The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is a private, non-profit organization that prides itself on its entrepreneurial, science-based approach to achieving conservation success through direct action. Since 1962, NCC and its supporters have protected more than 2.6 million acres (1 million hectares) of ecologically significant land across Canada. NCC has experienced dramatic growth in recent years, and is now listed as the 13th largest non-profit organization in Canada, with a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country.

Purpose and General Description:

NCC’s National Coordinator, Conservation Planning coordinates development and approval of Regional conservation plans (i.e. Natural Area Conservation Plans, NACPs), reporting on annual progress in NACP implementation (i.e. Annual Progress Reports, APRs), and the scientific review of Conservation Project Summaries (CPS) for proposed land securement projects. In so doing the Coordinator ensures that projects are strategically aligned with NCC’s mission and informed by the best available scientific information.

Grade: 4

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Natural Area Conservation Planning (30%)

• Coordinate National staff NACP approval process including internal peer review, revisions, and editorials to ensure that NACPs are based on sound scientific information and focus on enhancing viability and reducing threats to biodiversity targets
• Provide training to new NACP peer reviewers
• Prepare NACPs for review by National Board’s Conservation Committee and work with regional staff to incorporate requested revisions
• Identify opportunities to create efficiencies in NACP approvals

2. NACP Annual Progress Reporting (30%)

• Maintain a schedule of APR submissions to ensure timely and comprehensive tracking of progress implementing NACPs
• Provide training to new APR authors
• Work with regional staff to resolve any information gaps, identify adaptive management opportunities, and ensure consistency in APR reporting
• Summarize APR reporting for NCC’s Conservation Committee
• Identify opportunities to create efficiencies in APR reporting

3. Scientific review of CPS documents (20%)

• Review CPS Case for Conservation to ensure that projects are strategically aligned with NCC’s mission (including the project’s associated NACP and Conservation Blueprint)
• Ensure that CPS biodiversity information is accurate and comprehensive

4. Research trends and best practices for conservation planning (15%)

• Identify and communicate best practices from NCC’s existing NACPs and APRs
• Use NCC’s Land Information System (LIS) to track trends in NACPs and their implementation, and inform future conservation planning and reporting
• Identify conservation planning best practices from other agencies (e.g. TNC, Parks Canada, IUCN, WWF) to advance conservation planning at NCC

5. Other duties as assigned (5%)

Required Skills and Attributes:

Competencies Required:

This is a relatively demanding position requiring diverse competencies, including:

• Broad knowledge of conservation science, planning and stewardship
• Ability to critically review and support conservation projects representing Canada’s diversity of ecosystems
• Ability to assess scientific merit of conservation planning documents using prescriptive and non-prescriptive approaches
• Technical knowledge related to natural areas conservation
• Ability to work independently; a high-achieving, forward-thinking, self-starter
• Excellent interpersonal skills including experience and proven results in working tactfully and persuasively with colleagues toward common goals, and influencing staff with whom there is not a direct reporting relationship
• Exemplary organizational and editorial skills; exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to review and analyse English and French-language conservation documents
• A strong commitment to the cause and mission of the Nature Conservancy of Canada

Education and Experience Required:

• University degree in landscape ecology, conservation biology, environmental sciences or related field
• Working knowledge of Canadian landscapes, communities and conservation issues
• Minimum 5 years conservation work experience; practical experience in conservation planning, landscape ecology, natural heritage, or equivalent multi-disciplinary field
• Experience working in English and French languages (preferred).

To Apply:

If you are interested in joining our team, by January 10^th please e-mail your résumé and cover letter and the names and email addresses of three references in one document (MS Word or PDF), indicating “Conservation Planning” in the subject line tocareers@natureconservancy.ca. References will not be contacted without prior notice to applicants.

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