Interior Program Manager

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private 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 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 local offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.

POSITION: Full-time permanent, salaried position

LOCATION(s): The successful candidate will work remotely from a home office in the interior of British Columbia.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Interior Program Manager will oversee land stewardship across multiple Natural Areas in BC’s Interior, including Heritage Grasslands, South Okanagan Similkameen, Fraser West and West Chilcotin.

Reporting to the Interior Program Director, the Program Manager will be responsible for the delivery of conservation actions and land management obligations in the Interior. They will lead landscape and property level planning, ensuring best management practices on the land, and oversee development of Baseline Inventories, Property Management Plans and Monitoring Reports, for all interior projects. The Program Manager will supervise and collaborate with on-the-ground Stewardship Coordinators to accelerate conservation and optimize delivery to showcase exemplary land management. They will represent NCC at external partnerships, collaborate on restoration planning, write funding proposals and reports, oversee, and develop annual work plans for Stewardship Coordinators, and other tasks as directed by the Program Director.

NCC is a collaborative, dynamic and interdisciplinary team environment, the Program Manager will collaborate with other NCC staff and departments, regionally and nationally, when appropriate. They will coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, co-supervise and manage the intern program when applicable, work with and coordinate volunteers and partners, and use ecological data to decide actions. This role involves professional/technical and management work.

Location: The successful candidate will work remotely from a home office in the interior of British Columbia.

Responsibilities

Conservation Planning and Reporting 40%

• Ensure conservation actions are consistent with nationally and regionally approved policies and processes, as well as relevant Provincial and/or Federal laws and regulations.

• Oversee the development of all baseline inventory reports and property management plans for fee simple properties, and all baseline documentation reports for covenant properties in the Interior.
• Ensure all data and documents are properly stored in tracking and storage systems such as NCC’s Land Information System. Ensure database is kept up to date for the subregion.
• Ensure NCC’s property management meets goals outlined in the Strategic Plan and meets all NCC’s relevant policies and procedures.
• Ensure subregional implementation of property management plans.
• Track reporting deadlines and provide general guidance to Stewardship Coordinators for completion of annual monitoring reports. Provide field support as needed.
• Support reporting out on enhanced land management and restoration efforts (e.g., grassland restoration).

• Lead landscape level planning for the subregion and in collaboration with the Director of Planning and Innovation, BC and the planning team.

• Review annual property inspection and covenant assessments for the subregion, an ensure they meet NCC standards.

• Identify regional land management funding needs and contribute to cross-functional efforts to develop longer term delivery plans. Prepare reports, applications, and proposals related to grants and funding agreements.

• Source granting opportunities to support Stewardship Coordinators and conservation efforts in the Interior. Lead grant reporting.

• Support Interior Program Director in researching potential securement projects and provide input to the Land Administration team for securement projects as requested.
• Identify restoration needs and assist Stewardship Coordinator with achieving restoration goals.
• Facilitate external research on NCC lands.

Land Stewardship 25%

• Support and coordinate the delivery of land management in the Interior.

• Oversee and work with Stewardship Coordinator(s) to lead the ongoing management and monitoring of a portfolio of conservation lands and conservation covenants throughout BC’s Interior.
• Ensure all land use permits, leases, licences, and other tenures on NCC’s fee simple lands, including grazing, haying, research and access authorizations, are up to date.
• Manage relationships with leaseholders where required and in collaboration with Stewardship Coordinators.

• Ensure Stewardship Coordinators have resources and information needed to implement land management.
• Support Stewardship Coordinators in implementation of invasive species management plans, restoration prescriptions and range use plans. Lead larger scale restoration project delivery where additional funding and/or permitting is required.
• Ensure Stewardship Coordinators have support required to develop and manage contracts. Program Manager to review subregional contracts as part of approval process.

• Provide input and responses to subregional inquiries related to land management and stewardship.
• Take lead on issues that may arise, such as complaints or non-compliance and development of creative solutions and remedy actions.
• Provide input into grazing use and establishment of range health records and management plans.
• Ensure all land management requirements are met or exceeded on Southern Interior conservation lands.

Community partnerships and outreach (20%)

• Maintain and/or establish positive relationships with First Nations, landowners, lease holders, community members, governments, municipalities, and NCC’s partners in conservation to advance conservation in British Columbia. Support Stewardship Coordinators in maintaining and developing relationships as well.
• Represent NCC at meetings, workshops and in communities where required.

• Support media and public outreach and occasionally act as the representative of NCC's work on the land at donor and other public events.
• Work with Stewardship Coordinator and Develop and Communications Team staff to coordinate and execute volunteer and outreach events in the subregion.
• Attend meetings with partnership organizations and other conservation groups as they pertain to land stewardship in the subregion.

Work Planning and Administration (15%)

• Develop annual and field season work plans in support of subregional conservation goals.
• Implement, manage, and report on progress against work plans and budgets. Assist Program Director with annual budget planning.

• Review and approve Stewardship Coordinator timesheets, time off requests, and expenses.
• Ensure the subregion is meeting National and provincial (WCB) Health and Safety standards in field settings.
• Coordinate/support hiring of stewardship staff and conservation interns as required.

• Supervise additional seasonal staff as required.
• Ensure all field staff and contractors are adhering to Health and Safety protocols, completing safety forms and check-ins as required.

Hire and provide guidance to or oversee the work of conservation interns and volunteers when applicable.

Position Requirements

We encourage and invite all interested individuals to apply, and to demonstrate their relevant role experience and expertise. Individuals who may not fully meet the position requirements will be considered provided relevant qualifications and experience is demonstrated.

Education and Knowledge

• Undergraduate degree in a related discipline (e.g., applied conservation biology, restoration ecology, natural resource conservation, forestry, geography, environmental science, etc.) or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Working knowledge of BC Interior conservation issues and stewardship work.
• Experience and understanding of livestock management, species at risk and habitats of BC Interior landscapes and associated land management techniques (e.g., stocking rates, invasive species control, grazing systems, domestic forage).

Experience

• Supervising field staff from remote office location.
• Building and facilitating effective relationships through positive and clear communication.
• Working and collaborating with Indigenous peoples and communities.
• Managing work plans, budgets, and staff.
• Reviewing terms of contracts, leases, licenses, permits.
• Conducting grassland health assessments, understanding agricultural practices and operations, and establishing range use plans.
• Creating management plans and baseline inventory documents.
• Conducting conservation land management including but not limited to access management, invasive species management, ecosystem restoration and other related best management practices.
• Managing projects related to stewardship and restoration of grasslands, dry forests and wetlands.
• Writing grant applications, funding proposals, and reports.
• Working with databases and collecting and using spatial data through various platforms.
• Working in an office-based setting.
• Operating off road vehicles, working in remote locations and navigating rural or remote areas if required.
• Following a Health and Safety program including protocols for working in remote locations, supervising staff out in these settings, and using or monitoring emergency communication devices for check-ins.

Competencies

• Effective communicator: proficient collaborator when working with others in a fast-paced environment. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Established solution-oriented approach; willingness to seek creative strategies when barriers encountered.
• Problem solver: ability to overcome challenges, adapt and maintain resilience when facing adversity.
• Capacity and flexibility; ability to stay focused on meeting project and reporting deadlines while maintaining a positive and energized work environment with changing priorities.
• Accountability: Demonstrated ability to be accountable in a remote or semi-remote virtual work environment and organizing time to manage competing priorities while still meeting deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to travel for multi-day work trips (even up to 1 or 2 weeks) multiple times during the field season and some weekend work.
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office
• Comfortable working independently in a home office, and as part of a team with many colleagues in a decentralized work environment.
• Ability and willingness for occasional on-the-ground work including manual labor activities such as fixing fences or installing signage.
• Possess a valid class 5 driver’s license and are comfortable driving on both highways and rough remote roads.

Additional Preferred Assets

• Relevant professional designation such as P. Ag., R.P. Bio, etc.
• Wilderness First Aid Training
• Conflict Resolution Training

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 March 24, 2023 11:59pm 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.

We thank everyone who applies for their interest in the Nature Conservancy of Canada; however only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.