Conservation Coordinator

The Lower Merion Conservancy, a private non-profit community preservation organization that conducts a diverse array of programs and projects to protect and preserve open space, historic resources, and the natural environment in Lower Merion Township and Narberth has an immediate opening for a Conservation Coordinator.

Position Overview:

The Conservation Coordinator leads the Conservancy's environmental programs and projects, and collaborates with other professional staff involved in historic preservation, community education, and membership and development.

The Coordinator will oversee citizen science initiatives, such as StreamWatch and BirdWatch, direct our "Environmental House Call" program, coordinate stream restoration projects, manage the care of four native wildflower gardens, manage our volunteer program, assist with our open space easement program, and collaborate with other staff on analysis and advocacy related to planning and policy initiatives that impact the local environment.

The Conservancy's service area of Lower Merion and Narberth includes a variety of built landscapes: urbanizing suburban commercial corridors, village centers and the historic neighborhoods around them, traditional suburbs, estates and institutions -- all of which overlay numerous riparian corridors that drain to the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers. The Coordinator will also play a lead role in shaping and implementing the Conservancy's focus on stormwater management through research, programming, community outreach and advocacy.

The Coordinator reports to the Conservancy's Executive Director, supports the Preservation Committee of the Conservancy's board, and works with a community-based advisory committee.

Responsibilities

Stream Watch:

Manage a network of adult and student volunteers that conducts chemical and biological tests of area streams. Responsibilities include laboratory management, volunteer recruitment, training, and retention, data management, data analysis, field studies, report writing, and more. Coordinate restoration projects on degraded sections of local streams, oversees production of The Mill Creek Report, a state of our watershed report composed of StreamWatch data, and engage the public in programs and events designed to highlight StreamWatch and improve stream ecology.

Bird Watch:

Manage the BirdWatch program, a network of volunteers that adopts local natural areas to record monthly data on bird species. Coordinate the production of the annual report, Birds of Lower Merion. Organize and perform biannual group bird counts.

Conservation Gardens:

Manage volunteers and lead programs to care for the Conservancy's gardens in Rolling Hill Park including the stormwater demonstration landscape, wildflower garden and member's cottage garden as well as Wynnewood Valley Park's Sensory Garden. Plan, conduct and manage an annual native plant sale that will increasingly use products grown in the Conservancy's new greenhouse.

Volunteers:

Manage the Conservancy's volunteer program. Volunteers help with StreamWatch, BirdWatch, four native wildflower gardens as well as other program areas.

Education, Outreach, Advocacy:

Assist the Education Coordinator in conducting public programming for schools, community groups and the general public on an as-needed basis as well as participate in LMC programs and events. Manage and conduct the Conservancy's "Environmental House Calls" program that includes visits to residential and other properties in need of assistance in handling stormwater-related issues. Manage initiatives and advocacy related to facilitating improved stormwater management including serving on public committees.

Open Space Preservation:

The Conservancy works closely with Lower Merion Township to monitor privately owned preservation areas. Conduct annual visits and prepare annual inspection reports. Assist Executive Director as needed with the preparation and monitoring of Conservation Easements.

Qualifications:

Desired Experience and Qualifications:

Successful applicant should possess at least a Bachelor of Science in ecology, wildlife sciences, natural resources, forestry or a related field, with at least 1 year's experience in comparable employment. Familiarization with chemical and biological stream monitoring programs and watershed management issues required. Technical and popular writing skills are equally important; grant writing experience a plus.

The Conservation Coordinator must be team player, positive, flexible and creative. Good communication skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office software are also essential. Bird and wildflower identification, environmental education, and volunteer management, greenhouse management are additional useful skills. Must be willing to work flexible hours (some evenings and weekends) as needed. Additionally, the Coordinator must provide his/her own transportation to and from programs and hold a valid driver's license.

Compensation: This is a full-time salaried position with benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include vacation, compensatory time, fully paid health coverage for individuals, and retirement IRA contributions after three years of service.

Closing Date: Review of applications to begin immediately and continue until position is filled.

To Apply:

Please send a résumé and cover letter with 3 references. While electronic submission is preferred, applications can also be mailed to the attention of: Patty Thompson, Executive Director.

Lower Merion Conservancy
1301 Rose Glen Rd
Gladwyne PA  19035-1323

Prior to hiring, candidates must consent to standard background checks including a child abuse clearance, and criminal background screening.

The Lower Merion Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.