Reports To: Executive Director
Location: Orillia, Ontario
Duration: 2-year contract with possibility of extension in third year, 3 month probation
The Couchiching Conservancy is a non-government, non-profit land trust with more than 9,500 acres of environmentally significant property under management in the Lake Couchiching region. The Conservancy’s mission is to protect important natural areas for future generations and it achieves that goal through a variety of means, including stewardship projects on both public and private lands.
The Project Coordinator will report to the Executive Director and work closely with the Carden Program Coordinator and the Stewardship Coordinator, coordinating the delivery of projects, including a major stewardship initiative in the Copeland Forest and individual stewardship projects on the Carden Plain. Project tasks include, but are not limited to, coordinating workshops, forums, stewardship activities, identifying and implementing stewardship projects and working with the general public, recreational groups, contractors, landowners, governments and conservation organizations.
Responsibilities
• Work with various stakeholders, businesses and user-groups to engage their participation in the development of a long-term community-based stewardship network that will carry out stewardship activities in the Copeland Forest ;
• Coordinate and implement workshops, training, forums, stewardship and other volunteer activities as required;
• Act as a point of contact to establish and strengthen relationships with the Copeland community to develop environmental leadership among organizations and individuals;
• Generate content for the web, e-newsletters, information packages and local newspapers related to the Copeland project;
• Work with private landowners, tenant ranchers, and aggregate producers on the Carden Plain to engage their participation in stewardship projects that will benefit grassland birds and species at risk;
• Oversee the implementation of stewardship/recovery projects on the Carden Plain such as fencing, improved water supplies, shrub thinning, and wetland restoration;
• Act as a point of contact for local landowners to provide information about conservation activities and to ensure that concerns are passed on to the appropriate person to be addressed;
• Identify opportunities for additional acquisition and stewardship projects on private lands for follow-up by the sponsoring organizations;
• Assist with the development and facilitation of community forums to encourage ongoing discussion of potential conflicts and the development of actions to reduce those conflicts;
• Prepare proposals and reports to funders to support project activities.
Skills
The ideal candidate will have:
• Post-secondary education in environmental sciences with emphasis on land conservation, stewardship and ecology.
• Experience working in the environmental field with emphasis on project coordination, land stewardship and program implementation.
• Demonstrated capability in working both independently and within a fast paced team environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task effectively, manage time constraints and meet deadlines with excellence.
• Progressive managerial responsibility with demonstrated well-developed decision making and problem solving skills.
• Excellent project management, prioritization and organizational skills.
• Ability to work on a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.
• Interest in developing skills on the job.
• Professional experience using Windows Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated commitment and passion for the protection of natural heritage, agricultural and cultural landscapes.
• Knowledge of the not-for-profit community and/or charitable organizations is an asset
Anticipated start date: May 30, 2011
Compensation: $644/wk plus limited benefits
We thank all applicants for their interest in the position. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please forward your résumé in confidence to mbisset@couchconservancy.ca by Friday, May 6, 2011.
