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Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Manager of Land Stewardship in British Columbia to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.

NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962 NCC and its supporters have protected 15 million hectares (more than 35 million acres) of ecologically significant land across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, science-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.


Position Summary

NCC continues to expand its portfolio of conservation lands in British Columbia, which currently comprises of nearly 400 parcels of land. The Manager of Stewardship is a leadership role that supports and provides oversight over the implementation the BC land stewardship program in support of NCC’s strategic plan. This position is tasked with implementation, coordination and strategic delivery of the provincial land stewardship program, under the Director of Lands. Externally, they will work with government and NGO partners, funders, community groups, Indigenous communities, local landowners, and volunteers to deliver land management. Internally, they will work closely and cooperatively with land management staff throughout British Columbia to ensure effective and efficient delivery of land management across the province that is in line and meets the goals of NCC’s strategic plan. They are responsible for leading and implementing the health and safety program and regional land management grants. They will coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, co-supervise and manage the intern program, work with and coordinate volunteers and partners, and use ecological data to decide actions. In fulfilling their responsibilities, the Manager of Land Stewardship will help to build a thriving world through conservation and will demonstrate a commitment to NCC’s values of Big Thinking, Collaboration, Determination and Empowerment.

The Manager of Land Stewardship’s responsibilities include the following, with other priorities as determined from time to time with the Director of Lands:

Land Management (45%)

  • Oversee and approve the development of all baseline inventories and property management plans for NCC’s fee simple properties, and baseline documentation reports for covenant properties. Ensure NCC’s property management meets goals outlined in the strategic plan and meets all NCC’s relevant policies and procedures
  • In coordination with the GIS and Planning team, ensure property management information is accurate and up to date in NCC’s Land Information System and entered in accordance with relevant policies and procedures
  • Ensure implementation of property management plans and annual monitoring and reporting of all Conservation Covenants; provide field support as needed and ensure Lands staff have resources and information needed to implement land management
  • In coordination with the GIS and Planning team, provide training and support for field protocols. Ensure there is a high level of awareness and consistency in use
  • Support reporting out on enhanced land management and restoration efforts
  • Support development of guidance and processes for the Lands Team and ensure roll out for stewardship staff
  • Act as a liaison between stewardship staff and the GIS Planning Team


Grant Development and Delivery and Communication (30%)

  • Identify regional land management funding needs and contribute to cross-functional efforts to develop longer term delivery plans
  • Contribute to cross-functional efforts to create, deliver and report out on proposals for program funding
  • Support regional staff in the development of project-based proposals
  • Contribute to strengthening relationships with volunteers, donors and funding partners
  • Work with the Development and Communications team to integrate land conservation themes into marketing and development materials
  • Lead or assist with donor tours
  • Support media and public outreach and sometimes act as the face of NCC's work on the land at donor and other public events


Health and Safety (10%)

  • Ensure the Region is meeting national and provincial (WCB) health and safety standards in field settings
  • Maintain a robust health and safety culture for Lands staff
  • Coordinate and lead health and safety training as necessary


Stewardship Initiatives (15%)

  • Managing regional scale contracts
  • Manage/coordinate regional Lands Team initiatives
  • Coordinate/support hiring of stewardship staff and conservation interns
  • Coordinate external research opportunities on NCC conservation areas


Position Requirements

Post-secondary degree in a related field (Conservation Biology, Land Management) is preferred, with 5-7 years conservation land management experience or equivalent.

Most importantly, we expect all staff to think big, get stuff done, and find joy in their work. Here are the other skills and competencies that are important or essential in this position:

  • Flexibility, reliability, self-motivation, a “can-do” attitude with the ability to work independently and as a leader
  • Proven operational and project management acumen, able to effectively lead a variety of resources to attain a multitude of deliverables planned, with project management skills, problem solving, planning and organizational skills, and attention to detail and timelines
  • Experience with aspects of a not-for-profit conservation organization’s ethics, opportunities and challenges
  • A proven ability to interact comfortably with NCC’s partners in BC, including donors, government representatives, Indigenous communities, NGO partners, and landowners
  • A proven ability to work comfortably in many different venues, from the day-to-day office environment and in the field
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and an ability to make creative, sound decisions
  • Well-developed written, verbal, listening and overall communication skills
  • A proactive and far-seeing attitude, with a proven ability to anticipate and resolve problematic situations before they arise and/or to deal swiftly and effectively with them when they do
  • Ability to influence staff without being a direct supervisor
  • Must be prepared to travel and work flexible hours
  • Proficient with MS Office applications (Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Word, Excel, etc.) and experience navigating databases
  • Collaborative, energizing, willing to acknowledge challenges and speak out, resilient, focused, creative-solution oriented, respectful of others’ feelings and time, accountable, and adaptable

How to Apply

NCC is an equal opportunity employer. If you are interested in joining our team, please submit your cover letter, resume and salary expectations through our Career Centre by December 31, 2022 at 11:59 PM EST.

NCC welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

We value and incorporate diverse traditions, heritage, knowledge and experiences in our mission and in our workplaces. We celebrate the full participation of people from all walks of life as we work towards common goals. We strive for a conservation movement in which equity, diversity and inclusion are the norm. This is our continuous commitment: to promote healthy people, healthy communities and a healthy planet for everyone.