The Conservation Practitioner I performs and participates in visitor services, outreach events, operations, and maintenance at Nags Head Woods Preserve in northeastern North Carolina.
The Conservation Practitioner I position has a focus on visitor services and outreach events in Nags Head Woods Preserve (Preserve), owned by The Nature Conservancy in northeastern North Carolina. S/he will work closely with conservation staff and partners to provide a meaningful experience for visitors to Nags Head Woods Preserve. S/he will also support conservation staff with ongoing administrative tasks and substantial stewardship activities in the Preserve as needed.
Key projects may include:
Visitor services and environmental outreach (60%):
- Lead hike and open house events for visitors in Nags Head Woods Preserve.
- With staff, learn points of interest along preserve trails as talking points/signs for visitors.
- Develop brochures for visitors.
- Photograph nature sights on the Preserve; assist staff in promoting the Preserve on social media
- Greet visitors, engage in visitor conversation and answer visitor questions.
- Organize and clean kiosk, lobby and other visitor areas to appropriately represent The Nature Conservancy.
- Attend and participate in Coastal Environmental Education Network Meetings (CEEN) or other events.
Preserve Stewardship Support (20%):
- Assist with preserve stewardship projects including invasive plant management, native plant restoration, hiking trail maintenance and other physical outdoor tasks as directed.
- Assist with design and development of fishing platforms.
General Office Support (20%):
- Assist with GIS map making and file management.
- Record visitor logs in Excel.
- Perform additional administrative tasks as directed, including mailings and updating documents.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Will interact with visitors.
- Works under close or infrequent supervision.
- May work in variable weather conditions, in isolated settings, and under minor physically demanding circumstances.
- Requires minor physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Prior work and/or volunteer experience with the public.
- Experience with clear communication skills via written, spoken, and graphical means in English.
- Experienc with organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Experience working effectively in both an independent and team environment.
- Experience following instructions from colleagues and supervisors.
- Experience with common software applications (e.g., Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, web browsers, Google Earth, online mapping tools).
- Experience operating various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g. hand tools, lawn mower, chainsaw, boat, kayak or canoe, etc).
- Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g. First Aid, CPR, herbicide application, and driver’s license).
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 2 Years of university or higher education in biological sciences, natural resource management, environmental education/communications, or equivalent field.
- Prior work and/or volunteer experience engaging the public in environmental, outdoor, or similar type activities.
- Interest in developing as a professional in an environmentally-related career.
- Experience with still and video photography.
- Knowledge of Coastal North Carolina cultural and natural history.
- Experience or coursework using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to produce maps.
- Cross cultural; multi-cultural; multi-lingual skills, background or experience a plus.
The expected dates of this position are May 2018- August 2018.