The Conservation Coordinator provides technical leadership and support to help implement a suite of protection strategies, with a primary focus on managing the conservation easement compliance monitoring program for 160+ properties totaling over 165,000 acres in South Carolina. S/he will support the Director of Land Protection in new land acquisition projects with tracking, conducting baseline documentation reports, and managing contracts on easement and preserve lands.
The Coordinator provides technical leadership and support to the South Carolina Chapter by managing the statewide conservation easement compliance program. S/he ensures that annual monitoring reports are completed and reported in a timely manner for all properties where the Conservancy holds a conservation easement or deed restriction in accordance with established TNC standard operating procedures. In addition, the Conservation Coordinator is responsible for conducting baseline and annual monitoring and submitting reports for a number of properties in South Carolina. S/he provides leadership, training, and technical assistance regarding annual monitoring to landscape programs where necessary. Moreover, s/he routinely works with landscape staff, landowners and TNC attorneys to respond to easement interpretation questions, notices and to resolve issues regarding easement compliance issues and violations. In addition, this person works closely with science and stewardship staff to manage contracts related to the management of preserve properties.
The Conservation Coordinator will also support the SC land protection program to help protect ecologically important areas in South Carolina and employs a full range of protection tools to acquire different legal interests in land. Works with private landowners, government agencies, conservation partners and contractors to coordinate project details, to move towards closing.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and judgment.
- Designs, implements and directs multiple complex projects, setting deadlines and ensuring program accountability and legal compliance.
- Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Experience interpreting legal documents, including deeds and conservation easements.
- Experience conducting field work (i.e., land management, ecological monitoring, etc.).
- Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
- Experience in basic cartography, ArcGIS and GPS.
- Must have valid driver's license.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 2-5 years’ experience in natural resource management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and let science guide activities.
- Relationship building skills to work closely with a variety of partners and the public, i.e., media, government officials, internal scientists.
- Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English.
- Familiarity with principles of land acquisition and protection.
- Familiarity with the Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices.
- Familiarity with Microsoft SharePoint.
- Experiences creating and managing ArcMap Geo-databases and managing spatial datasets.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, ecological land management and natural resource preservation.
- Completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
- Experience in managing volunteers.
- Ability to obtain related licenses or certifications such as prescribed burning (red card), first aid, CPR, herbicide application.
- Must have valid driver’s license and safe driving record (per TNC’s Auto Safety Program.)
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.