Invasive Species Program Coordinator
Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Invasive Species Program Coordinator to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.
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 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.
Overview:
Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity on NCC lands and in NCC’s Natural Areas in Ontario. Aggressive and ongoing control based on the latest tools and strategies is necessary to maintain and restore Natural Area conservation targets. This position will support the Midwestern Ontario Program Director in leading an invasive species management project within the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula (SBP) Natural Area that mitigates threats to habitat and species targets across the priority Natural Area. The role will coordinate contractors, external partners, including NGOs, government agencies, Conservation Authorities, landowners and landowner groups, and other interest groups, to collaboratively manage invasive species at a landscape scale. The position will work closely with the Midwestern Ontario Program Director and regional staff to deliver ongoing invasive species management projects on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula and across Ontario including NCC’s Phragmites management programs.
Key Responsibilities:
• Coordinate the implementation of landscape-scale control of invasive species, focusing on Phragmites, Garlic Mustard, Common Buckthorn, and Dog-strangling Vine in NCC’s Saugeen Bruce Peninsula Natural Area;
• Organize and lead the delivery of a multi-stakeholder initiative to control Phragmites and other priority invasives within the watersheds of the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula region, using and building on the collaborative strength of the community-based Invasive Species Taskforce. Develop and maintain strong partnerships, successful public awareness and outreach strategies and use innovative management techniques to deliver a highly-effective landowner support and extension program for invasive control on private and public lands;
• Undertake communication and outreach efforts and support adaptive management through networks of partners, stakeholders and landowners;
• Navigate, acquire and interpret government policy, necessary permits and ensure associated compliance to achieve tangible results on the ground;
• Provide project management and administrative support to the Midwestern Ontario Program Director including grant preparation and reporting, budget management and internal conservation planning and tracking;
• Manage project-level finances and reporting for a budget of several hundred thousand dollars annually under direction of the Midwestern Ontario Program Director.
Key Result Areas:
• Immediate key results for this position will be the coordination and successful implementation of the multi-stakeholder initiative to control Phragmites and other priority invasive species within the watersheds of the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula Natural Area, including engagement of 100s of private and public landowners in the SBP Natural Area annually;
Knowledge and Experience:
• Knowledge of invasive species management principles and practices including emerging threats, control techniques and impacts to biodiversity;
• Understanding of the natural heritage and biodiversity found on the SBP; particularly wetland and alvar species and habitats;
• Familiarity with COSEWIC and COSSARO designated species and recovery plans as they relate to habitat restoration and invasive species impacts;
• Familiarity with Ontario’s Natural Heritage Information Centre and other sources of biodiversity information;
• Experience working in remote field conditions under adverse conditions (rain, bugs, hot/cold temperatures, snow/ice etc.);
• Ability to travel within Ontario and the flexibility to work long hours at times.
Community and Partnership Liaison:
• The most complex partnership responsibility the incumbent would be required to achieve is to positively engage stakeholders including private citizens, ENGO’s, all levels of government and other landowners in a control program to ensure high levels of participation, which is necessary to achieve true landscape scale control of Phragmites and other priority invasive species;
• Other primary responsibilities include navigating complex and thorough permit requirements, supervising contractors, seasonal technicians, ensuring clean equipment protocols are used, reporting back to program participants and donors and updating NCC internal stewardship tracking systems.
Skills and Aptitude:
• College diploma or University degree in natural resource management or related field;
• Minimum 5 years direct practical experience in invasive species management and/or habitat restoration;
• Strong communications and collaboration skills to create positive and productive working relationships with First Nations, diverse groups and stakeholders;
• Creative analytical skills and the ability to adapt and problem solve to achieve success under challenging conditions and diverse rules and processes;
• Strong project management and reporting skills, including financial budgeting, tracking and reporting, and the ability to manage numerous agreements and deliverables simultaneously;
• Facilitation, negotiation and team building skills that support and accommodate diverse values and capacities;
• Demonstrated ability to supervise staff and/or volunteers;
• Entrepreneurial, with a strong ability to prepare and manage timelines, goals and expectations wisely;
• Priorities will generally be set by the incumbent in liaison with the Midwestern Ontario Program Director;
• Demonstrated experience working with hand and power tools, large machinery, boats, tractors, ATVs and habitat restoration equipment;
• Mechanical aptitude and resourcefulness to undertake minor/field repairs in order to maintain project timelines is considered an asset;
• Pesticide Exterminator License and an understanding of Integrated Pest Management practices or the ability to obtain;
• Valid Ontario Pleasure Craft Operators License and experience operating large and small watercraft or the ability to obtain;
• Valid Ontario “G” Class Driver’s License;
• Committed to the cause and mission of the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
This is a 2-Year Contract (with the possibility of extension)
Application Deadline: January 17, 2020 (11:59 p.m. ET)
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 (www.natureconservancy.ca/en/who-we-are/work-with-us).
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.
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