Program Coordinator – Large Landscapes

Time frame: 2-year contract, with probable extension

Location: Hastings County & surrounding area, Ontario

Salary:  $52,130 – $63,610

Overview:

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 Coordinator – Large Landscapes to join the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.

Since 1962 NCC and its supporters have protected 14 million hectares (more than 35 million acres) 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.

Ontario’s Large Landscapes program is a rapidly growing area of our business focused on conserving lands larger than 5,000 ha to help Canada reach its goal to protect or conserve 30% of lands and waters by 2030. There are few countries on Earth where large landscapes remain undeveloped. Here in Canada, we have a rare opportunity to make a tangible difference through land conservation to combat climate change and biodiversity loss at a global scale.

The Program Coordinator – Large Landscapes supports the Program Director in conservation efforts across Ontario. This position requires an entrepreneurial individual who is willing to learn and work quickly on a variety of business areas from large land stewardship and management, Indigenous engagement, partner and neighbour outreach, conservation planning, and assistance with land securement including learning and testing new conservation tools and methods. A significant focus of the work will be on the stewardship and management of NCC’s Large Landscape properties in the Central Ontario Corridors Natural Area. Top priorities on these properties currently include invasive species control, visitor management, and community engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Conservation Planning and Property Management
• Coordinate the preparation of baseline inventories and property management plans, and assist with writing and implementing Natural Area Conservation Plans;
• Coordinate and implement stewardship activities on NCC Large Landscape properties in the Central Ontario Corridors Natural Area including invasive species control, visitor management issues and liability issues;
• Work with the Program Director and others to coordinate and manage contractors, suppliers and seasonal technicians;
• Explore novel approaches to land management on large landholdings;
• Work with administrative and GIS staff to ensure the enrollment of all NCC eligible properties into applicable tax incentive or reduction programs;
• Ensure that various systems (GIS, Land Information System) are populated with accurate and complete stewardship data;
• Develop annual work plans and budgets for stewardship activities.

2. Community Outreach and Partnership Building
• Build and maintain long-term, meaningful, and respectful relationships with local Indigenous communities; explore opportunities for supporting Indigenous-led conservation; support community priorities;
• Build and maintain positive and productive relationships with neighbouring landowners, lessees (e.g. hunting groups), and local partner organizations and agencies;
• Establish property volunteer and/or property stewards networks;
• Represent NCC in appropriate external relations and communications functions, including public speaking, meetings, and media relations.

3. Land Securement Support
• Support the Program Director in identifying new Large Landscape conservation opportunities including privately protected areas (purchase, donation, conservation easement), opportunities on public lands, Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), etc.;
• Support the maintenance and population of a database of Ontario Large Landscape opportunities;
• Support the Program Director in the completion of key securement documents and tasks (e.g. Conservation Project Summaries);
• Support conservation finance projects on Large Landscape properties to accelerate the pace of NCC’s conservation work.

4. Development and Fundraising Support
• Assist the Program Director in advising the Director of Development & Communications 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 including cottager associations;
• Assist with property tours for donors, partners or the media;
• Assist in writing communications materials.

5. Other
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Director, Manager of Science and Stewardship, or Director of Conservation.

Position Requirements:
• A degree or diploma in a relevant field (e.g. environmental science, sustainability, GIS, business) with 3-5 years of applicable work experience;
• Experience engaging with Indigenous communities and governments;
• Experience in delivering land/resource management programs in remote or rural areas;
• Experience with project management, including excellent problem solving, planning and organizational skills, and attention to detail and timelines;
• Competency in species identification and biological inventory;
• Knowledge of or experience with invasive plant control methods, visitor management, liability management, restoration, and other best practices for land management;
• Knowledge of various Ontario landscapes across the Great Lakes St. – Lawrence, Canadian Shield and boreal forest, and best practices for their conservation;
• Knowledge of or experience with:
o Conservation Standards
o Forests Resources Inventory
o Ecological Land Classification
o ArcGIS Online, Collector, and/or other GIS applications
o COSEWIC and COSSARO
o NatureServe, NHIC, ebird, iNaturalist
• Entrepreneurial, hard-working, and a self-starter with a talent for managing timelines, goals and expectations wisely;
• Confident and enthusiastic about interacting with members of the public, Indigenous communities, partner organizations, and volunteers;
• A community connector who eager to bring people together to achieve the best outcomes for both conservation and people;
• Prepared to travel regularly, work flexible hours including occasional evenings and weekends, and work in remote and rugged areas;
• Able to work independently and foster strong connections with colleagues and partners from a remote office;
• A valid class “G” driver’s license and ability to rent a vehicle in Ontario;
• Access to a reliable vehicle (when renting isn’t feasible);
• Access to an appropriate remote workspace.

This is a full-time 2-year contract (with probable extension, and possible advancement) based remotely out of Hastings County or the surrounding area.

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 by 11:59 p.m. EST, February 16, 2022.

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.

Please note that in-person office attendance, carpooling with co-workers to NCC properties or events, and in-person attendance at any indoor events are currently restricted to staff who are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Accordingly, if you are required to participate in any of these activities as part of your job the expectation is that you must be fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated means you have received two doses of the Pfizer, Astra Zeneca or Moderna vaccine or combination of, and have received the second dose at least two weeks prior to your start date or you have received one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two weeks prior to your start date.