OFFICE LOCATION
Toledo, Ohio, USA
Northwest Ohio is the preferred location for this position. Other locations may be considered.
A LITTLE ABOUT US
Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive.
We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. Whether it’s career development, work/life balance, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all of our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued.
Although you’ll see requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Passion, innovation, and diversity are all key components to advancing our Mission and we encourage you to apply.
All TNC staff based in the U.S. or a U.S. Territory are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of receiving one of the vaccines approved in the U.S. (Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson) shall be condition of employment and must be provided prior to starting work. TNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and reasonable accommodations for candidates who cannot be vaccinated due to a valid medical or religious reason will be considered.
YOUR POSITION WITH TNC
The Restoration Ecologist will provide technical leadership and support to advance TNC Ohio’s natural infrastructure strategy, focused on restoring wetlands, floodplains, and riparian corridors to improve streams and lakes impacted by nutrients. Ohio is rich in important water resources, and growing awareness of threats to drinking water, and support for water quality improvements is driving new opportunities for conservation throughout the region that will benefit nature and human wellbeing. TNC has developed science-based, ambitious goals to restore target watersheds most impacted by nutrient enrichment specifically within the western Lake Erie, Scioto, and Great Miami watersheds. The Restoration Ecologist will work to address these critical threats and coordinate community support. They will implement strategies to secure public and private support for TNC priorities to maximize conservation outcomes. They will manage the planning and implementation of multiple restoration projects across the state of Ohio, including ongoing efforts on the Lake Erie coast. They will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, celebrates innovation, values collaboration, and seeks lasting conservation results. They will report to the Natural Infrastructure Director. Northwest Ohio is the preferred location for this position, but other locations may be considered.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Primary responsibilities involve identifying, evaluating, and managing multiple restoration projects, including developing concept plans, reviewing and implementing design plans, developing scopes of work, budgets, requests for proposals, contracts, and grant applications, coordinating and overseeing contractors, and performing ecological assessments. Additional functions include building relationships with and capacity of partners, coordinating community support, assisting with accessing funding to advance projects, and meeting deadlines, all in coordination with TNC staff and partners to implement successful projects.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Manages all elements of restoration planning and projects.
- Under minimal supervision, makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
- Financial responsibilities include developing and managing budgets and negotiating and contracting with vendors.
- Ensures project compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
- Gains cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain under physically demanding circumstances.
- May supervise staff/volunteers.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in ecological restoration or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience with effectively collaborating, proactively growing a network of partners, and managing contractors on all aspects of restoration projects.
- Experience negotiating.
- Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timelines.
- Experience with Microsoft applications and GPS, and familiarity with ESRI products.
- Must have, or when appropriate be able to obtain a valid driver’s license.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Proficiency with ESRI products.
- Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Ability to apply science in decision-making and to guide activities.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and natural resource preservation.
- Experience in plant management, wetland and stream delineations and assessments, and restoration design.
- Experience with grant writing and preparing scopes of work for stream and wetland restoration, enhancement, or re-establishment.
- Experience with contract preparation and management, contractor oversight, budget management, and permitting processes.
- Proficiency in developing and implementing monitoring protocols to evaluate project performance and success criteria.
- Demonstrated understanding of ecological processes influencing coastal, wetland, and stream ecosystems in Ohio.
- Experience developing and managing multiple projects, including ability to create and meet timelines.
- Excellent communication skills via written, spoken, and graphical means in English.
- Boat operator certification and experience.
AUTO SAFETY POLICY
This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered “high risk drivers.” To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.
Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee’s motor vehicle record.
SALARY INFORMATION
The starting salary for this position is $56,500 and is commensurate with experience.
APPLY NOW
To apply for job ID 50193, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on October 29, 2021. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact [email protected].
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
