Manager, Natural Areas

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Manager, Natural Areas to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.

NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, we have brought Canadians together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares. NCC takes a collaborative, science-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Working Landscapes Program Director and working closely with the Southwest Program Director the Natural Area Manager leads the coordination and delivery of applicable activities identified within the Milk River Basin and Manitoba and Saskatchewan Community Pastures Natural Area Conservation Plans and other conservation programming. The Natural Area Manager will work as part of the Working Landscapes team to provide an on-the-ground demonstration for partners and other stakeholders of how responsible livestock ranching can help achieve durable outcomes for conservation and biodiversity. This will be accomplished through the stewardship of NCC’s flagship Saskatchewan property and first working ranch, the Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area (OMB). Additionally, the Natural Area Manager will provide technical support and expertise to the Working Landscapes team with the implementation of stewardship incentive programing, completion of health assessments, management planning, and analysis of Crown and private land management legislation, policy and regulations related to conservation tools like Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). The position’s responsibilities will shift focus throughout the year between seasonal activities at OMB (May to October) and broader Working Landscapes Program activities for the balance of the year (November to April). The Natural Area Manager will prioritize their time to ensure all essential activities are completed.

Responsibilities

Management and Administration – 30% of time

• Lead the development of an annual operating budget and workplan for assigned program delivery and in the monitoring, tracking and reporting of expenditures and activities related to stewardship activities;
• Support the Working Landscapes Program Director in development of annual operating budgets for the program and annual stewardship work planning, activity tracking and progress reporting;
• Responsible for the project administration related to project documentation and processes, including LIS input and tracking;
• Recruitment, hiring, and supervision of any contractors or seasonal staff required to assist in the management of the property including pasture riders, heavy equipment, general labour, etc.;
• Receiving and coding invoices received from contractors or other expenditures related to the management of the property and forwarding for approval by the Program Director(s);
• Provide support, recommendations and monitoring of regional assets as required;
• Provide training, supervision, and support for seasonal staff as needed, and contribute to the scheduling of stewardship activities within the region; and
• Complete monthly time and billing, and expense reporting.

Outreach and Partnerships - 30% of time

• Coordinate the implementation of available stewardship incentive programming with eligible participants throughout southwest Saskatchewan;
• Establish and maintain positive and productive relationships with grazing patrons, neighbours, and other local landowners, stakeholders, and rightsholders;
• Maintain positive relations with local communities, governments, municipalities, Indigenous Nations and other partners on the landscape;
• Work with the Conservation Science and Planning Manager and researchers to facilitate access to the property to conduct different types of research;
• Work with members of the Development, Communications and Engagement teams to develop property or program-specific funding proposals, conservation volunteer events, and any other donor and other engagement events as appropriate; and
• Represent NCC on various committees and at meetings or workshops as needed.

Land Stewardship – 25% of time

• Identification and completion of stewardship activities that maintain or enhance identified biodiversity targets and mitigate any identified threats;
• Administration of the cattle grazing program, including determining individual allocations, planning of annual grazing rotation schedules, regular checks of grazing livestock, infrastructure, and water system, development of lease agreements and collection of grazing records, and invoicing;
• Implementation of the Plains Bison herd management plan and day-to-day care and husbandry of approximately 100 adult Plains Bison and their young, including the organization and implementation of annual tagging and weaning;
• Conduct annual monitoring of project lands to track the overall condition of the land and infrastructure (e.g. fences, Texas gates, etc.);
• On-going monitoring of the ecological health through rangeland and riparian health assessments, ecosystem restoration and maintenance, and other types of biological monitoring and observation;
• Analysis of monitoring results and adaptive management of OMB to balance long-term goals of the property; and
• Manage public access, including signage and letters of permission/permits.

Development and Communications – 10% of time

• Support the development team in developing materials for use in soliciting individual, foundation, and corporate gifts in support of conservation work on the property;
• Support the communications team in developing communication initiatives to raise NCC’s profile, develop good relationships with conservation partners including landowners and leaseholders, and support overall program delivery;
• Contribute to development and preparation of funding proposals as required;
• Assist the development team with property-specific donor obligations, donor reports, and play a lead role in property-specific donor tours; and
• Field inquiries from donors and potential donors.

Conservation Science and Planning – 5% of time

• Provide input into the development and revision of area-based conservation plans;
• Lead the updating and renewal of the OMB property management plan and work closely with Conservation Science Staff to update the bison management plan as required;
• Work with Conservation Science staff to implement science related actions identified in the property management plan, bison management plan, and Natural Area Conservation Plans;
• Provide input into annual progress reports; and
• Recommend the development and use of new conservation tools that assist in the facilitation of conservation actions.

Position Requirements

• Successful completion of a four-year undergraduate university program in a related discipline
• Experience with livestock management, species at risk and habitats of the Canadian prairies and associated land management techniques (e.g., stocking rates, invasive species control, domestic forage)
• An understanding of legal, regulatory and policy tools associated with private land and Crown land conservation
• Ability to communicate positively and effectively with landowners, land managers, Indigenous Nations, and other partners
• Demonstrated ability to organize time, manage diverse activities, and meet deadlines
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Highly organized and detail oriented
• Ability to work in a decentralized work environment where many colleagues work at a distance and as part of an office team
• Willingness to travel and work in remote environments, along with occasional evenings and weekends: valid driver's license required
• Commitment to the core values and mission statement of NCC

How to Apply

NCC is an equal opportunity employer. If you are interested in joining our team, please submit your cover letter, resume and salary expectations through our Career Centre.

Application Deadline

November 9, 2024 | 11:59pm EST, 9:59pm Mountain Time, 8:59pm Pacific Time, 10:50pm CST, 00:59 am +1 AST

NCC hires based on merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We strive for bold conservation achievements in which equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are the norm. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. NCC implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. For a confidential inquiry, contact us by email at hr@natureconservancy.ca to make any required arrangements. If you have questions regarding accessible employment at NCC, please email us at hr@natureconservancy.ca