Conservation Manager

Merck Forest & Farmland Center Published: September 19, 2018
Location
Rupert, Vermont
Skill Level
Mid Level
Job Type
Full-time
Categories
Admin/ Gen Mgmt / Natural Resources/ Restoration / Farm / Organics

When you apply for this position, please say you saw this job on Green Dream Jobs!!

Description

~ Merck Forest and Farmland Center (MFFC) is a nonprofit educational organization on a mission to demonstrate the benefits of innovative, sustainable management of forest and farmland through memorable experiences. ~

The farm is both a working landscape and a field classroom for school groups. Our farm staff and apprentices use low-impact, ecologically-sensitive practices in order to integrate the farm with the natural environment.

Position Overview

As a key member of Merck Forest and Farmland Center’s Program Team, the Conservation Manager will be responsible for representing the forested landscape and ecosystem in program planning and implementation. This will include leading the preservation, protection, and/or restoration of the natural environment, natural ecosystems, vegetation, and wildlife at MFFC.

The Conservation Manager will also play a lead role in MFFC’s effort to engage students, participants, members, researchers and volunteers in our stewardship efforts both on property and in the region. As a component of this work, the Conservation Manager will facilitate visitor engagement through the ongoing development and maintenance of MFFC’s recreational infrastructure, including: trails, interpretive waypoints, cabins, lean-tos, etc.

Responsibilities

  • Ensure MFFC makes adequate annual progress on the organization’s forest management plan, while ensuring compliance with all relevant state and federal laws.
  • Oversee the building and maintenance of MFFC’s network of recreational trails, cabins and lean-tos.
  • Conduct ongoing, cyclical environmental assessment and monitoring of key ecosystem health indicators.
  • Coordinate with regional and national non-profits, colleges, universities, etc., to facilitate conservation-related research projects on property.
  • Support MFFC’s cross-channel outreach efforts through the routine creation of relevant written and digital content.
  • Maintain updated forest and recreational maps, using ArcGIS.
  • In collaboration with MFFC’s Education Director, develop and lead forest ecology and conservation-related educational programming for visitors, school groups, etc.
  • In collaboration with MFFC’s Education Director, develop and lead citizen science programs and projects for participants including, but not limited to: drop-in visitors, regional students, families, staff and volunteers.
  • In collaboration with MFFC’s Education Director, engage individuals and groups in conservation-, trail- and cabin-related volunteer opportunities.
  • Support MFFC’s Executive Director in leading regional, landscape-level conservation intended to protect a) the unfragmented Northern Taconic block in which MFFC is nested, and b) the key linkage connecting MFFC to the North Woods through the central Green Mountains.
  • Collaborate with staff across the organization on a variety of cross disciplinary projects.
  • Work in accordance with all relevant OSHA and organizational safety protocols.

Qualifications

Required Skills/Experience:

  • Deep knowledge of forest ecology, including the ability to identify and explain connections between MFFC’s flora, fauna, funghi, etc.
  • An understanding of, and experience with, sustainable trail design and building techniques.
  • Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
  • A minimum of 3 - 5 years of relevant field experience.
  • Experience in, and passion for, sharing information about ecology and conservation with the public in formal and informal settings.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Experience assessing and managing risk in a dynamic, field-based environment.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

  • Program and curriculum development and implementation.
  • Familiarity with basic carpentry techniques.
  • Delivering curriculum-based instruction.
  • Familiarity, as a participant or facilitator, with the implementation of citizen science-based programming.

Compensation

  • Salary: $30,000.00 to $40,000.00 /year.

When you apply for this position, please say you saw this job on Green Dream Jobs!!

Related Jobs

Stewardship and Restoration Manager   Walla Walla /Remote, WA
March 18, 2024
(Visited 1 times, 99 visits today)