Coordinator, Conservation Biology

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, we have brought people together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, evidence-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.

NCC recognizes that we work on lands that have long been cared for by Indigenous Peoples under their own laws and knowledge systems. We are committed to transforming how we do our work, advancing Reconciliation through conservation, and working with Indigenous Peoples in meaningful, respectful, and supportive ways.

Position Summary

The tasks of the Coordinator, Conservation Biology position are highly varied and rewarding. The Coordinator, Conservation Biology is responsible for the stewardship and administration of NCC properties and contributes to strategic conservation planning in Central Ontario. You will plan and implement stewardship of NCC’s lands including habitat restoration (e.g. seeding, tree planting), invasive species management, trail and infrastructure maintenance, and property monitoring. You will also be directly interacting with and educating visitors, collaborating with partners, neighbours, and contractors, and work alongside other members of the Central Ontario – West team. This position is based in the Barrie-Orillia-Kirkfield area with travel primarily to the Carden Alvar area and Dewey’s Island, with some additional travel in York Region and Simcoe County.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Property Stewardship and Conservation Planning

• Implement recommended stewardship and management actions on NCC properties, with a focus on responsible land management and liability mitigation, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, and visitor use management;
• Coordinate the implementation of invasive species control;
• 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;
• Monitor the status of biodiversity targets (including species at risk) and threats and the effectiveness of conservation actions on NCC properties;
• 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 and site-level management plans;
• Work closely with local area partners, land stewards, and contractors to coordinate the delivery of stewardship and outreach in priority natural areas;
• Coordinate the monitoring and reporting on the status of conservation targets and threats and management on NCC properties transferred from NCC to conservation partners.

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, access agreements; agricultural lease agreements) are administered in a timely fashion.

3. Community and Partnership Liaison

• 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 promote positive community relations and deter incompatible use;
• 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 activities in the subregion (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 stewardship and other initiatives in the subregion;
• 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;
• Assist in the development of annual work plans and budgets for stewardship activities;
• Provide project management and administrative support to the Program Director including grant preparation and reporting, budget management and conservation planning.

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 interest and ability to carry out physical labour and work outdoors in all types of weather and environmental conditions;
• Previous experience with invasive species identification and control;
• Comfortable working with and around pesticides as part of regular job duties;
• 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 have a valid class “G” driver’s license and ability to rent a vehicle in Ontario;
• Must be prepared to travel, work flexible hours at times, and work in remote areas.

The following additional skills and abilities would be assets in the position:

• Experience using power tools and other mechanized stewardship equipment (backpack sprayers, mowers, brush saws, hydraulic spray systems);
• Pesticide exterminator license;
• Standard First Aid - Level C CPR certification.

Application Deadline

September 28, 2025 | 11:59pm EST, 9:59pm Mountain Time, 8:59pm Pacific Time, 10:50pm CST, 00:59 am +1 AST

At NCC, we're committed to providing a healthy, safe, barrier free and inclusive, workplace, where respect and diversity are recognized assets. 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.