[PCA] JOB: Land Conservation Specialist (Jacksonville, FL)

[Olivia Kwong]

The Nature Conservancy

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE:  LAND CONSERVATION SPECIALIST
JOB FAMILY:  Conservation
JOB NUMBER:  450004
SALARY GRADE:  5
FLSA STATUS:  Exempt
SUPERVISOR:  Northeast Florida Program Director
LOCATION: Jacksonville, FL
DATE PREPARED:  November 29, 2007 (updated)


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The Land Conservation Specialist develops, manages and advances 
conservation programs, plans and methods for small-scale and large-scale 
ecoregions.  Provides technical leadership and support to the OU or 
region.  This may include one or more of the following functions:
*Plans and directs preserve management programs and stewardship
*Addresses critical threats to natural systems and individual species
*Fosters cross-site learning among conservation community
*Supplies ecoregional planning teams with information for site portfolios
*Develops and implements conservation strategies
*Furthers the Conservancy's strategic goals by employ land protection 
strategies
*Coordinates community support
*Implements  preserve management plans
*Removes exotic species and/or monitors & researches species
*Maintains tools and equipment

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
*Assist in the implementation and coordination of a set of conservation 
strategies defined by the St. Mary's/Sea Islands Conservation Area Plan.
   -Write, implement and coordinate the management and restoration through 
the Machaba Balu Management Plan.
   -Work toward the implementation of the Conservancy of invasive programs 
with partners like the Preservation Project, St. Johns River Water 
Management District, and Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 
the National Park Service and the University of North Florida.
*Ability to safely implement integrated pest management methods for 
control of invasive, non-native plants and other nuisance plants, 
including chemical (herbicide) and manual treatments.
   -Ability to obtain Florida Certified Pesticide Applicator license within 
six (6) months of hire with category (21) for licensing of Commercial 
applicators of herbicides in natural areas
   -May participate as a crew member on prescribed burns conducted by 
various agencies and The Nature Conservancy. Excellent physical condition. 
Ability to meet minimum TNC training and health requirements for wildland 
fires at the arduous level.  For Florida: 3 mile walk with a 45 pound pack 
test with a time of 45 minutes or less.  Must meet NWCG 310-1 training 
requirements for Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2).
   -S130/190 and Standards for Survival certification, or equivalent agency 
training required or able to receive the required training within one year 
of employment.
*Ability to maintain and safely operate equipment, hand and power tools 
and demonstrate the ability to drive off- road vehicles, (i.e. 4 wheel 
drive vehicle with and without towing boat, all-terrain vehicles, 21' boat 
with outboard motor).
*Must have a working knowledge of safety guidelines for operating a boat 
and must follow all state, local, and federal regulations specified for 
the operation of motorized watercraft.  First aid training a plus (will 
train).
*Must have valid Florida Driver's License and follow recommended safety 
guidelines and precautions specified for said work. Required to operate 
under proper license (i.e. "D" license is required for operation of 
vehicles in excess of 8,000 lbs. vs."E" license). Responsible for the 
maintenance of TNC vehicles and boat.
*Ability to operate hand held GPS unit, maintain mapping database and 
perform basic mapping tasks.
   -Proven ability to develop and maintain productive professional 
relationships with all government partners including water management 
districts and county, state and federal agencies.
   -Develops, coordinates and supports the delivery of other specific 
conservation products, providing entrepreneurial leadership in developing 
land conservation program tools aimed at preserving biodiversity within 
one or more ecoregions. Assist with annual monitoring of conservation 
easement in target area.
   -Excellent writing and oral communication skills, including public 
speaking skills as well as demonstrated negotiation skills.
   -Demonstrated ability to produce tangible results. Able to work 
efficiently and productively under deadlines and a heavy workload. 
Capacity to handle complex tasks under pressure and under stringent time 
constraints.
   -Able and willingness to work long hours, weekends and to travel 
frequently on short notice.
   -Works closely with other Northeast program staff in a team process to 
ensure timely delivery of conservation products.
   -Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
*Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years experience in natural resource management 
or equivalent combination of education and experience.
*Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide 
activities
*Ability to communicate and work closely with scientists
*Working with media and influential officials, especially governmental, to 
improve Conservancy programs' outcomes
*Familiarity with principles of land acquisition
*Knowledge of ecological land management principles
*Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land 
management and natural resource preservation
*Experience in training and curriculum design.
*Demonstrated experience communicating effectively with the public and/or 
media
*Completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s)
*Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g.; Word, Excel, Web 
browsers).

COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:
*Coordinates multiple projects with several variables, setting realistic 
deadlines and managing timeframes
*Interprets guidelines, evaluates information and modifies processes to 
adapt to changing circumstances
*Compiles data, resolves disparities, and modifies processes to generate 
plans
*Resolves routine issues independently, consulting with supervisor to 
develop plans for resolution of complex and unusual problems
*Cultivates and develops creative ideas to improve conservation strategies
*Applies diversified knowledge of scientific principles and practices to a 
variety of assignments
*Identifies and disseminates lessons learned, best practices and methods, 
tools, consistencies and inconsistencies across plans

DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:
*Ability to make sound decisions for TNC is the following areas (legal, 
financial, conservation, reputation)
*Makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and judgment
*Performs tasks with minimal supervision

RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT . FINANCIAL AND SUPERVISORY:
*May lead or monitor work groups consisting of staff, interns, and 
volunteers covering a wide geographic area
*May need to gain cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program 
goals
*Financial responsibility may include working within/managing a budget to 
complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting 
with budget development and meeting fundraising targets.
*Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external 
requirements

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:
*Networks with diverse groups, including land owners, conservation 
partners, government officials, donors, board members and the general 
public to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy 
efforts
*Provide a variety of information to staff and others, contributing to 
conservation projects and assisting workflow throughout the organization.
*Work and communicate effectively with a diverse group of people, 
including scientists, preserve staff and others, providing and obtaining 
needed information
*Collaborates with a wide range of conservation partners to identify 
research needs, present technical concepts at national or international 
conferences, and support fieldwork
*Provides training for internal and external colleagues on ecological and 
conservational scientific principles
*Ability to simplify and explain the principles of conservation science 
and practices to technical and non-technical audiences
*Communicates strategic project goals and objectives.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
The Land Conservation Specialist may work in variable weather conditions, 
at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under 
physically demanding circumstances. These conditions:
*require considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain
*present frequent possibility of injury
*require long hours in isolated settings

TO APPLY, SEND COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO:
Hallie Stevens, Northeast Florida Program Director
c/o Pamela Chancey, Office Manager
The Nature Conservancy
9953 Heckscher Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32226
Fax:  904/251-0008
Email: pchancey at tnc.org
No phone calls please.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.