ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The CLDPM manages the Arkansas Chapter’s Nature and People Strategy and will create a youth conservation engagement program. This program uses Conservancy nature preserves and other natural lands to broaden the foundation of support for conservation by establishing partnerships with other organizations (schools, scouts, NGO’s, churches, agencies) that provide students with nature-based field-based experiences and internships, interesting preserve stewardship work for volunteers, and great experiences for people recreating on Conservancy preserves. The CLDPM understands that immersive hands-on experience and exposure to conservation practices nurtures interests in nature and the outdoors and grows a community of people in support of conservation. The CLDPM oversees a middle and high school-based internship program, chaperoning and guiding the various teams, while working alongside them as they perform outdoor stewardship work on nature preserves and other conservation lands. The CLDPM manages the Chapter’s Field Volunteer Program and coordinates with TNC’s national LEAF and Global Internship programs, and other local internship programs for students and graduates. The CLDPM works closely with the Recreational Use Program Manager to ensure that the Conservancy’s nature preserves are used by the public in a manner that informs and provides a positive recreational experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Develops the student and volunteer engagement program and serves as a role model by working alongside students in the field, ensuring their emotional and physical safety, and assisting them with making the most out of their field or internship experience, explaining and demonstrating work tasks, motivating students and facilitating communication.
• Develops relationships with partners that will attract a diverse range of participants.
• Works closely with partners in developing suitable activities, understanding the work rules surrounding various age-groups.
• Coordinates the activities of interns and volunteers with Chapter conservation staff and acts as a liaison between students, stewardship volunteers and staff.
• Builds and manages a preserve-based volunteer stewardship program.
• Coordinates volunteer activities with the Recreational Use Manager.
• Provides clear communication with partner organizations, students, interns, stewardship volunteers, and Chapter staff.
• Works with philanthropy staff to provide information to program donors.
• Manages finances and creates budgets.
• Proactively seeks feedback from partner organizations, TNC staff, student intern, stewardship volunteers, donors, and recreational users.
• Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
• 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 natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Work experience should include either 2 years’ cumulative experience working with students (preferably outdoors) or 9 months’ cumulative experience leading residential wilderness trips for students
• Experience supervising staff, students or volunteers (leadership role and simple peer development).
• Experience with basic principles of positive youth development.
• Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., media, government officials, internal scientists.
• Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
• Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
• Experience in training.
• Must have valid driver’s license.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated
• Teaching or residential experience with high school and middle school students preferred.
• Experience in program development and planning
• Excellent Team player with flexibility, strong communication and organization skills, and a sense of humor.
• Current wilderness first Aid (WFA) or higher certificate, if not currently certified, training will be provided at TNC expense.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.