The Nature Conservancy in North Carolina has always been about more than land conservation. We've built oyster reefs. We've restored forests. We've led the way in coastal climate change research. Our ability to bring diverse groups together, providing leadership and scientific expertise, has advanced our conservation work into a number of new areas, including restoring natural water flows on the Roanoke River, bringing fire back to the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains, and developing a better understanding of freshwater resources across the state. In each of these systems, we are using science to build resiliency and meet the needs of people as we tie each aspect of our work—from land protection to policy engagement—to place. Come join a dynamic team!
The Conservation Coordinator position, based in Wilmington, NC, is part of a conservation restoration and management team on longleaf pine and black and brown water systems. The team manages 40,000 acres on the southern coast of North Carolina which supports many components of a coastal plain community. This position will be essential in supporting the management and restoration through administration, planning, implementing, and maintenance.
The Conservation Coordinator may manage conservation data, participate in conservation planning, develop project packages, respond to landowner inquiries and maintain manual project records. May include collecting, assembling and analyzing various types of data, in the field or through document surveys, producing maps using GIS software and assisting in the production of reports. Work may be done in the field (species monitoring) or be based entirely in an office setting, compiling the information collected by others.
The Conservation Coordinator will work in the Southern Coastal Plain Program office in Wilmington, NC and provides project management, administrative and other general support toward the achievement of conservation goals. The Conservation Coordinator, working closely with the Coastal Fire and Restoration Manager, is responsible for public outreach, volunteer coordination, event management, and a variety of applied conservation duties as well as administrative and clerical tasks at the Conservancy’s Wilmington Program Office. The Conservation Coordinator will have stewardship responsibilities including conservation easement and habitat monitoring, assistance in prescribed burning, land management and conservation planning. He/she will be responsible for recruiting and coordinating local volunteers, performing general outreach and assisting in partnerships. This is a full-time, hourly position with benefits.
The ideal candidate will have an enthusiasm for sharing the protection of our natural areas with others. This person will also be good with data management and administrative duties. A love for working outside and working long hours on burn days is essential. There will be multiple opportunities for professional development. There is a physical fitness requirement.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Recruit, plan and coordinate the work of volunteers. Direct outreach efforts at local festivals, communities and local opinion leaders. Supervision of interns.
- Lead in data management and documentation
- Direct monitoring projects including annual conservation easement monitoring, preserve photo monitoring, and habitat restoration projects.
- Support, and in certain instances direct, stewardship components of TNC’s work including assisting on controlled burns, adaptive management projects, invasive species management, maintenance of land management recordkeeping, and boundary posting.
- Lead site management planning efforts and revise plans where needed on TNC owned/managed preserves, compiling historic site data and land use history and management goals.
- Support TNC’s involvement in the Cape Fear Arch and the Onslow Bight Stewardship Alliance Partnerships.
- Provide general program office support as needed. This includes, but is not limited to: budgeting, grant management, scanning, emailing, record keeping, copying, printing, composing, typing, proofreading, proposals, information packets, and other written materials. Process incoming and outgoing mail and maintaining data information.
- Monitor, purchase, and maintain office supplies. Arrange for maintenance and requisite registration of office, computer equipment and vehicles.
- 2 years related work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience with organization and communication.
- Experience working with Microsoft Office suite – Word, Excel, Outlook, Access. Experience or willingness to learn how to utilize databases for data entry and report production. Experience with or ability to learn ESRI ArcMap GIS software.
- Experience with administration including attention to detail and numerical ability.
- Must have a valid driver's license.
- Experience and capability of performing physical work and completing annual standard NWCG Pack test with the ability to carry 45lbs for 3 miles in less than 45 minutes.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Good typing skills. Ability to plan, administer and record results of work-team meetings and activities.
- Experience managing multiple priorities, and ability to work independently to complete tasks within assigned time frames.
- Experience communicating effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including local landowners and attorneys.
- Knowledge of natural systems.
- FFT2 wildland firefighter certification
- Experience in ecological land management principles.
- Experience supervising staff.
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.