Conservation Partnership and Engagement Specialist

The Nature Conservancy • Chicago, IL

18d • $77,500 - $83,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Conservation Partnership and Engagement Specialist is a statewide role based in the Chicagoland area that supports The Nature Conservancy’s Chicago Area Climate Adaptation Program. The Conservation Partnership and Engagement Specialist is responsible for the future development and oversight of the Volunteer Stewardship Network (VSN) and the Thrive Outside Chicago Program. The VSN is a statewide program that supports the engagement, stewardship, and restoration of natural areas by providing capacity building opportunities to local community conservation efforts to ensure that the benefits of nature are accessible to all people. The Thrive Outside Chicago Program is an initiative in partnership with the Outdoor Foundation, Thrive Outside Chicago network partners and the national Thrive Outside Network, that works to improve equitable outdoor access for all communities in Chicago. This position leads and will work closely with other TNC preserve and support staff on developing, managing, and advancing equitable conservation programs, plans and methods for engagement with a focus on strategic geographic areas across the state. The Conservation Partnership and Engagement Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing community engagement strategies that build off existing programs to connect and foster relationships between local communities and regional TNC projects and preserves. This position oversees multiple grantmaking and capacity-building programs that align with TNC’s equitable conservation strategies through the statewide Volunteer Stewardship Network (VSN) and the Thrive Outside program in Chicago. The VSN will support volunteer stewardship groups and community-based organizations in strategic areas to build greater capacity for habitat restoration and community driven conservation and outdoor access projects in local natural areas and public green spaces. As part of the management of the VSN, the Specialist will also be responsible for the continued oversight of the Thrive Outside Chicago network and support its integration with the VSN. This includes advancing strategies that build capacity for local organizations working to connect communities (e.g., south and west sides of Chicago) with nature and outdoor programming in the Chicago area. This position reports directly to the Director of Community Partnerships and Engagement and works closely with multiple TNC preserve and support staff to achieve desired program deliverables and outcomes.

Requirements

• BA/BS in a related field and 5 years’ experience in conservation partnership building and/or community engagement or similar field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience negotiating complex agreements.
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
• Experience using common software applications, including but not limited to Zoom, Microsoft Suite, and Google Suites.
• Experience in training and curriculum design.
• Grant administration experience, including creating proposals and reports.
• Demonstrated experience in partnership development with community groups, non-profit partners, and/or government agencies.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads, and finances under deadlines.
• This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers."
• Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Nice To Haves

• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Experience managing and administering grantmaking and capacity building programs.
• Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in community engagement, conservation, and natural resource management.
• Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e. conservation and land management agencies, community-based organizations, and volunteer groups.
• Strong project management experience working across various programs to complete tasks independently with respect to timeline(s) and desired outcomes.
• Strong team player who can build relationships and work collaboratively across the organization and with program partners.
• Knowledge and understanding of the City of Chicago and Cook County’s political, cultural, and environmental NGO landscape.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the development, implementation, and management of the Volunteer Stewardship Network, including budgeting, strategic planning, and delivering grantmaking and capacity building programs that support volunteer stewardship groups and community-based organizations and leaders in strategic areas across the state.
• Developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with attention to building relationships with a focus to connect TNC programs and preserves, with local community-based organizations and stewardship groups.
• Incorporating community-based conservation strategies to increase access, address barriers, and support capacity building for strategic partners to support local conservation efforts and access to nature projects.
• Overseeing the Thrive Outside Chicago program through its integration with the Volunteer Stewardship Network, while working with support staff to sustain local and national network partner relationships.
• Strengthening and expand existing strategies related to community-based conservation and volunteer stewardship.
• Responsible for project management of multiple community engagement programs while utilizing support staff and working with internal and external partners to achieve program outcomes.

Benefits

• TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level