[Sust-mar] Land Stewardship Coordinator, f/t, Nova Scotia Nature Trust, Halifax, Nova Scotia

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Position: Land Stewardship Coordinator
Type: 18-month contract
Organization: Nova Scotia Nature Trust http://www.nsnt.ca
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Nature Trust

The Nature Trust is a land conservation charity dedicated to protecting Nova Scotia’s most important natural areas, through private land conservation. Our mission is positive and action-oriented—protection and stewardship of our most special places, and educating and engaging Nova Scotians in nature conservation. With more than 20 years of experience in land conservation, we have a proven track record in protecting this province’s natural legacy, with over 9000 acres of outstanding conservation lands on more than 70 conservation sites throughout the province.

Position Summary

We are currently seeking the ideal candidate to fill an 18 month contract for our Land Stewardship Coordinator. The Coordinator is a key member of the conservation team with program management responsibilities.

The Coordinator is responsible for the management and stewardship of the Nature Trust’s conservation lands, and for resolving stewardship issues that arise on our properties. For new properties being protected by the Nature Trust, the Coordinator helps in the creation of baselines studies and long-term stewardship and management plans. The Coordinator also maintains important relationships with property landowners, neighbours, conservation partners, and local communities around our protected areas. The Coordinator also manages our volunteer field program.

The ideal candidate is an energetic, physically fit, and self-motivated individual with a solid, practical background in biology/ecology. They are comfortable out in the field and highly personable. He or she is passionate about conservation, with an aptitude for working in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple priorities and changing deadlines. Excellent planning and organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to prepare and manage timelines, goals, and expectations wisely are crucial.

The Coordinator works cooperatively and collaboratively within the Conservation Team of staff, volunteers, contractors and science advisors, and reports to the Conservation Manager and the Nature Trust Properties Committee.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Stewardship Support for Land Securement
• Coordinate ecological surveys of potential and existing conservation properties
• Complete comprehensive baseline reports for properties being protected

Property Stewardship Planning and Management
• Develop, review, and update stewardship plans for Nature Trust conservation lands
• Implement stewardship activities on Nature Trust lands as outlined in the stewardship plan to ensure protection of the sites’ natural values
• Manage land use of Nature Trust properties (such as educational or recreational use)
• Identify need for and implement ecological monitoring and habitat restoration or active /adaptive management on Nature Trust properties
• Complete regular monitoring visits to Nature Trust properties

Stewardship Issue Resolution
• Resolve land management issues and address conservation easement violations on Nature Trust conservation lands
• Review and make recommendations to the Conservation Manager on landowner requests for easement amendments or to exercise reserved rights

Conservation Planning / Science
• Research, review and incorporate the latest conservation science into the Nature Trust’s stewardship program
• Keep up-to-date on Land Trust Standards and Practices and best practices, protected areas planning and land and habitat management. Recommend relevant policies, protocols and strategies as required to keep the Nature Trust at the forefront of effective conservation and stewardship.

Partnerships, Relationships, and Education
• Participate in relevant provincial conservation and stewardship initiatives and committees (working groups, workshops, report drafting/reviews, etc.)
• Maintain a strong and engaged scientific/conservation expert network for the Nature Trust
• Establish and maintain positive and productive relationships with easement landowners, partner conservation organizations, and local communities that help to foster effective stewardship of Nature Trust conservation lands
• Identify opportunities for developing new partnerships and relationships to further the stewardship program
• Undertake broad community-based management planning and consultation where required to resolve long-standing or challenging stewardship issues
• Identify opportunities to promote a stewardship ethic in Nova Scotia
• Represent the Nature Trust as appropriate within the conservation community

Property Guardian Program
• Recruit, train, support, coordinate, appreciate, and maintain communications with volunteer Property Guardians and other field volunteers
• Develop and maintain partnerships with organizations to take on Guardianship of Nature Trust properties

Communications and Fundraising Support
• Oversee the property signage program (interpretive and boundary)
• Support outreach, communications, and public relations efforts of the Nature Trust through event participation, public speaking, communications strategizing, social media, and supporting media relations, press releases, articles and publications
• Collaborate with and support fundraising efforts to raise public and private funds for conservation objectives (grant-writing/reporting, attending events, supporting donor tours of properties)

Program Coordination and Administration
• Develop, implement and regularly evaluate annual program plans
• Liaise with and report to the Properties Committee, Conservation Director and/or Conservation Manager, and Executive Director as appropriate regarding the stewardship program
• Manage stewardship budgets and reporting
• Oversee maintenance of property records and volunteer program records

Requirements/Competencies/Education/Experience:
• University or College graduate from a Natural Sciences Program; with a focus on biology, ecology, environmental studies or closely related field
• At least 5 years of experience in a related field;
• Basic GIS skills: Ability to prepare and produce maps and organize field GPS collected data and experience with ESRI GIS software;
• Field survey skills: Ability to interpret aerial photography, topographic and other field/ecological maps. Ability to use a GPS and compass. Landscape and ecological interpretation, flora and fauna identification abilities, habitat classification abilities. Experience conducting field work and data collection in a variety of terrains, habitat types and adverse conditions; Ideally comfortable undertaking field work alone;
• Ecological and conservation knowledge within a NS context: Familiarity with Nova Scotia natural landscapes, habitats, natural communities and species, particularly rare and outstanding ecological features. Experience working/networking within the ecological/scientific community of Nova Scotia;
• Communication skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Experience with public speaking and leading guided walks and outings. The ability to communicate easily with a wide range of people;
• Independent and self-motivated: Demonstrated ability to work independently (with attention to detail), seek assistance and input as required, and to work on interdisciplinary teams;
• Relationship building: Great teamwork skills and the ability to develop and maintain positive partnerships with a range of groups from a variety of backgrounds including neighbours and local communities, provincial and municipal staff and planners, and conservation partners. The ability to build and maintain effective partnerships to achieve the organization’s goals;
• Report writing: The ability to organize and present information clearly. The ability to compile, interpret and clearly present information from a variety of sources (ecological contractors, legal agreements, property databases, volunteer reports, etc);
• Conflict Resolution skills: Excellent diplomacy, problem solving and conflict resolution skills especially those related to land management;
• Project Management: Ability to track and report activities, prepare budgets and annual program plans, meet deadlines, juggle priorities, manage personnel, and adapt to changing situations. Superior time management skills;
• Land Trust experience: Knowledge of land trust standards and practices in land stewardship and management;
• Strong interest in the environmental field and the vision and mission of Nova Scotia Nature Trust;
• The willingness and ability to travel and work flexible hours at times, including overnight trips
• A valid Class 5 Driver’s License;

Other Relevant Experience 
• Knowledge of/familiarity with relevant provincial legislation and regulations
• Experience drafting/interpreting legal and other real estate documents (easements, deeds, appraisals, surveys)
• Familiarity with property transactions (land ownership & title, land claims, registration, Properties Online, etc.)
• Experience working for a non-profit/NGO/charity

Application procedure

Please send a resume, three professional references (name/contact info.), and cover letter to:

Alice Morgan
Nova Scotia Nature Trust
PO Box 2202 Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3C4
alice at nsnt.ca

Due to the anticipated number of applicants, only successful candidates will be notified if they qualify for an interview. 

Term: The position will begin as soon as possible until September 2016.

Closing date: Applications will be accepted until such time as the position is filled.

Salary: $35,000 - $48,000

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