Chief Conservation Officer

Company: Austin Peay State University
Location: Clarksville
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Position Summary Austin Peay State University’s ( APSU ) Southeastern Grasslands Institute ( SGI ) invites applications for the SGI Chief Conservation Officer ( CCO ) position. This is a full-time, non-tenure track position. The CCO will be the primary lead for all of SGI’s science and conservation programs across a 24-state region. This position will lead development and strategic planning for SGI’s science and conservation programs, provide upper-level management and technical assistance to program directors, cultivate and manage partnerships and coalitions, and lead efforts to inform federal and state conservation policy. The CCO will be expected to fundraise through private philanthropy and government grants, travel extensively to provide science support to remotely-based team members and meet with partners, publish research, and promote grassland conservation via public speaking and other communications. The CCO will report directly to SGI’s Executive Director and will serve as part of SGI’s executive leadership team.

Keywords: Austin Peay State University, Owensboro , Chief Conservation Officer, Science, Research & Development , Clarksville, Kentucky