Conservation Project Coordinator
- Job Type
- Full Time
- Job Level
- Experienced (non manager)
- Location
- Dartmouth, NS
- Impact Area
- Environment
- Impact Category
- Nonprofit
- Company Type
- Nonprofit
About this position
Conservation Project Coordinator Opportunity
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust is a land conservation charity dedicated to protecting the province’s natural legacy, through private land conservation. Our mission is positive and action-oriented—protecting and stewarding Nova Scotia’s most ecologically significant natural areas, and educating and engaging Nova Scotians in nature conservation. We have a proven 25 year track record in conservation achievement, with over 11,000 acres of outstanding natural areas, encompassing almost 100 conservation sites throughout the province that are protected, forever.
We seek to fill a multi-faceted, highly rewarding position, leading conservation projects to tangible, lasting land conservation results—keeping Nova Scotia forever wild.
Position Highlights
The Nature Trust has distinct geographic/thematically-based conservation projects through which we advance our land conservation mission (such as the 100 Wild Islands, the St. Mary’s River, Endangered Species and Urban Wildlands). Each is a focus for strategic conservation efforts.
With growing land conservation successes and new opportunities arising, we are hiring three (3) Conservation Project Coordinators. The role is diverse, from landowner outreach, community education and engagement, partnership-building, and communications, to supporting conservation planning, saving and stewarding wild spaces. The position affords the opportunity to travel throughout the province, getting to know outstanding and unique natural areas across the province and collaborating with the very special people (landowners, volunteers, staff, supporters and partners) who are committed to advancing our conservation mission. You’ll be working for a cause that truly matters and where your work makes a tangible, lasting impact.
Our ideal candidate is an enthusiastic, strategic, go-getter with a proven track record in delivering high quality results, through exceptional project management skills. You are a personable, natural communicator and networker, a respected and trusted liaison with our conservation friends, partners and stakeholders.
You are passionate about nature and land conservation, keen to apply your experience and knowledge to advance targeted, strategic on-the-ground biodiversity conservation results, robust land stewardship and active community engagement in the Nature Trust mission.
Position Description
Reporting to the Director of Conservation, the Conservation Project Coordinator is responsible for advancing biodiversity conservation through land securement, land stewardship and community engagement within targeted conservation projects. You will work closely with our staff team and advisors with expertise in land securement, stewardship, conservation planning, ecology, community engagement, communications, fundraising and volunteer management.
Key Responsibilities
Project Management
- Lead conservation projects that advance the Nature Trust’s biodiversity conservation mandate including project planning, coordination, administration, reporting, finances, human resources
Fundraising and Reporting
- Secure and manage project grants, liaise with funders, and support other fundraising activities
Landowner Outreach
- Carryout a program of outreach and education with priority landowners to build conservation awareness and inspire action through private land conservation
- Provide technical/ other support for landowners interested in moving forward with conservation
Education, Community Outreach and Communications
- Plan and coordinate educational events and activities, marketing, public relations and communications to reduce threats to significant areas, and to inspire conservation support/action
- Foster and sustain networks, partnerships and collaborations (government, community organizations, landowners, community groups, businesses, scientists/academics)
- Represent the Nature Trust on relevant committees, teams and initiatives; participate in and make presentations at workshops, conferences and other relevant events
Supporting Land Securement, Stewardship and Conservation Planning
- Assist in formal securement of priority lands (e.g. landowner negotiations, site visits, legal work, appraisal, boundary survey, internal reports and proposals, conservation easement or agreement of purchase and sale preparation, GIS analysis and cartography)
- Assist with ecological site assessments, baseline studies, management planning, monitoring and stewardship of conservation lands
- Assist with the selection of focus areas and biodiversity targets, prioritization of specific private lands to target for conservation, GIS/cartography and field work
Position Requirements, Compensation and Term
Position is based in Dartmouth, and entails travel throughout the province, and both evening and weekend work, including multi-day travel. It will require working alone in varying terrain including remote and rugged wilderness areas, travelling by canoe/kayak, or hiking /bushwhacking in all weather conditions. You must have a valid driver’s license.
Start Date: As soon as possible. The search committee will begin to consider potential candidates immediately and will continue until the 3 positions are filled.
Salary commensurate with experience. We are hiring for one full-time, permanent Conservation Project Coordinator position, and two 2 year contract positions with possibility for extension based on funding.
Qualifications and Application Information
Key Personal Attributes
- Passion for nature/commitment to the mandate of the Nature Trust
- A go-getter, able to take initiative
- Eager to learn/improve, curious,
- Strategic thinker who prioritizes well, gets things done
- Highly organized, results-driven
- Professional, diplomatic and tactful
- Strong work ethic/dedication
- Outgoing, confident, friendly, mature
- Highly ethical with high degree of personal integrity, able to maintain confidentiality of donors, land transactions
- Adaptable, flexible, comfortable in a dynamic environment
- Supportive team player
Key Qualifications (equivalencies may be considered)
- University undergraduate degree or college diploma in biology, resource management, environmental studies, or other discipline relevant to the position
- A minimum of three (3) years relevant project coordination experience, ideally in land conservation, protected areas, resource management or other related field
Key Competencies, Skills and Experience Required
- Strong track record in effectively leading and managing complex projects
- Excellent project management, organizational, research, planning, systems management and administration skills
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, to prioritize, meet deadlines and maintain attention to detail in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Outstanding communications, interpersonal and networking skills
- Able to write clear and compelling reports, proposals and public communications that inspire engagement/action
- Exceptional presentation skills; competent public speaker and educator
- Good active listening and teamwork skills
- Able to develop positive, productive relationships, instil trust and inspire credibility with diverse people and organizations; good active listening skills
- Proven track record in envisioning, creating and maintaining fruitful, mutually beneficial partnerships and relationships with diverse stakeholders (e.g. landowners, local communities, conservation partners, research partners etc.)
- Financial management (budgets, tracking, reporting)
- Comfortable with computers and technology (spreadsheets, databases, PowerPoint, cameras, GPS)
- Valid driver’s license
- Strong field skills (comfortable navigating natural areas independently, travelling on foot, by canoe/kayak; using GPS, map and compass)
Additional Desired Skills/Experience
- At least 10 years relevant professional experience
- Post-graduate or professional training in relevant field
- Experience working in the non-profit/non-government sector
- Wilderness first aid training and any other field-related certification/training
- Project management training or certification
- GIS and cartography skills (prepare and produce maps, organize field GPS and other spatial data)
- Strong field Nova Scotia-specific ecology skills (landscape, ecological interpretation skills, flora and fauna identification, habitat classification
- Knowledge/professional experience in the following:
- Land trusts, private land conservation and stewardship, conservation easements/easement stewardship and enforcement, standards and practises, issues, trends and opportunities
- Baseline studies, site assessments and field inventory
- Conservation planning, prioritization
- Protected areas and biodiversity conservation programs and initiatives (national, provincial, local, legislation, policies, programs, issues, trends, opportunities and key contacts
- Land management/stewardship planning, strategies and tactics
- Environmental education, nature interpretation
- Working effectively with volunteers
Due to the anticipated volume of applications, we will only be contacting shortlisted candidates.
We do greatly appreciate your interest in the work of the Nature Trust!
Please consider exploring our volunteer opportunities which you may find of interest. See www.nsnt.ca/participate/volunteer.
About us
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust is a land conservation charity dedicated to the protection and stewardship of Nova Scotia’s most important natural areas, through private land conservation. The Nature Trust works with private landowners to protect properties with significant conservation value, and we commit to stewarding these lands to ensure their protection, forever. Our mission is positive and action-oriented, and through our outreach programs we engage Nova Scotians, as well as supporters from across Canada and around the world, about nature conservation. With nearly 25 years of experience in land conservation, we have a proven track record in protecting Nova Scotia’s natural legacy, with over 10,800 acres of outstanding conservation lands protected across 91 conservation sites throughout the province.
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