Center for Natural Lands Management
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Conservation Assistant
Reports to: Regional Rare Species Program Manager
Location: Olympia, Washington
Part-time, non-exempt: Part-time – 32 hrs/wk
Salary: Hourly – $14.50 – 15.25 /hr DOE
The Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) is a nonprofit 501(3)(c) organization, dedicated to the protection and restoration of imperiled species and their habitats in the states of Washington and California. CNLM is widely known for its long track record of successful land management and restoration programs, protecting sensitive and imperiled species and their habitats in perpetuity through science-based land stewardship methods. We are an accredited land trust by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, reflecting CNLM’s commitment to rigorous conservation business practices.
Founded in 1990 and inspired by the need for more rigorous perpetual funding and stewardship models for endangered species protection, CNLM developed a unique business model which focused on the inclusion of endowment funds as an important component of land acquisition agreements. CNLM’s endowed funds have been the cornerstone to CNLM’s successes by providing critical financial resources that today supports more than 70 preserves and 30,000 acres stretching from southern to northern California and western Washington.
In the state of Washington, CNLM’s South Sound efforts focus on conservation of one of the rarest ecosystems in the United States, the prairie and oak woodlands of Cascadia. Specifically, we work to protect lands, restore habitats, and support recovery of rare species, including multiple species that are federally listed as threatened or endangered.
CNLM is headquartered in Temecula, CA, and communication is often by phone and email than by in-person meetings. For more information: www.cnlm.org
Essential Functions:
The Conservation Assistant will have two primary areas of work with the South Puget Sound Program: 1) Administrative assistance with the South Sound Field Operations programs and 2) Conservation outreach and communication to local, regional, national and international partners and communities using a variety of tools and techniques.
The Assistant will help coordinate the planning and implementation of workshops and other group meetings to facilitate the implementation of innovative conservation actions. Partner participation is critical to conservation success and the Assistant must be able to successfully work with and reflect a range of partner perspectives and needs. Additionally, the Assistant will organize and coordinate priorities, schedules and paperwork for AmeriCorps members, Veteran Conservation Corps and other groups, coordinate and maintain herbicide applicators licenses for program staff, and coordinate and submit timely truck logs.
Work associated with the Outreach and Communications program involves maintenance of
several online communication tools (websites, Facebook, etc.), organizing innovative community events, recruiting new volunteers and partners and potentially generating support for outreach programs. The Conservation Assistant position is a part-time position that reports to the Regional Rare Species Program Manager.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist with planning and attend species-specific working group and other partner meetings. Take and publish minutes from those meetings.
- Assist in the development and implementation of public communication and outreach products and events for the Regional Rare Species Program and the South Sound Program in general. Coordinate, as needed, with CNLM’s Director of Development and Communications.
- Write and maintain current content on www.southsoundprairies.org and the South Sound Prairies page on Facebook.
- Assist Program in administrative tasks and scheduling related to Americorps, Veterans Conservation Corps and other programs.
- Coordinate and maintain database for South Sound Program herbicide applicators licenses, ensuring program staff are in compliance with all applicable laws.
- Maintain and coordinate South Sound Program truck logs.
- Complete additional tasks for the Regional Rare Species and South Sound programs as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelors of Science (or Arts) degree or equivalent experience. Experience with and interest in, natural resource conservation and land management efforts.
- Relevant experience in report production and analysis.
- Demonstrated effectiveness in working collaboratively, leading volunteer and public education efforts, and professionally representing CNLM at public and client meetings.
- Proven self-starter, able to work efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision and to appropriately use initiative to meet project goals; have the maturity and discretion to seek advice and policy guidance when needed and appropriate.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, with assignments sometimes coming from a number of sources. Ability to structure time effectively and meet deadlines.
- Possess effective communication skills, written and oral. Ability to prepare succinct and cogent reports and plans, and to communicate to various audiences including lay public, funders and conservation partners.
- Possess strong administrative skills including attention to detail and numerical skill/aptitude. Ability to plan, administer and record results of work-team meetings and activities.
- Working knowledge of Windows 7 operating system and PC applications including Microsoft Office Suite. Ability to maintain and update website and other communications tools.
- Must have and maintain a valid Washington driver’s license and safe driving record.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Regularly works indoors in an office setting. Frequently visits natural lands and other areas; must be able to hike across uneven ground to conduct work.
- Regularly sits or stands at a desk or computer workstation.
- Frequently required to operate a CNLM vehicle.
- Frequently works alone.
- Some evening and weekend responsibilities, including travel.
- Occasionally lifts, positions, or otherwise moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
The working conditions described here are representative in part of those that will be encountered by an employee in this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to successfully function in these working conditions.
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The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. CNLM management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.
CNLM is an Equal Opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law
This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the CNLM and the employee and is subject to change by CNLM as the needs of the CNLM and requirements of the job change.
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TO APPLY: Qualified applicants must provide a detailed letter of interest, current resumé or curriculum vitae, and three professional references (names, affiliations, and contact information only). All applications will be acknowledged. Please apply by 16 January 2015.
Email these materials to: careers-ca@cnlm.org
If email is not possible, the application can be mailed to:
Center for Natural Lands Management
Attention: Human Resources
27258 Via Industria, Suite B
Temecula, CA 92590
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