The Conservation Administrative Assistant will provide a full range of administrative and/or program support to the Conservation Program of the Minnesota-North Dakota-South Dakota (Tri-State) Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Work will be based in the Conservancy’s Minneapolis office, and will support the Chapter’s Assistant State Director and a conservation program with staff located across the three states. Central to this position is managing and tracking administrative processes in Conservation, including meetings, travel, research permits, contracts, grants, and proposals, and procedures affecting the lands the Conservancy acquires, owns and manages. May serve as administrative backup for other departments. This is a part-time, 18-20 hours per week position and includes paid sick, holiday and vacation days.
The Conservation Administrative Assistant will perform various administrative tasks, including some or all of the following: organizing and maintaining files, purchasing, maintaining equipment, and working with vendors. They may handle domestic and international travel arrangements and calendar for supervisor. They will schedule and coordinate logistics of meetings and may assist with the coordination of special events. The Assistant may communicate on behalf of the supervisor with internal and external sources, including staff, partners, government officials and donors. They may handle inquiries about program activities and assist in the development of program materials and correspondence. They will use available systems and resources to maintain and track data and produce reports as needed. They will provide other staff with information they need to make decisions and solve problems. They will have frequent interaction with staff throughout the program and in other Conservancy offices, and with vendors.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Does not supervise any staff, but may help plan and direct the work of volunteers or interns;
- Prioritize tasks in the absence of specific instructions and make day-to-day decisions within the scope of work assignments; duties are performed according to instructions or established practices and supervisor will resolve any problems or questions;
- Maintain limited financial responsibility, which may include processing invoices, preparing accounting forms, purchasing, or creating travel expense reports;
- May serve as a team member for assigned projects;
- Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
- Experience managing diverse activities to meet deadlines;
- Experience providing administrative support, including some or all of the following: phones/customer service, mail distribution, equipment maintenance, coordinating travel arrangements and meetings, and organizing electronic and paper files;
- Experience working and communicating in English with a wide range of people; and
- Experience writing, editing, and proofreading written materials.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experiences are appreciated;
- Ability to analyze available information for the purpose of preparing reports and solving problems;
- Database skills;
- Familiarity with standard business communications;
- Excellent customer service skills and focus; and/or
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.