Appalachian Landscape Conservation Coordinator

Job Description:

Position Overview

The Appalachian Landscape Conservation Coordinator will support collaboration across the Appalachian region to accelerate nature conservation and conservation-driven community development.The Coordinator will coordinate the network that emerged from the recent Volgenau Climate Initiative (VCI) retreat focused on the intersection of nature, climate, and the economy in the Appalachian region. The Coordinator will serve as a link and networker between the VCI Appalachian network initiatives and ensure alignment, support the sharing of resources, reduction of duplication between initiatives, and increase knowledge and capacity. The Coordinator will also network with other regional initiatives such as Appalachian Trail Landscape Partners, and Appalachian People and Places. CLLC is serving as the host for this Coordinator, however this position will work with numerous nonprofits, government agencies, and local partners.

The Coordinator will also link CLLC’s connectivity science, policy and planning team to local and regional conservation partners and agencies who are seeking connectivity advisement on how to protect wildlife corridors and address wildlife and transportation challenges.

Responsibilities and Duties

Network Coordination:

Maintain strong relationships across the emerging VCI Appalachian network; engage new and existing members; coordinate and facilitate regular communication between retreat participants and committees; and ensure visibility of key activities, needs, and opportunities. Serve as a thought partner to VCI with insights about the field from the network.

The Coordinator will also coordinate the VCI Appalachian network committee’s specific initiatives: 1. Appalachian Natural Capital Navigator, whose goal is to help reduce barriers to investment opportunities; 2. Appalachian Disaster Resiliency Summit, which aims to convene leaders at multiple scales to discuss natural disaster preparation, mitigation, and response in Appalachia; 3. Appalachia Matters Campaign, an overarching conservation, community development, and climate initiative to create a campaign that increases funding, branding, and identity in Appalachia, under which the other initiatives could be nested.

Communications & Reporting:

Disseminate quarterly newsletters for the VCI Appalachian network to document progress, share resources, and highlight collaborative efforts. Organize quarterly meetings of the VCI Appalachian network. Keep VCI up to date on progress, challenges, and regional shifts. Participate in VCI network coordinator calls.

Information Management:

Maintain updated contact lists and shared materials in a central resource hub for Appalachian network members.

Monitoring & Evaluation:

Support basic tracking of metrics and impact across the network, and contribute to quarterly updates and, if needed, support final reporting of grant-funded projects.

Connectivity Conservation Partnership Support across the Appalachians:

One of the goals of the VCI Appalachian network is to ensure connected and resilient landscapes across the region. The Coordinator will hold a unique perspective by working with the VCI Appalachian network and related collaboratives such as Appalachian People and Places which allows them to collect and assess connectivity conservation needs, opportunities and ways that CLLC can provide connectivity expertise in road ecology, connectivity policy, planning and science.

Specifically:

• Support the transfer of CLLC’s connectivity conservation technical expertise to VCI network members and other related collaboratives like Appalachian People and Places, such that connectivity science concepts are incorporated and employed in on-the-ground implementation projects.
• Contribute to the advancement of CLLC’s reputation as a key player in connectivity conservation in the Appalachian Region and nurture relationships with decision-makers and conservation partners.

A core value of the Coordinator role is to be additive to the region and not repetitive, highly collaborative and supportive of other organizations’ conservation goals.

Qualifications and Expectations

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3+ years of directly relevant professional experience, with a demonstrated record of excellence and accomplishments
• Understanding of ecology, conservation biology, climate science, natural resource management, community and economic development, or environmental policy
• Experience in the environmental non-profit sector, including project management, coalition and partnership building, developing and implementing communication strategies, and providing logistical and administrative support
• Passion for community-based conservation and landscape-scale partnerships
• Collaborative, with the ability to work effectively across teams and partner organizations.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to project manage/prioritize to successfully meet deadlines
• Proven experience facilitating meetings with diverse groups
• Ability to translate complex issues into simple and persuasive ideas and have a learning stance
• Efficient, respectful, and compassionate communicator
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team

Essential Qualifications:

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully across cultures
• Willingness to travel within the Appalachians region multiple times a year
• Flexibility to work with people across all U.S. time zones

General Expectations:

• Support the Center’s internal policies and processes, and help to advance our organizational effectiveness and culture
• Bring integrity, genuineness, and curiosity to your daily work
• Provide problem solving in your program area
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to give, receive, and process information in a professional manner
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion with sensitive information
• Promote and strive for the long-term sustainability of the US Program and The Center overall
• Positively represent The Center in both public and private settings
• Maintain relevancy with best practices and advancements in conservation

How to apply:

Please click the "Apply for this Job" button above. You will be asked to include:

• A brief cover letter explaining how your goals, skills and background fit the responsibilities of this role
• A Resume
• Contact information for three professional references