Freshwater Project Coordinator

Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 74 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

The Freshwater Project Coordinator advances the Conservancy’s resilient infrastructure and aquatic connectivity priorities through coordinating a diverse set of stakeholders, planning and prioritization, providing technical support, and facilitating the implementation of high-priority climate-resilient road-stream crossings. This position will contribute to building a model regional partnership in the Adirondack region of New York.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Freshwater Project Coordinator (FPC) provides technical leadership and support to the New York Division of The Nature Conservancy. The FPC will expand an existing program in the Adirondack region of New York to reduce barriers to aquatic connectivity and make infrastructure more resilient to flooding. The FPC will work with municipalities to assess, prioritize, and replace undersized and vulnerable culverts with structures that mitigate flooding, allow for natural stream flow, and provide fish and wildlife passage. The FPC will develop partnerships with state and federal agencies, municipal transportation departments, conservation organizations, towns, counties, and universities to build capacity for executing resilient infrastructure. The FPC will prioritize projects using statewide data, field assessments, and community outreach; identify funding opportunities and develop proposals with partners; and provide technical expertise to stakeholders, including support for implementation. The FPC will coordinate information sharing on best practices, funding opportunities, and science with local and state partners, and will participate in cross-site learning among a community of practitioners across New York and the northeastern U.S. The FPC will think creatively about how to scale up and leverage current efforts to improve aquatic connectivity through infrastructure redesign, and will contribute to statewide projects aiming to elevate resilient infrastructure across New York.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE

Manages the Conservancy’s Adirondack aquatic connectivity partnerships and projects.
Serves as a subject matter expert in at least one of the following: stream hydrology, geomorphology, aquatic ecology, fisheries, engineering, transportation planning and design, or similar field.
Fosters effective partnerships with federal and state agencies, municipal transportation departments, conservation groups, citizen scientists, and other organizations to implement key strategies.
Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
Manages a budget and assists with budget development and meeting fundraising targets.
Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in a relevant field (for example, but not limited to natural resource management, ecology, hydrology, transportation planning and design, geomorphology, fisheries) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience building and maintaining positive working relationships with a variety of partners (for example, state agency staff, engineers, local government officials, scientists, media).
Experience managing complex projects.
Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means.
Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, databases, web browsers, etc.
Must have valid driver’s license and good driving record.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
Graduate degree in a related science/management/policy field and 3-5 years’ experience.
Experience with field methods and/or freshwater science related to road-stream crossing design and engineering.
Knowledge of current trends and practices in ecology and transportation.
Field experience (for example, but not limited to data collection, project implementation, resource management, research).
Extensive project management experience.
Experience working in partnership with the transportation sector.
Experience manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting data.
Experience with GIS, GPS, and using handheld data collectors.
Experience fundraising, including grant writing.
Experience managing federal and state grants.
Ability and willingness to apply science to decision making and to guide activities.

AUTO SAFETY POLICY

This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with the Conservancy’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.” Please see further details in the Auto Safety Program document available at www.nature.org/careers.

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.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply to position number 48621, submit resume (required) and cover letter separately using the upload buttons. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 26, 2020.

Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.

If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contact [email protected].

POSITION TYPE

Full-Time

ORGANIZATION TYPE

NGO/Civil Society

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

3-4 Years

DEGREE REQUIRED

Bachelor's (Or Equivalent)

IHE Delft Institute for Water Education - MSc in Water and Sustainable Development

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