The Conservation Practitioner I helps develop an educational audio tour that focuses on the cultural history of Nags Head Woods Preserve in northeastern North Carolina. In addition, performs and participates in visitor services, outreach events, operations, and maintenance at Nags Head Woods Preserve.
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 develop an educational audio tour that focuses on cultural history and in general work 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, outreach, and education (60%):
- Greet visitors, engage in visitor conversation and answer visitor questions.
- Develop an educational audio tour that focuses on the cultural history of Nags Head Woods Preserve.
- With staff, learn points of interest along preserve trails as talking points/signs for visitors.
- Lead hike and open house events for visitors in Nags Head Woods Preserve.
- Photograph nature sights on the Preserve; assist staff in promoting the Preserve on social media.
- Attend and participate in Coastal Environmental Education Network Meetings (CEEN) or other events.
- Develop a cultural history brochure.
- Organize and clean kiosk, lobby and other visitor areas to appropriately represent The Nature Conservancy.
Preserve Stewardship Support (20%):
- Assist with preserve stewardship projects including invasive plant management and native plant restoration.
- Ensure hiking trails are passable and clean; other physical outdoor tasks as directed.
General Office Support (20%):
- 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.
- Prior work and/or volunteer experience with the public.
- 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 cultural history, biological sciences, natural resource management, environmental education/communications, or equivalent field.
- Possess organizational skills and strong attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in both an independent and team environment.
- Demonstrated ability to follow instructions from colleagues and supervisors.
- Clear communication skills via written, spoken, and graphical means in English.
- Prior work and/or volunteer experience engaging the public in historical, environmental, outdoor, or similar type activities.
- Prior work in script/program development for public tours.
- Interest in developing as a professional in education, history, or conservation.
- Experience with still and video photography.
- Knowledge of Coastal North Carolina cultural and natural history.
- Multi-lingual skills appreciated.