Mitigation Specialist

The Nature Conservancy•Brunswick, ME

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Mitigation Specialist supports the Maine chapter of The Nature Conservancy’s conservation programs by assisting with administration of the Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program (MNRCP), part of the State of Maine’s In Lieu Fee Compensation Program. The Nature Conservancy works closely with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the US Army Corps of Engineers to administer MNRCP, which awards grant funding to aquatic resource restoration and conservation projects. The Mitigation Specialist’s support for MNRCP will include field and desktop analyses of completed mitigation projects and proposed wetland and stream restoration opportunities; mapping and assessment of natural resources and ecological conditions at current and proposed project sites; review of restoration, monitoring, and management plans prepared by MNRCP applicants; program outreach; and communication with program partners, including state and federal agencies, municipalities, and non-profit conservation groups. MNRCP awards funding through a competitive grant process. The Mitigation Specialist will work as part of a team to support the MNRCP proposal review process, including review of project proposals, preparation and coordination of review materials, and participation in committee review meetings. The Mitigation Specialist also supports the administrative processes of the program, including collaboration with applicants, program reviewers, and other TNC legal and administrative staff. They develop and coordinate project related agreements, support land protection, restoration, and land management decision-making, and facilitate mitigation project implementation, working with TNC legal staff on tracking, approval, and compliance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in conservation, habitat restoration, natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience
Relationship building experience to facilitate working closely with a variety of partners, i.e., non-profits, media, government officials, internal scientists
Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s)
Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages
Excellent organizational skills and ability to keep multiple tasks moving forward along varied timelines
Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
Valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program
Must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process

Nice To Haves

Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated, including work with Indigenous communities
3-5 years’ experience in conservation, habitat restoration, natural resource management or equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience with field identification and desktop analysis of natural resources, including wetlands, streams, invasive species, and wildlife habitat
Experience with state and federal natural resource regulations, including experience with permittee-responsible mitigation and third-party mitigation programs (e.g., in lieu fee programs or mitigation banks)
Experience with GIS software, specifically ESRI ArcGIS software (ArcPro, AGOL, Field Maps), spatial analysis, data editing, and producing data reports and creating maps
Experience working outdoors with ability to hike over rough terrain for extended periods of time in poor weather conditions in remote locations
Ability to navigate in the field using road and topographic maps, aerial photos, and other mapped information, as well as familiarity with navigating and collecting data with GPS applications
Experience developing partnerships, particularly with non-profits, municipalities, state and federal agencies, and/or Tribes
Excellent ‘team player’ with a commitment to respecting team dynamics, and a strong ability to understand diverse perspectives, and synthesize multiple perspectives to achieve the best outcome
Familiarity with principles of land acquisition or similar asset acquisition
Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, habitat or watershed restoration, and natural resource preservation

Responsibilities

Field and desktop analyses of completed mitigation projects and proposed wetland and stream restoration opportunities
Mapping and assessment of natural resources and ecological conditions at current and proposed project sites
Review of restoration, monitoring, and management plans prepared by MNRCP applicants
Program outreach
Communication with program partners, including state and federal agencies, municipalities, and non-profit conservation groups
Support the MNRCP proposal review process, including review of project proposals, preparation and coordination of review materials, and participation in committee review meetings
Support the administrative processes of the program, including collaboration with applicants, program reviewers, and other TNC legal and administrative staff
Develop and coordinate project related agreements
Support land protection, restoration, and land management decision-making
Facilitate mitigation project implementation, working with TNC legal staff on tracking, approval, and compliance