Coordinator, Conservation Biology (Acting) – Midwestern Ontario

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (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 2.8 million acres (more than 1.1 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.

Purpose and General Description

The Coordinator, Conservation Biology (Acting) – Midwestern Ontario (MWO), supports the Program Director in conservation efforts in the Midwestern Ontario sub-region. MWO encompasses an area stretching south toward London, east toward Collingwood, and west to Lake Huron, running north to include the Bruce Peninsula, and Manitoulin and surrounding islands (ecological districts 6E-1, 6E-2, 6E-4, 6E-5, 6E-14 and 6E-17). The objective of the program is the delivery of the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s (NCC) mission of protecting biological diversity through strategic, science-based land conservation and stewardship. The Coordinator, Conservation Biology (Acting) is responsible for the stewardship and administration of NCC properties and contributes to strategic conservation planning by working with staff and partners to identify other significant areas of biological diversity in the MWO sub-region. Emphasis for this position will be placed on stewardship of NCC’s lands in the Maitland River Valley and Manitoulin Island, and the successful candidate will also work closely with the Coordinator, Conservation Biology for the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula to provide support to other Natural Areas within the MWO sub-region.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Conservation Science & Planning

• Coordinate the preparation of baseline inventories, interim stewardship statements, property management plans, baseline documentation reports and Natural Area Conservation Plans;
• Manage the field work and reporting required to develop and implement Property Management Plans for NCC owned properties;
• Manage conservation easements, including on-going land-owner relations and assessment of potential easement projects;
• Coordinate the funding and implementation of priority research and management activities;
• Work with the public and partners to abate critical threats and liability issues on NCC lands;
• Assess the biological and strategic values of lands under consideration for securement;
• Ensure the short and long term protection of conservation targets on NCC owned properties;
• 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, and contractors; and,
• Coordinate Conservation Volunteers events, in consultation with the provincial Conservation Coordinator.

2. Property Administration

• Ensure that accurate and current baseline 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 Information System is populated with accurate and complete data for the MWO sub region, including required digital layers;
• Ensure all liability issues are dealt with promptly and accurate records are maintained for insurance related matters; and,
• Ensure that conditions of all agreements (e.g. landholding agreements, invoicing for farm agreements and maintenance of right-of-ways, etc.) are administered in a timely fashion.

3. Development and Fundraising

• Identify new resources 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, and request funds from both existing donors and new prospects, including individuals, businesses, foundations, government sources, and non-government organizations; and,
• Assist with property tours for donors, partners or the media.

4. Reporting & Business Planning

• Develop annual work plans and budgets for stewardship and science activities; and,
• Provide timely reports as required to regional and national Boards and to partners and donors.

5. Community and Partnership Liaison

• Maintain positive, productive and open relationships with landowners, lessees, project volunteers and local planning authorities in the sub region;
• Foster positive relationships with private and public property landowners within priority landscapes in the MWO sub region through personal contact, workshops, program newsletters and other innovative approaches;
• Represent NCC on specific committees and at meetings or workshops related to land management and conservation as required;
• Assist the Program Director in the development of new Natural Area Conservation Plans;
• Communicate regularly with NCC stewards to develop and maintain good working relations; and,
• 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.

6. 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 MWO sub region; and,
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Director or Ontario Director of Conservation.

Required Skills and Attributes

• A Bachelor’s Degree in ecology, conservation biology or related discipline with 3-5 years of directly related experience;
• Knowledge of the Lower Maitland River Valley, the Manitoulin Island Archipelago and Saugeen Bruce Peninsula landscapes and the conservation of their biodiversity;
• Demonstrated experience with Ecological Land Classification;
• Superior botanical, wildlife and/or aquatic inventory and identification skills;
• Familiarity with COSEWIC and COSSARO designated species and recovery plans;
• Familiarity 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 compiling information and reporting on natural areas;
• Experience implementing natural area management plans;
• Experience in delivering land/resource management programs in a rural community;
• Experience working with landowners 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 manage staff and/or volunteers;
• Comfort working in a team setting and capable of easily communicating with a wide range of people from the public and private sectors;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Flexibility, reliability, self-motivation, and ability to work independently;
• Proficiency 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.

This is a contract position during a parental leave.

To Apply

1. Fill out our brief questionnaire: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/76Y3H3Z
2. Email your application to the email address provided at the end of the questionnaire.

To be considered for this positions, please ensure your:

- email subject line is “Coordinator, Conservation Biology (Acting), Midwestern Ontario”
- cover letter is a maximum of one page long
- cover letter and résumé are saved together in one pdf file
- pdf file name is your: First name Last name (e.g. “Jane Smith.pdf”)

Applications that do not fulfil these submission requirements will not be considered.

Application Deadline: December 15, 2017 (11:59 p.m. EST)

Late applications will not be considered.

No telephone calls please.

We thank everyone who applies for their interest in the Nature Conservancy of Canada; however only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

For positions situated in Ontario:
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.