CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

Hiring: Acting Coordinator, Conservation Biology – Central Ontario - East
Organization: The Nature Conservancy of Canada
Location: Belleville-Kingston area, Ontario (location to be determined)

Reports to: Program Director, Central Ontario - East
Time frame: Contract – June 12 – October 15, 2023
Salary Range: $63,950 - $71,909

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Program Director for Southwestern Ontario to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.

NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962 NCC and its supporters have protected 15 million hectares of ecologically significant land across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, science-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.

Overview

The Coordinator, Conservation Biology – Central Ontario - East (CO-E) supports the Program Director in conservation efforts in the CO-E sub region with a focus on Napanee Plain and Eastern Lake Ontario Coast Natural Areas. CO-E encompasses an area stretching from Lake Ontario to the edge of the Canadian Shield, east from the GTA to Kingston and Prince Edward County (ecological districts 6E-7, 6E-8, 6E-9, 6E-13, and 6E-15). The objective of the program is the delivery of NCC’s mission of protecting biological diversity through collaborative, strategic, science-based land conservation and stewardship. The Coordinator, Conservation Biology is responsible for the stewardship and administration of NCC properties in these Natural Areas and contributes to strategic conservation planning by working with staff and partners to identify other significant areas of biological diversity, threats, opportunities and strategic conservation actions.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Conservation Planning and Reporting

• Coordinate the preparation of baseline inventories and property management plans, and assist with writing and implementing Natural Area Conservation Plans;
• Plan and organize field work and reporting required to implement property management plans for NCC-owned properties;
• Assess the biological and strategic values of lands under consideration for securement, and key challenges for their stewardship;
• Coordinate the monitoring and reporting on the status of conservation targets and threats on properties transferred from NCC to conservation partners;
  • Coordinate partnerships and work plans with local land stewards, conservation organizations/agencies, First Nations, and contractors;
  • Develop annual work plans and budgets for stewardship activities.

2. Property Management and Stewardship

• Supervise and implement stewardship activities on NCC properties and adopt innovative solutions to address threats to conservation targets;
• Monitor conservation easements, leases and life estates, including on-going land-owner relations;
• Work with the public and partners to abate critical threats and liability issues on NCC lands and lead Conservation Volunteer events, with support from NCC Ontario’s Conservation Coordinator;
• 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 Information System is populated with accurate and complete sub regional stewardship 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) are administered in a timely fashion.

3. Development and Fundraising

• Identify new resources, prospects and programs to help achieve strategic conservation goals;

• Assist the Program Director in advising Development staff of funding priorities, amounts and deadlines for ongoing stewardship needs;
• Assist regional staff and local fundraising volunteers to identify, cultivate, request and report on funds from both existing donors and new prospects, including individuals, businesses, foundations, government sources, and non-government organizations including cottager associations;
• Assist with property tours for donors, partners or the media;
• Assist in writing communications material.

4. Community and Partnership Liaison

• Maintain positive, productive and open relationships with neighbouring landowners, lessees, project volunteers and local partner organizations and agencies;
• Represent NCC in 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.

5. Other

• Work with the Program Director and others to coordinate and manage contractors, suppliers and seasonal technicians working on science, stewardship and other initiatives in the Central Ontario-East sub region;
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Director or Ontario Director of Conservation.

Skills and Aptitudes:

• A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in ecology, conservation biology or related discipline with 3-5 years of directly related experience;
• Knowledge of the Napanee Plain and Eastern Lake Ontario Coast landscapes and the conservation of its biodiversity;
• Demonstrated experience with Miradi and preparation of Natural Area Conservation Plans;
• Demonstrated experience with Ecological Land Classification;
• Superior botanical, terrestrial and/or aquatic species inventory and identification skills;
• Demonstrated experience with planning and implementing of direct habitat restoration tools and techniques;
• Familiar with COSEWIC and COSSARO designated species and recovery plans;
• Familiar with Ontario’s Natural Heritage Information Centre and other sources of biodiversity information;
• Knowledge of the principles of conservation biology and planning;
• Demonstrated experience in researching and reporting on conservation projects;
• Experience in delivering land/resource management programs in a rural community;
• Previous experience working with land owners to implement land use/land management changes preferred;
• Project management skills, including excellent problem solving, planning and organizational skills, and attention to detail and timelines;
• Demonstrated ability to supervise staff and to help manage and report on their time;
• Demonstrated ability to organize and supervise volunteers;
• Comfort working in a team setting and capable of easily communicating with a wide range of people from the public and private sectors and local First Nations;
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written;
• Flexibility, reliability, self-motivation, and ability to work independently;
• Proficient with MS Office Suite;
• Entrepreneurial, with a strong ability to prepare and manage timelines, goals and expectations wisely;
• Must be prepared to travel, work flexible hours at times and work in remote and rugged areas;
• Must have a valid class “G” driver’s license and ability to rent a vehicle in Ontario;
• Must have their own reliable transportation;
• Committed to the cause and mission of the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

How to Apply

NCC is an equal opportunity employer. If you are interested in joining our team, please submit your cover letter, resume and salary expectations through our Career Centre.

Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.

Application Deadline: May 30, 2023 (11:59 p.m. EDT)

NCC welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

We value and incorporate diverse traditions, heritage, knowledge and experiences in our mission and in our workplaces. We celebrate the full participation of people from all walks of life as we work towards common goals. We strive for a conservation movement in which equity, diversity and inclusion are the norm. This is our continuous commitment: to promote healthy people, healthy communities and a healthy planet for everyone.

At the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) we strive to promote diversity in the workplace and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.

NCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, we will provide accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process. If selected to participate in the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please inform Human Resources staff of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require.