About Conservation Innovation Fund

Conservation Innovation Fund (CIF) is a non-profit impact finance firm dedicated to improving sustainability on working agricultural lands. CIF envisions a world where capital and conservation align, pushing the boundaries of environmental finance. CIF harnesses environmental markets to drive quantified conservation outcomes in water, carbon, and biodiversity that align public and corporate sustainability agendas to regenerative agriculture on the ground. CIF blends capital from public financing, philanthropic grant making, and mission-oriented investing to expand market-based solutions to address pressing conservation challenges.

Associate Role
CIF seeks an entrepreneurial, detail-oriented, early-to-mid-career professional to provide project management, research and analysis, operations, and administrative support to a portfolio of conservation finance projects and transactions. Reporting to the Managing Director of Markets, the Associate is an integral member of the CIF team. The Associate supports many of the day-to-day activities and operations of CIF and assists with environmental benefit quantification, partnership management, transactions and negotiations, and business development activities.

Essential Responsibilities

• Quantification and Data Management - Conducts initial environmental benefit quantification of on-farm projects using various models, maintains confidential data, and supports goal setting. 

• Project Management - Ensures timely and high-quality completion of project deliverables. Maintains project management tools and trackers to monitor progress, facilitate team communication, and inform relevant stakeholders.

• Administrative Support - Coordinates and schedules meetings in support of Managing Directors and takes detailed meeting notes. Contributes to fund- and organization-wide process improvements to drive efficient processes and systems by implementing new tools and technologies.

• Water Quality Contracting and Reporting - Collects and maintains information required for funding solicitations and reporting. Reviews and inputs performance data and maintains ownership of data records. Manages funding applications in various funder portals and processes. Prepares written correspondence, proposals, contracts, and assists with relationship management as needed. Keeps electronic and physical files of documents and collateral.
   

Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent work experience, and 2-4 years of professional experience.

• Proven self-starter and creative problem solver with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple work streams concurrently while maintaining a meticulous attention to detail. 

• Experience or deep interest in sustainable agriculture, conservation, green infrastructure, and/or innovative finance. Experience with water quality and carbon modeling tools or field data collection preferred.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to translate messages for a range of audiences.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across multiple teams.

• High level of proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
   

Compensation and Benefits
The salary for this position starts at $60,000 and includes access to employer-sponsored health benefits. Employees also enjoy a flexible work schedule and generous leave policy that balances personal and professional demands within an environment of high performance. CIF offices close for US Federal holidays and during the last week of the calendar year.

Location
This position is based in Washington, DC, with the option to work remotely 3-4 days per week.
 
How To Apply

Please send a resume and cover letter to callan@cifteam.org with the subject line “CIF Associate Application."

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The Conservation Innovation Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District of Columbia and federal laws.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, protected veteran, disability, or other protected status.

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