Director, Conservation and Outdoor Education

~ The Southern Conservation Trust protects greenspace, conserves forests, safeguards river, protects wildlife, provides environmental education, and ensures that our children have access to nature in our own communities. ~

Based in Fayette County, Georgia, the Southern Conservation Trust works through the state of Georgia and as of the end of 2016 is protecting over 6,000 acres with six public nature areas and dozens of conservation easements.

Position Overview

The Southern Conservation Trust seeks a detail-oriented, collaborative, outdoor professional who has a leadership background as well as the passion for the outdoors to manage SCT’s public properties, outdoor education and recreation initiatives, the acquisition of a portfolio of new conservation easements and the stewardship of those already in SCT’s portfolio. The Director of Conservation and Outdoor Education will work hand in hand with SCT’s Executive Director and will lead and facilitate a set portfolio of these conservation easement projects from inception to closing; and oversee their perpetual stewardship by SCT.

This position will oversee SCT’s outdoor education and recreation initiatives on six public nature areas in Fayette County, GA. Specific tasks include working with the Executive Director to build land management plans on existing easements as well as SCT’s 6 public nature areas, conservation easement and fee title negotiation and acquisition; and providing overall land management consistent with SCT’s policies and our commitment to the highest land standards. This position offers a tremendous career opportunity for an energetic and accomplished conservation professional to lead the next generation of the Southern Conservation Trust’s education initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate, and manage a portfolio of SCT’s conservation easement acquisitions. This includes: drafting and quality assurance of conservation plans or assessments for a property; supervising property due diligence, including title investigation; negotiation and drafting of conservation easement deeds.
• Effectively manage stewarding, monitoring and compliance of SCT’s previously acquired public and private interests, consistent with SCT’s stewardship related policies and procedures.
• Represent SCT’s Conservation and Stewardship program in stakeholder meetings and other fora.
• Maintain and improve SCT’s conservation and stewardship policies, procedures and detailed, meticulous records in compliance with SCT’s National Land Trust Accreditation.
• Conduct annual monitoring of SCT properties and write and develop land management plans with landowners.
• Plan and execute all outdoor education and recreation projects on SCT properties including but not limited to hiking, kayaking, biking, and other outdoor activities on properties.
• Raise awareness in community through outdoor education programming while increasing revenue through programming.
• Work to build interactive trail systems and educational trails on all of SCT’s public nature areas.
• Work with SCT’s Executive Director and Grant Writer to fund outdoor initiatives.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and management of land stewardship volunteers, including launching the Southern Conservation Trust Volunteer Stewards Program.
• Oversee organization and implementation of 20-30 volunteer workday events annually on SCT or partner-owned lands, including assisting with volunteer recruitment; planning and securing materials for events; demonstrating safe and correct use of tools; overseeing volunteer work; and coordinating with the Executive Director to facilitate youth engagement events.
• Works with outside contractors to complete projects on SCT’s properties approved by Executive Director after a 3 bid process.
• Management of all summer camp programs and leading contract counselors and volunteers.
• Works with the Executive Director to develop and implement property management plans on all public nature areas.
• GIS mapping of public nature areas and conservation easements.
• Leading interdisciplinary outdoor lessons and activities for school groups, camps, community groups and public.
• Regular communication with teachers and school administrators.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• The position may have direct reports in the future. Position will have regular interaction with the public, land owners, volunteers, schools, and contractors.

Qualifications

• A strong background and experience in education, volunteer coordination, and environmental knowledge.
• A dedicated team player with a sense of humor and a commitment to protecting the natural environment who also works well independently.
• Working knowledge of Georgia native species and ecology, management of common invasive weeds, and common issues associated with land management.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact and communicate with a variety of public and private interests, partners, and constituents.
• Strong writing skills.
• Proficiency in ArcGIS software and GPS. Strong computer proficiency and office skills.
• Willingness to work in the field (often alone), as well as in an office environment.
• Willingness to work occasional nights and weekend volunteer workdays.
• A valid driver’s license and willingness to use personal vehicle when necessary (with mileage reimbursement for out of county travel).
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds and walk on uneven terrain.
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural resources management, outdoor recreation, forestry, or related field. Masters or equal experience preferred.
• Significant knowledge of conservation easements.
• Experience building long-term partnerships with stakeholders to develop successful conservation projects.
• Desire to make an enduring contribution to the field of conservation and environmental education.

Physical Demands:

•  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands and fingers to type, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus during significant computer related work.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances and may require long hours in isolated settings.

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to upload your cover letter and resume with “Conservation Director” in the subject line.