The Washington Chapter of The Nature Conservancy is deeply engaged in large-scale forest restoration in the Central Cascades region. As part of this work, The Nature Conservancy manages 45,000 acres of forest in the Cle Elum area, where we are working with community and conservation partners to reconnect and restore fragmented forest so that it can provide improved wildlife habitat, water quality, recreation access, and local natural resource-based jobs.
The Central Cascades Community Coordinator will develop and maintain grass-roots community relationships critical to the ongoing management and stewardship of The Nature Conservancy’s forestland in the Central Cascades region. They will work with the Conservancy’s conservation programs team to implement public access and recreation plans for the Conservancy’s Central Cascades Forest project. They will work directly with recreation groups and conservation partners to coordinate uses on the Central Cascades Forest, including issuing permits, developing volunteer restoration projects, and informing the public of any changes to access and use opportunities. They will communicate directly with local media, represent The Nature Conservancy in local community meetings, and engage in local planning processes that are relevant to the management The Nature Conservancy’s forest holdings in the region. They will engage with local elected officials and tribal partners, staff a steering committee of local Conservancy members, and build the Conservancy’s visibility in the Central Cascades region. They will also manage the Conservancy’s office in Cle Elum.
The Central Cascades Community Coordinator will coordinate the interests of local recreation groups, conservation partners, tribal partners, community leaders, and local elected officials to achieve The Nature Conservancy’s long-term goals of accelerated forest restoration. Essential functions include:
Develop and Steward Community Partnerships (50%)
- Build, develop, and maintain robust grass-roots community partnerships with a diverse array of constituents that advance the Conservancy’s conservation priorities, including representing the Conservancy on various committees related to the nearby Teanaway Community Forest.
- Coordinate and steward a team of local volunteers to assist with outreach, leading hikes, and implementing on-the-ground restoration projects, in partnership with agencies and other non-profits.
- Work with the Conservancy’s marketing, philanthropy, and government relations teams to help identify new opportunities for local engagement, develop media opportunities, and elevate the Conservancy’s profile in local communities.
Coordinate Public Access to Conservancy-managed Forestland (20%)
- Implement the Conservancy’s recreation and public access plan by working to promote awareness, share information, and distribute materials that clarify Conservancy rules and policies, including maps, brochures, and signage.
- Coordinate law enforcement on Conservancy land to ensure access policies are enforced.
- Develop and coordinate a network of local volunteer land stewards who provide “eyes in the woods” to help implement and enforce the Conservancy’s policies.
- Develop a working knowledge of the TNC-managed land in Central Washington, which may include assisting with field tasks and activities.
Communications, Marketing and Operations (20%)
- Develop and distribute materials that advance and promote key Conservancy priorities.
- Manage the Conservancy’s Office in Cle Elum and the fleet of local vehicles.
- Support facilities and volunteer management in the Conservancy’s Wenatchee Field Office (e.g. Hunter Steward Program and Moses Coulee Field Station).
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Level of Position: This is a mid-level position that collaborates with internal and external senior staff to accomplish conservation priorities.
- Coordinates community-based partnerships and volunteer engagement.
- Supervises no staff but will help plan and direct the work of volunteers, members, partners, and interns. Within the scope of the position, the Central Cascades Community Coordinator will:
- Work with local communities across the Central Cascades, i.e. Cle Elum, Roslyn, Ellensburg, Leavenworth, Wenatchee and Yakima.
- Manage a network of diverse community relationships to further the Conservancy’s long-term goals in the region.
- Manage and plan events, tours, and field trips.
- Navigate politically complex situations.
- Manage and maintain an office with 4-6 employees, a fleet of 3-4 vehicles, and a network of open and locked gates on forest roads. Work Environment and Schedule
- Position must work from the Cle Elum Field Office.
- Position will include periodic travel to the Seattle and Wenatchee business office (sometimes overnight).
- May require working extended and/or varied work hours, including some evenings and weekends.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Experience with community engagement around natural resource management issues.
- Experience presenting to and communicating with local elected officials, government staff, and/or community leaders.
- Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
- Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Must have valid driver's license or ability to obtain one prior to starting the position.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.
- Knowledge and understanding of local communities, including good local relationships in the Central Cascades.
- Self-starting, independent worker with strong organizational skills and attention to detail who can thrive in a decentralized organization.
- Strong interpersonal skills and willingness to listen to and engage constructively with constituents with a wide variety of views and opinions.
- Relationship building skills to work closely a variety of partners, i.e., media, government officials, internal scientists.
- Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating communication and engagement plans and strategies.
- Professional, positive, and approachable demeanor with a can-do approach to solving complex problems.
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Experience managing staff or volunteers
- Experience navigating forest roads in summer and winter conditions.
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.
Full-time position; $48,000 - $53,000 annually, DOE