GIS software, data analysis tools, grant management systems, and relevant certifications (such as PMP or CSM) is often expected. Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning skills set outstanding candidates apart. These competencies are crucial to effectively lead conservation initiatives, secure funding, and foster partnerships that drive program success.

How does a director of conservation program typically collaborate with other organizations and stakeholders?

Directors of Conservation Programs frequently work in partnership with government agencies, non-profit organizations, community groups, and sometimes private sector stakeholders. Collaboration often involves coordinating joint initiatives, aligning conservation goals, and securing funding or resources for shared projects. Successful directors excel at building relationships, facilitating stakeholder meetings, and navigating diverse perspectives to achieve conservation outcomes. These collaborations are essential for expanding program impact and ensuring long-term sustainability of conservation efforts.

What is the difference between Director Conservation Program vs Conservation Manager?

AspectDirector Conservation ProgramConservation Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple projects, strategic planning, and high-level program developmentManages specific projects, implements strategies, and supervises staff
Required CredentialsBachelor's or master's in environmental science, conservation, or related field; extensive experienceBachelor's degree; experience in conservation or environmental management
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in NGOs, government agencies, or conservation organizationsFieldwork, project sites, and office settings within similar organizations

The Director Conservation Program typically holds a higher strategic and leadership role, overseeing multiple projects and setting organizational goals. In contrast, the Conservation Manager focuses on executing specific projects and managing teams. Both roles require relevant environmental credentials and experience, but the director's scope is broader and more strategic.

What are the most commonly searched types of Conservation Program jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Conservation Program jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Director Conservation Program jobs in Washington, DC?

For Director Conservation Program jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Conservation Program jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Conservation Program jobs in Washington, DC are:

Infographic showing various Director Conservation Program job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, and 15% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $88,564 per year, or $42.6 per hour.

Director of Program Management (External Affairs) IS-1001-14

Smithsonian Institution

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 26 days ago


Smithsonian Institution rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 29 rated museums


Job description

OPEN DATE: July 24, 2026                   
CLOSING DATE: August 13, 2026               
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent   
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC 

Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-Sensitive/Moderate Risk

Who May Apply:

Open to all qualified applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care). 
 
Conditions of Employment
  • Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
  • Complete a Probationary Period.
  • Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
  • The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 
Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) seeks an experienced and results-oriented Director of Program Management (External Affairs) to provide senior operational leadership for advancement and revenue-generating functions. Reporting to the Director of External Affairs, this position oversees the day-to-day operations across gift processing, membership programs, ticketed special events, facility rentals, and earned revenue initiatives that support NZCBI's mission and growth.
The ideal candidate has 8-10 years of experience and is an adept operational leader and collaborative manager with extensive expertise in nonprofit revenue administration, financial oversight, event management, and staff supervision. They excel at translating strategic objectives into efficient administrative and business processes while ensuring compliance with institutional policies. Candidates with a background in project management or chief of staff roles within similar organizations desired.
  • Supervisory Leadership and Workforce Management: Provides full supervisory oversight for professional staff engaged in gift processing, membership operations, events, earned revenue programs, and administrative services. Assigns work, establishes priorities, evaluates performance, and leads workforce planning, recruitment, and professional development to build team capacity.
  • Advancement Operations, Revenue Administration, and Compliance: Oversees operational processes for gift processing, revenue recording, reconciliation, and fund management. Leads data integrity, reporting, and performance measurement activities while ensuring strict adherence to Smithsonian financial, gift, and procurement policies
  • Membership Program Strategy and Management: Provides operational execution and leadership for the NZCBI membership program. Evaluates membership levels, benefits, pricing, and acquisition campaigns, leveraging market analysis and revenue forecasting to drive member growth, retention, and earned revenue.
  • Events and Earned Revenue Program Leadership: Directs the planning, execution, and financial evaluation of ticketed special events, facility rentals, and public programs. Establishes performance metrics, quality controls, and operational standards to maximize profitability and visitor engagement in alignment with NZCBI's brand. 
  • Financial Management, Business Planning, and Procurement: Develops and manages budgets across Advancement, Membership, Events, and Communications teams in coordination with team leads. Leads procurement and contracting processes, manages vendor relationships, conducts financial forecasting, and advises senior leadership on multi-year business strategies.
  • Deep understanding of advancement operations, membership program administration, event revenue models, and financial management in a nonprofit or cultural institution.
  • Proven capability to supervise professional and technical staff, manage performance, assign priorities, and foster team development.
  • Experience in budget formulation, financial forecasting, revenue reconciliation, multi-fund management, and contract/vendor negotiation.
  • Demonstrated skill in managing ticketed events, public programs, market analysis, and operational logistics.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to represent operational priorities, present analytical reports, and ensure compliance with complex organizational and federal policies.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
 
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
  
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
 
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.  
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
 
Relocation expenses are not paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact LaDonnys Biagas (BiagasL@si.edu). Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  To learn more, please review the Smithsonian's Accommodation Procedures. 
 
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo   

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