Outreach Coordinator

The Mass-Conn Sustainable Forest Partnership is an informal conservation organization.  

Position Overview: 

The Outreach Coordinator, a part-time position with the Mass-Conn Sustainable Forest Partnership ("Mass-Conn"), will coordinate the outreach and education activities of Mass-Conn and provide basic administration and coordination services to the Partnership. The position will be supported for up to 3 years as part of a US Forest Service grant.

Responsibilities:

The Outreach Coordinator will organize Mass-Conn outreach programs in fulfillment of a 3-year, US Forest Service grant, "Working with Municipalities, Foresters and Landowners to Increase Forest Conservation and Ensure Sound Forest Stewardship." In conjunction with the outreach activities of this grant, the Outreach Coordinator will be expected to serve as the Mass-Conn Partnership's Coordinator. The Coordinator is Mass-Conn's principle liaison with the general public and in particular with current and potential future partners, landowners, and municipal staff and volunteers.

Specifically, the Coordinator will:

• Work with Mass-Conn Partnership members and the North Quabbin Regional Landscape Partnership (NQRLP) Coordinator to organize and help facilitate a workshop for landowners who have already protected their land with conservation easements.
• Reach out to municipal boards and commissions, working as much as possible through Mass-Conn partners, to identify the towns that may be most likely to need assistance with their own conservation initiative. Assist one town with an initiative i.e. Write a grant or help them with a Forest Legacy application.
• Reach out to foresters and develop a means for helping them to make connections between their client landowners and conservation land trusts.
• Work with the NQRLP Coordinator to organize and facilitate a training for people who want to learn how to monitor conservation restrictions.
• Manage a mass-mailing to all landowners in the region with greater than 20 acres on federal and state tax incentives for conservation restrictions. Organize and facilitate a forum for interested landowners to be able to learn more.
• Be a point of contact by email for all partners in the Partnership and help to facilitate discussion among Steering Committee members and the general membership on issues as appropriate. Develop agendas and coordinate meeting times and quarterly meetings of the Mass-Conn Partnership.
• Update the Mass-Conn website as needed.
• Communicate with the Mass-Conn Steering Committee as needed.
• Assist in grant writing in support of the Mass-Conn Partnership.

Qualifications:

The coordinator must be outgoing and personable since this is a position with much contact with the public and partners. The position requires a can-do attitude with little supervision and a willingness to work evening and weekend hours on occasion when the tasks require it. The ideal candidate will be proficient in writing and in verbal communication. A certain amount of physical activity also is required, e.g., setting up AV equipment and tables so the coordinator should be able to lift 30-40 lbs.

A bachelor's degree in the natural sciences or experience in outreach and education is required. An understanding of basic conservation tools and techniques is preferred. Experience with event coordination, fundraising for events and other programs, and general marketing skills are a plus. The coordinator must be organized and be able to work independently on assigned tasks. Experience with databases and word processing software required. Must have a valid driver's license and access to a vehicle. The position requires travel within the region.

Reports to: Mass-Conn Steering Committee

Terms of Employment: Part-time, on a year by year basis, starting on Oct.1, 2009. This position is currently funded for 3 years;

Compensation: $19 per hour, 8 hrs a week; Future increases in compensation dependent on availability of funding

Closing Date: October 1, 2009

To Apply:

Submit a cover letter, resume and references to: Mass-Conn Outreach Coordinator Hiring Committee, PO Box 1097, Redding, CT 06875 though email is preferred.