Conservation Coordinator in Charleston, South Carolina

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact for people and nature around the world in 69 countries, all 50 United States, major US cities and in your neighborhood. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we are committed to a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Visit www.nature.org/aboutus to learn more.

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Conservation Coordinator provides technical leadership and support to help implement a suite of protection strategies, with a primary focus on managing the conservation easement compliance monitoring program for 150+ properties totaling over 165,000 acres in South Carolina. S/he will support the Director of Land Protection with tracking new land acquisition projects, conducting baseline documentation reports, and managing contracts on easement and preserve lands.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Coordinator provides technical leadership and support to the South Carolina Chapter by managing the statewide conservation easement compliance program. S/he ensures that annual monitoring reports are completed and reported in a timely manner for all properties where the Conservancy holds a conservation easement or deed restriction in accordance with established TNC standard operating procedures. In addition, the Conservation Coordinator is responsible for conducting baseline and annual monitoring and submitting reports for a number of properties in South Carolina. S/he provides leadership, training, and technical assistance regarding annual monitoring to landscape programs where necessary. Moreover, s/he routinely works with landscape staff, landowners and TNC attorneys to respond to easement interpretation questions, notices and to resolve issues regarding easement compliance issues and violations. In addition, this person works closely with science and stewardship staff to help support the Chapter’s Preserve properties including oversee contracts related to the management of those properties. The Conservation Coordinator will also support the SC land protection program to help protect ecologically important areas in South Carolina and employs a full range of protection tools to acquire different legal interests in land. Works with private landowners, government agencies, conservation partners and contractors to coordinate project details, to move towards closing.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE

• Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and judgment.
• Designs, implements and directs multiple complex projects, setting deadlines and ensuring program accountability and legal compliance.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in natural resource management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience interpreting legal documents, including deeds and conservation easements.
• Experience conducting field work (i.e., land management, ecological monitoring, etc.).
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
• Experience in basic cartography, ArcGIS and GPS.
• Must have valid driver's license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 3-5 years’ experience in natural resource management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and let science guide activities.
• Relationship building skills to work closely with a variety of partners and the public, i.e., media, government officials, internal scientists.
• Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English.
• Familiarity with principles of land acquisition and protection.
• Familiarity with the Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices.
• Familiarity with Microsoft SharePoint.
• Experiences creating and managing ArcMap Geo-databases and managing spatial datasets.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, ecological land management and natural resource preservation.

AUTO SAFETY POLICY

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with the Conservancy'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." Please see further details in the Auto Safety Program document available at www.nature.org/careers.

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.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply to position number 45177, submit resume (required) and cover letter separately using the upload buttons. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 10, 2017.

Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.

If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.*LI-

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of men and women of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of *The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.*

Job Title: Conservation Coordinator

Location: South Carolina

Job ID: 45177

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full/Part Time: Full-Time