Coordinator, Conservation Biology

The Nature Conservancy of Canada• Ontario, ON, CA, ON

10h•CA$67,863 - CA$76,342•Hybrid

About The Position

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is seeking a Coordinator, Conservation Biology to join a team dedicated to protecting vital natural areas and the species within them. NCC is a leading private land conservation organization in Canada, focused on conserving and restoring significant natural areas and the species they support. Since 1962, NCC has united people to conserve and restore over 15 million hectares across Canada. NCC employs a collaborative, evidence-based strategy to achieve conservation successes for nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices, NCC achieves tangible results. NCC acknowledges its work on lands traditionally managed by Indigenous Peoples under their own laws and knowledge systems. The organization is committed to evolving its practices, advancing Reconciliation through conservation, and engaging with Indigenous Peoples in meaningful, respectful, and supportive ways. This position is located on the Saugeen Peninsula and involves some travel across Ontario. The Coordinator, Conservation Biology will be instrumental in leading conservation initiatives across the Saugeen Peninsula and collaborating with staff throughout Midwestern Ontario. The role is responsible for the stewardship and administration of NCC properties and contributes to strategic conservation planning. Working closely with the Midwestern Ontario Natural Area Manager and regional staff, the position will lead a landscape-scale habitat restoration program focused on managing invasive Phragmites across the Saugeen Peninsula Natural Area. Stewardship activities include restoring native habitats, protecting species at risk, eradicating invasive species, conducting monitoring, and mitigating the impacts of human disturbance. The Coordinator will manage contractors, leaseholders, volunteers, external partners, government agencies, conservation organizations, landowners, and other stakeholders to execute conservation projects across the Peninsula.

Requirements

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.

Responsibilities

Manage the field planning, field work and reporting required to develop and implement site-level management plans for NCC owned properties.
Coordinate the development, preparation, and implementation of baseline inventories, site-level management plans, and other reports.
Work closely with local area partners, land stewards, and contractors to coordinate the delivery of stewardship and outreach in priority landscapes.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
Work with the Manager, Natural Areas – Midwestern Ontario 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 and work planning for seasonal Conservation Technicians and ensure safe completion of stewardship tasks.
Support the development of annual work plans and budgets.
Manage project-level finances and reporting for the invasive species program under the direction of the Manager, Natural Areas - Midwestern Ontario.
Provide project management and administrative support to the Manager, Natural Areas - Midwestern Ontario 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.