Coordinator, Conservation Biology

Tobermory, Canada

Position details: Full Time Contract (8 months)

As Canada’s largest environmental charity, the Nature Conservancy of Canada has worked with partners to conserve natural landscapes since 1962. Together, we deliver solutions to address the dual crises of biodiversity loss and climate change through large-scale and long-term conservation. We create lasting change for the planet and its people by partnering with Indigenous Nations and communities, governments and businesses around shared interests. Nature makes it possible. To learn more, visit natureconservancy.ca.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Coordinator, Conservation Biology will play an integral role in leading conservation efforts across the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula and work collaboratively with staff across Midwestern Ontario. The position is located on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula with some travel across Ontario.

The Coordinator, Conservation Biology is responsible for stewardship and administration of NCC properties and contributes to strategic conservation planning. The role will work closely with the Midwestern Ontario Program Director and regional staff to lead a landscape scale habitat restoration program managing invasive Phragmites across the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula Natural Area. Stewardship involves restoring native habitats, protecting species at risk, removing invasive species, completing monitoring, and mitigating the impacts of human disturbance. The Coordinator, Conservation Biology will coordinate contractors, leaseholders, volunteers, external partners, government agencies, conservation organizations, landowners, and other interest groups to implement conservation work across the Peninsula.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Property Stewardship and Conservation Planning

Manage the field work and reporting required to develop and implement property management plans for NCC owned properties;
Coordinate the development, preparation, and implementation of baseline inventories, property management plans, and natural area conservation plans;
Work closely with local area partners, land stewards, and contractors to coordinate the delivery of stewardship and outreach in priority natural areas;
Monitor the status of biodiversity targets (including species at risk) and threats and the effectiveness of conservation actions on NCC properties;
Implement recommended stewardship and management actions on NCC properties, with a focus on habitat restoration, invasive species removal, and visitor management;
Monitor and report on conservation easements, including managing ongoing landowner relations;
Monitor and maintain trails, fences, gates, signage, and other infrastructure and address liability issues on NCC properties such as unwanted motorized vehicle access, illegal plant/animal/fungi harvesting, and trespassing;
Coordinate the funding and implementation of priority research and management activities;
Coordinate the monitoring and reporting on the status of conservation targets and threats on NCC properties transferred from NCC to conservation partners;
Monitor and map the distribution of invasive species on NCC properties and across public, private, and partner lands across the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula;
Coordinate and conduct the implementation of invasive species management using manual, mechanical, and chemical control techniques following best management practises and maintain daily log of the species managed, control technique, location, and conservation targets improved;
Navigate, acquire, and interpret government policy to obtain the necessary permits to complete stewardship and invasive management work and ensure associated compliance to achieve tangible results on the ground; Assist in the development of strategic landscape-scale plans to guide securement and stewardship, and to measure conservation success.

2. Property Administration

Ensure that accurate and current property information and records are available to regional and national managers;
Work with administrative staff to ensure the enrollment of all NCC eligible properties into applicable tax incentive or reduction programs;
Ensure that NCC’s Land Resource Management System is populated with accurate and complete data, including required digital layers;
Ensure all liability issues are dealt with promptly and accurate records are maintained for insurance related matters;
Ensure that conditions of all agreements (e.g. landholding agreements, off-road vehicle mitigation measures; agricultural lease agreements) are administered in a timely fashion.

3. Community and Partnership Liaison

Coordinate Conservation Volunteers events, in consultation with the Regional Coordinator, Science and Stewardship;
Foster and maintain positive relationships with landowners, lessees, volunteers, contractors, and local partners in the sub region through personal contact, program newsletters and other innovative approaches;
Become a known presence on the ground at NCC properties to help deter unwanted behaviour and promote positive visitor interactions and compliance;
Represent NCC on specific committees and at meetings or workshops related to land management and conservation as required;
Communicate regularly with NCC stewards and partners to develop and maintain good working relations;
Represent NCC in all appropriate external relations and communications functions relevant to NCC’s science and stewardship activities in the sub region (including public speaking, meetings, and media relations) to build awareness and support for the conservation programs of NCC and its partners;
Organize and implement visitor opportunities such as guided hikes and organized events that engage people in nature and NCC’s work.

4. Staff and Project Management

Work with the Program Director and others to coordinate and manage contractors, suppliers and volunteers working on science, stewardship and other initiatives in the sub region;
Manage and lead a variety of stewardship projects (often several at once) to deliver sound property management and meet annual stewardship deliverables;
Provide supervision of seasonal Conservation Technicians and work together to efficiently and safely complete subregional stewardship tasks;
Develop annual work plans and budgets with the Midwestern Ontario Program Director;
Manage project-level finances and reporting for the invasive species program with a budget of several hundred thousand dollars annually under the direction of the Midwestern Ontario Program Director;
Provide project management and administrative support to the Midwestern Ontario Program Director including grant preparation and reporting, budget management and internal conservation planning and tracking;
Assist regional staff and local fundraising volunteers to identify, cultivate, and request funds from both existing donors and new prospects, including individuals, businesses, foundations, government sources, and non-government organizations

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

This posting is targeted to individuals possessing the following skills and abilities:
A degree or diploma in ecology, conservation biology, environmental science or related discipline with 3-5 years of directly related experience or equivalent;
Strong project management and reporting skills, including excellent problem solving, planning, and organization skills, financial budgeting, tracking and reporting, and the ability to manage numerous agreements and deliverable simultaneously while paying attention to detail and timelines;
Demonstrated experience conducting independent fieldwork, comfortable working in wilderness settings, and knowledge of field safety practices;
Excellent oral and written communication skills;
Experience and comfort engaging with members of the public or volunteers;
Demonstrated interesting and ability to carry out physical labour and work outdoors in all types of weather and environmental conditions;
Comfortable working with and around herbicides as part of regular job duties;
Previous experience with invasive species identification and control;
Experience in trail management, visitor engagement, and/or mitigating impacts of visitors on natural lands;
Demonstrated ability to manage staff and/or volunteers, including at large volunteer events;
Entrepreneurial, with a strong ability to prepare and manage timelines, goals and expectations wisely;
Comfort working in a team setting and capable of easily communicating with a wide range of people from the public and private sectors;
Proficient with MS Office Suite;
Good botanical and wildlife inventory skills, experience using identification keys, working knowledge of Ontario’s Species at Risk, and an understanding of vegetation community classification;
Must have reliable transportation to rural areas and be comfortable driving on both highways and country roads;

Must be prepared to travel, work flexible hours at times, and work in remote areas.

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.

Application Deadline

January 1, 2025 | 11:59pm EST, 9:59pm Mountain Time, 8:59pm Pacific Time, 10:50pm CST, 00:59 am +1 AST

NCC hires based on merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We strive for bold conservation achievements in which equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are the norm. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. NCC implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. For a confidential inquiry, contact us by email at hr@natureconservancy.ca to make any required arrangements. If you have questions regarding accessible employment at NCC, please email us at hr@natureconservancy.ca