Coordinator, Community Conservation

Missouri Botanical Garden•St. Louis, MO

About The Position

The Community Conservation Coordinator uses the Missouri Botanical Garden’s expertise in plant conservation, horticulture, native and invasive plants, environmental education, and ecological restoration to engage communities and build their capacity to steward local lands and waters. The role is approximately 75% office-based coordination, planning, and reporting, and 25% fieldwork. The coordinator organizes community conservation and education programs, volunteer stewardship activities, regional biodiversity initiatives, and partnerships. The position also supports assigned rainscaping programs, maintains online conservation resources, assists with funding opportunities, and manages project budgets, evaluation, safety, and reporting. The role involves frequent regional travel, occasional transportation of participants in a 15-passenger van, and outdoor work in varied weather conditions.

Requirements

At least three years of work in the conservation field; ecology, restoration, or forest management experience is preferred.
At least two years of work with biodiversity topics such as invasive-species removal, native plant horticulture, land management, or native plant landscaping.
At least two years of experience working with diverse public audiences.
Knowledge of invasive plant species, native plant landscaping, ecological restoration, and environmental education.
Experience and knowledge of ecological restoration best practices that enhance regional biodiversity.
Interest in environmental issues and dedication to fairly representing all sides of such issues.
Proficient experience using Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ability to use and maintain specialty tools and gear for invasive plant removal and basic gardening tools such as trowels, shovels, and pruners.
Ability to communicate effectively and accurately in English, orally and in writing.
Proficient high-school-level basic math skills, including arithmetic and calculating percentages and decimals.
Ability to exercise independent judgment, apply facts and principles to problem resolution, and take action.
Valid driver’s license; must obtain a valid Class E driver’s license within the first two months of employment.
Ability to pass a background screening and motor vehicle report to meet minimum insurance underwriting criteria.
Ability to obtain a Missouri Pesticide Applicator License upon hiring.
Ability to lift 35 pounds and over, use land-management and restoration tools and technologies, and stand and move about indoors and outdoors for extended periods.
Ability to drive a 15-passenger van.
Able to work outdoors in all weather conditions, including temperatures over 100°F and below 0°F, rain, snow, and other inclement weather as needed.
Frequent travel within Missouri and surrounding areas; use of a personal car may be required to purchase supplies and food and transport gear.
Strong encouragement to receive vaccinations recommended by the employee’s healthcare provider before the hire date; the Garden may require proof of current vaccination status based on local health department guidelines.
When international travel is necessary for Garden business, ability to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for destination countries.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of community engagement best practices.
Experience in experiential or investigation-based teaching.
Experience with ArcGIS mapping.
Prior experience working for a conservation organization or agency.
Bachelor’s degree in education, science education, ecology, forest ecology, forestry, restoration ecology, horticulture, environmental science, or a related field; an equivalent combination of skills, education, training, and practitioner experience may be considered.
S130/190 Wildland Firefighter Certification.
Chainsaw Safety Certification.
ISA Certified Arborist Certification.

Responsibilities

Coordinate community-based projects involving education, public awareness, and stewardship to protect and enhance regional biodiversity.
Coordinate calls to action and prepare website updates, e-newsletters, and digital and social media posts that connect people with regional stewardship opportunities.
Plan and coordinate the Honeysuckle Sweep for Healthy Habitats, including year-round invasive plant removal, native plant establishment, volunteer events, and restoration activities.
Coordinate the annual City Nature Challenge and iNaturalist species inventory competition.
Collaborate with Garden, Shaw Nature Reserve, Butterfly House, and external conservation professionals to translate science and research into practical biodiversity, restoration, monitoring, and land-management strategies.
Coordinate and lead volunteer corps for invasive-species removal, including recruiting and training volunteers, organizing workdays, and collaborating with partner organizations.
On occasion, transport program participants or volunteers to work sites in a 15-passenger van.
Identify and recruit audiences for stewardship projects, including students, teachers, landowners, community groups, municipalities, parks departments, and policymakers.
Develop and deliver community education programs, talks, and workshops; promote conservation strategies and train community members in habitat maintenance and conversion practices.
Develop and facilitate collaborative partnerships; represent the Garden with regional conservation leaders, agencies, professional alliances, and nonprofit conservation organizations; and act as a liaison with conservation professionals.
Identify new stewardship opportunities, collaborations, and project sites.
Assist with assigned coordination and implementation of the Deer Creek Watershed Alliance’s Rainscaping Cost-Share (Rebate) Program and the MSD Rainscaping Small Grants Program.
Represent the Garden at relevant outreach events and conservation initiatives, including the Missouri Invasive Plant Council and Community Stewardship Alliance.
Maintain and update the BiodiverseCity STL website and BiomeSTL ArcGIS Story Map.
Assist with securing funding for community conservation projects.
Manage assigned project activities to meet financial and program goals, including ordering supplies, recruiting participants, managing budgets, evaluating outcomes, and reporting results and impacts.
Follow and enforce applicable safety standards, inform participants and volunteers of safe practices, monitor work, adapt methods to reduce hazards, and promptly report accidents, injuries, and near misses.
Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct and knowledge of organizational policies, procedures, and systems.
Meet attendance guidelines and follow established policies and procedures, including the Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines, and department policies.
Communicate and behave in ways that foster teamwork and cooperation with colleagues, volunteers, visitors, and community partners.
Perform other duties as assigned.