Job Tag: Conservation

Established in 1948, the Washtenaw County Conservation District (WCCD) is a local government agency, serving Washtenaw County with soil and water conservation support.

The WCCD Seasonal Staff position provides a professional development opportunity to work within the fields of natural resources conservation through involvement with a variety of the WCCD residential programs and events. The position will assist the WCCD staff, primarily the Residential programs team led by the Resource Specialist and Community Forester, with coordinating and facilitating events, performing field work, and community engagement.

Promote soil and water conservation to improve and protect soil and water quality in York County. Provide Ag Erosion and Sediment (Ag E&S) and Manure Management Plan (MMP) planning, technical assistance and education to landowners and operators in order to advance farm plan development and best management practice implementation. Provide related technical assistance performing plan reviews, site assessment, survey, and construction verification for the implementation of the State Erosion Control Program, the State Nutrient Management Act, and various state Ag programs, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection and the State Conservation Commission.

Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the health of the Delaware Estuary, which supplies clean drinking water for millions of people and provides valuable resources for businesses, governments, and communities including those that are overburdened or economically distressed. PDE pursues clean waters, healthy habitats, and strong communities by:

•Leading science-based efforts to prevent pollution, protect wetlands, and restore freshwater mussels and oysters;

•Partnering with government agencies, nonprofits, corporations, and the public to restore the vital waters that nourish our communities; and

•Fostering care and support for the health of the entire estuary through festivals, workshops, river cleanups, and other special events and activities.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Urban Waters Specialist supports the Urban Waters Program Manager by assisting in the implementation of initiatives, programs, and partnerships related to the Delaware River location of the Urban Water Federal Partnership, as well as supporting other outreach-based efforts in urban areas located in the Delaware Estuary. This position helps with project coordination, communication, and administrative duties to further the goals of the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.

JOB FUNCTIONS

Project Support
•Assists in the implementation of community projects, festivals, and workshops.
•Supports in the preparation of project deliverables, timelines, and monitoring of key metrics.
•Maintain quality data and assists with data analysis.
•Assists in organizing and facilitating internal external meetings.
•Helps maintain project files, calendars, and communications.

Community Engagement & Partnership Building
•Helps engage urban communities, particularly underrepresented populations, in water quality understanding and improvement efforts.
•Collaborates with local organizations, government agencies, and community groups to advance shared goals.

Organizational Support
•Serves as an ambassador for PDE and the Delaware Estuary Program.
•Identifies business opportunities to improve PDE’s engagement work.
•Performs other tasks as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
•Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, communications, urban planning, or a related field, or at least 1-2 years of experience in community engagement, environmental advocacy, or related areas.
•An understanding of the challenges faced by urbanized cities along waterways, including stormwater management, pollution, flooding, and erosion, as well as familiarity of potential solutions such as green infrastructure and community engagement efforts.
•Strong communication, organizational, and multitasking skills.
•Demonstrated passion for environmental stewardship and community empowerment.
•Demonstrated experience working with diverse and underrepresented communities.
•Ability to facilitate meetings and engage stakeholders.
•Proficiency in Microsoft Office and video meeting platforms.

Must be at least 18 years of age with a valid driver’s license and consistent access to reliable transportation.

PREFERRED SKILLS & EXPEREINCE
•Experience organizing meetings, events, or conferences.
•Experience with social media.
•Proficiency with digital tools such as Canva.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Time spent in this position is split among an office setting, remote work, and in the community including in Philadelphia PA, Chester PA, Camden NJ, and Wilmington DE. Work hours may occasionally shift depending on task needs. Occasionally, there will be a need to work at night or on a weekend day.

American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.5 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and helped thousands of farm families (primarily through programs that increase farm viability and/or enhance farmland access). Long a pioneering leader, AFT is now riding a new wave of growth, driven by agriculture’s most pressing needs and opportunities.

We believe diversity drives innovation. We are inclusive. We embrace differences. We recognize and respect the fundamental value and dignity of all our employees. We celebrate the unique traditions, heritages, and experiences our employees bring to the workplace. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive culture that promotes and values diversity, and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every day.

Job Purpose

The Program Manager for Watersheds takes an active role in executing the regional producer-led watershed and water quality program strategy and related work plans. This includes engaging with internal and external partners, tracking deliverables and project budgets, ensuring that invoices and reports are submitted on time, and providing supervision for project staff.

Position Summary

The Midwest Program Manager position offers an exciting opportunity to help carry out the strategic agenda of a growing, forward-looking conservation organization. S/he will have the opportunity to work across teams within AFT’s Midwest Region, as well as with external partners including farmers, landowners, and agricultural professionals. This a permanent position that will work to support and build upon AFT producer-led watershed programs in the Midwest, especially in Illinois. The Midwest Program Manager will work with farmers, farmland owners (especially non-operating landowners) as well as state and federal agencies, agricultural service providers, and conservation leaders to provide coordination across diverse groups of partners and programs. Several of the programming is directly supporting the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

Duties and Responsibilities

Program Planning and Development / Delivery

Develop and manage projects to promote sound farming practices, accelerate implementation of Illinois’ Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, and help farmers combat climate change.

Develop and launch producer-led watershed programs in priority watersheds in Illinois by engaging with farmer leaders and program partners, and sharing information for a diversity of stakeholders across multiple formats, such as webinars, networking events, educational workshops and field days.

Manage contracts and memorandums of understanding between partner organizations and ensure successful completion of deliverables.

Track project activities and outcomes and contribute to project-related reports, including tracking progress for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

Internal and External Partner Engagement

Help build positive relations with the team and external partners.

Represent AFT at public meetings, field days, and educational events.

Fundraising and budget management

Develop and manage project budgets, review financial statements and invoices, and develop and submit reports.

Assist in the development of compelling proposals to federal, state, and private funders to secure funding for priority projects.

Staff Supervision / Management

Supervise field-based program staff and work with stakeholders to increase adoption of conservation cropping systems, track outreach and education events, and ensure consistent messaging to advance watershed goals.

Other

Provide communications staff with content for social media campaigns, regular email updates, and other digital communications, including narratives describing farmers who have successfully transitioned to conservation cropping systems and others engaged in AFT programs.

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities. Management reserves the right to revise the job or to require other or different duties be performed as assigned.

Required Qualifications

The Midwest Program Manager must be entrepreneurial and a self-starter, outgoing and energetic, organized, and capable of working well independently as well as part of a team.

BA or BS degree and a minimum of 5-7 years of related work experience in agriculture or watershed/water quality outreach and planning. An advanced degree in one or more of the disciplines noted may substitute for 2 years of work experience.

Supervisory experience including motivating, leading, setting objectives, and managing budgets and deadlines.

Direct professional experience working with farmers, non-farming landowners, women, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, or other socially disadvantaged farmers, public officials, agricultural and conservation organizations, commodity groups, and academic institutions.

Direct professional experience building networks, partnership development, and organizing events for farmers, landowners, and agricultural professionals.

Strong interpersonal skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred experience using ArcGIS and other spatial mapping tools.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated commitment to high-quality work.

Knowledge of the Midwest agricultural landscape, water quality concerns, and key stakeholders.

Demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, and justice, and knowledgeable about how those principles can be effectively applied in practice.

Willingness to travel frequently within Illinois (approximately 40% of time), plus occasional travel within the Midwest Region.

Summary: The Technical Specialist is responsible for repair and maintenance of classroom, laboratory and field equipment; participation in projects at various off-site locations; assistance in class and field instruction of students; participate in department’s recruitment, registration and orientation functions; provide assistance to department members with assigned tasks.

Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science or related field required. Will consider Associate’s degree in a Natural Resources Conservation related field with the Bachelor’s degree required prior to receiving a continuing appointment.

Experience: Two years in use and maintenance of Conservation and Horticulture equipment preferred; working knowledge of technical conservation, horticulture and greenhouse operations.

Special Skills: Must be able to meet the physical demands of the job.

Specific Responsibilities:

Provide technical teaching assistance each semester as part of regular assignment by demonstrating the use of various pieces of field equipment or techniques in courses within the department, e.g. use of nets, chain saws, tree and soil augers and testing equipment.
Participate in the development, maintenance and operation of all labs, storage and other areas associated with the department, as needed.
Complete or delegate maintenance and repair of all department equipment.
Order supplies and equipment and maintain an inventory of all equipment and supplies and provide inventories as required.
Supervise and assign tasks to department work-study students.
Complete tasks assigned by Chairperson for staff of department.

Benefits and salary range:

Competitive starting salary in the range of $41,658 to $46,866 and is commensurate with qualifications
NYS retirement or Optional SUNY Retirement Program
SUNY Voluntary Savings Plan
Comprehensive Health and Dental Insurance through Excellus BCBS
FSA
21 days of annual leave, 12 sick days, and 13.5 holidays annually
FLCC Tuition Waiver for employee and dependents
Tuition assistance – 4-year institutions

Friends of Plumas Wilderness seeks a dynamic Executive Director to lead our environmental conservation efforts. Guided by our Strategic Plan, the ED will play a key role in regional public lands planning across the Plumas, Tahoe, and Lassen national forests, coordinating with multiple partners on large-scale landscape projects. The ED will embody our commitment to advocacy, education, stewardship, and organizational health.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED will provide strategic leadership, oversee staff and programs, manage daily operations, and ensure financial health. This full-time role, based in Quincy, CA, involves local travel for staff and board meetings, community outreach, and events. The right candidate will shape the role to their strengths, driving FoPW forward in addressing conservation challenges in our region.

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) develops and delivers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. We are dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. To learn more, visit gmri.org.

GMRI is currently seeking applicants for a 2-year postdoctoral researcher position to conduct research on coastal ecosystem ecology and groundfish habitat associations and spatial dynamics in the Gulf of Maine. The postdoctoral associate will work under the supervision of Dr. Graham Sherwood (Fisheries Ecologist) and collaborate with a team of scientists at GMRI and staff at the Quahog Bay Conservancy (QBC;
) to examine the impacts of anthropogenic change on coastal living marine resources in Maine. The successful candidate will be responsible for taking part in, and synthesizing results from a long-term (10+ year) coastal monitoring program known as CBASS (

) which will involve field work (beach seining, hook-and-line sampling, eDNA sampling and active acoustic surveys), data management, quantitative analyses of fish community dynamics, and mentoring undergraduate students during the summer at QBC. The successful candidate will also take part in spatial/temporal modelling efforts to describe groundfish distribution patterns in the Gulf of Maine in relation to habitat, fishing patterns, climate change and other marine uses (e.g., offshore wind).

The start date is June 1, 2025 or earlier. The position will be located primarily at GMRI (

) in Portland, ME; summer months (June – August) will be spent in residence at QBC (Harpswell, ME; about a 45 min drive from GMRI). The position will remain open until February 28, 2025 but applications will be reviewed upon submission.

Responsibilities:

Organize and lead field sampling effort at QBC that includes but is not limited to physical water measurements, beach seining (for littoral and juvenile fish and invertebrates), hook-and-line sampling (for groundfish), and water sampling for eDNA.
Mentor undergraduate summer interns (4-6) at QBC during the summer (June – August).
Lead, and at times assist, interns and technicians with statistical analysis to understand long and short-term changes in the coastal ecosystem.
Take part in active acoustic surveys to examine fish distribution/abundance and trophic/habitat interactions and work with lab members to analyze acoustic results.
Contribute to annual Casco Bay Ecosystem Monitoring Report (

).
Contribute to proposals to support later stages of research.
Synthesize and share results in peer-reviewed scientific papers and industry and scientific conferences.
Travel to regional stakeholder meetings, project team workshops, and industry and scientific conferences.
Participate in project team meetings and workshops.
Participate in lab and GMRI/QBC staff meetings and activities.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

Ph.D. in a relevant discipline, such as coastal ecology, fisheries biology, fisheries acoustics, applied mathematics, statistics, or another field that demonstrates a strong quantitative background (e.g., modeling, spatial statistics, time-series analysis).
Experience with field work including sampling techniques (e.g., beach seining, fishing, fisheries acoustics, eDNA sampling), small boat operation, and the ability to work off hours and in variable conditions as needed.
Demonstrated experience and fluency in relevant programming languages (e.g., R).
Strong written and oral communication skills, as evidenced through publications in the peer reviewed scientific literature and presentation of results to a variety of audiences.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
Eligible to work in the United States

The Texas Chapter and Great Plains Division Nature and Energy program promotes climate mitigation, climate adaptation strategies, and advances the clean energy transition to meet TNC’s 2030 goals to address the global climate and biodiversity crises. The Nature and Energy Program Director provides strategic and technical leadership on the implementation of a broad suite of natural climate solutions and nature-based solutions to increase the implementation rate of nature-positive projects, polices, and practices with measurable outcomes toward protecting land and water; providing healthy ecosystems; and accelerating the clean energy transition in Texas and within the Great Plains division of The Nature Conservancy.

The Nature and Energy Program Director will develop innovative conservation and scientific methods, analysis, tools and methodological frameworks to promote the implementation of initiatives and projects at different scales to maximize outcomes. As part of this work, they will supervise staff with expertise in nature-based solutions and coastal resilience, and as a team will promote the role of natural climate solutions, nature-based solutions, clean energy transition and other nature-positive projects, policies, and programs by integrating the benefits of best practices within the chapter’s and division’s land and water protection, stewardship, working lands strategies and coastal resilience program to maximize the co-benefits of all projects. They’ll demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion in their approach to this position.

The Nature and Energy Program Director will build key strategic partnerships with all levels of government as well as leaders in the private sector to identify and advance needed policy, incentives and market shifts, and partner with philanthropy leadership to ensure a sustainable funding stream for this work. They will coordinate with other conservation leaders within TNC and collaborate closely with government affairs/policy, science, and development teams to develop specific approaches that will yield sustainable, durable, conservation outcomes, including advising on and analyzing the development of market-based ecosystem service incentives. They will conduct analyses and build strategic scientific and technical capacities, develop relationships with key public and private entities and solve technical problems, address barriers, and serve as an expert to communicate solutions and best practices. They will work to garner more widespread support from communities, governments, private companies, and others for the value and co-benefits of nature as a mitigation and adaptation strategy in current practices and in the clean energy transition.

Roles & Responsibilities

Report to the Director of Landscape Initiatives and collaborate, as part of a matrixed organization, within the Texas chapter, Great Plains division and North American region.
Lead refinement and implementation of chapter and division strategies, building on an existing body of work as well as existing partnerships to advance the chapter’s contribution to climate mitigation, adaptation and clean energy transition programs that align with organizational goals and key outcomes, and strengthen TNC’s role as an effective, credible partner on nature-positive climate solutions.
Ensure Texas’ Nature and Energy program is coordinated to contribute to the goals of the Great Plains Division and the North America Natural Climate Solutions and Clean Energy Transition programs to ensure maximum consistency, value, and leverage occurs.
Build respectful, equitable and inclusive partnerships with climate impacted communities to ensure this work has breadth and standing within the broader climate work ongoing in Texas and in the division and to create durable and lasting solutions.
Supervise staff, promote TNC’s code of conduct, values and promote a safe, inclusive and supportive work environment for team members.
Serve as a climate and clean energy policy advisor to the chapter, coordinates with policy teams to advocate for policy conditions that will facilitate use of natural climate solutions and other nature-positive approaches including participating in legislative and regulatory/rule-making analyses and forums, as requested. Serves on the TX Chapter Conservation Leadership Team.
Explore and test ideas for removing obstacles to the rapid deployment of natural climate solutions, nature-positive approaches, and clean energy transition strategies by governments and communities to maximize co-benefits to public health, community resilience, hazard mitigation, quality of life, biodiversity, agricultural productivity, water quality and quantity, recreation, and others.
Conduct detailed economic analyses to determine the cost-effectiveness of climate change mitigation; investigate additional incentives to action; and co-benefits to determine the return-on-investment or net economic benefit of project opportunities.
Develop and manage the budget for the program’s work in TNC Texas, ensuring alignment with other program leads; manage contracts and grants.
Assist TNC’s fundraising team by developing materials and reviewing donor communications as well as assisting with proposal development and donor engagement.
Make independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context, foreseeing risk and proactively seeking advice as needed.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

BA/BS degree and 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.

Primary Function: This position is primarily to support Mote’s coral sexual propagation activities, including assisting with coral spawning (in field, on land), fertilization, larval settlement, recruit rearing, and grow-out of sexually-produced corals from any stony coral species IC2R3 may work with.
Primary Duties:
– Assist with restoration and/or research objectives involving the sexual propagation of corals
– Assist with daily care and maintenance of sexual recruits, sexually mature broodstock, and maintenance of life support equipment.
– Assist with annual coral spawning activities, which require work days that are outside of the typical work-day time frame.
– General coral husbandry tasks including siphoning/cleaning raceways, employing algal mitigation strategies, maintaining grazing organisms, administering coral health treatments, providing appropriate lighting schemes, monitoring water quality parameters, feeding coral recruits, building settlement materials, cleaning tanks and equipment, and maintaining readiness of the outdoor nursery in the instance of unfavorable weather.
– Assist with the data collection, data processing, and daily activities associated with research projects and general maintenance of broodstock.
– Assist with the maintenance of spawning colonies that are housed across multiple field-based nurseries or within land-based spawning systems.
– Assist with coral outplanting when required.
Additional tasks:
─ Assist with coral separation and re-mounting to new substrates
─ Assist with optimization of labeling schemes and record keeping
─ Assist with maintaining a safe, clean, organized indoor wet lab space
─ Assist with taking coral samples for genetic and research purposes
─ Conduct data collection, entry and analysis associated with research
─ Conduct micro fragmentation when necessary
─ Assist with macro/micrograph and fluorescence imaging
─ Mentor interns
─ Maintain an organized nursery and inventory of corals
─ Assist with deliverables associated with specific funding efforts
─ Assist with research and restoration activities related to coral reproduction in the field
─ Assist daily operations of an ex situ spawning system(s)
– Attend outreach opportunities when needed.
– Support visiting scientists and collaborators when needed.
Required Knowledge and Abilities:
– Knowledge of the corals found within the Florida Reef Tract
– Previous experience with coral care in aquaria
– Participate in heavy physical exertion while swimming or diving or hauling gear
– Lift heavy objects or equipment up to 50 lbs
– Ability to work under strenuous conditions in the field or on land, at night for long hours in a tropical climate during spawning season
– Working knowledge of computer software (Windows, Microsoft Office)
– Normal hours are 8:00-5:00 M-F with a lunch break; however, weekend and evening hours will be required at times, especially during spawning season and sometimes during ongoing experiments
Minimum Qualifications or Requirements:
─ MSc degree in the marine or biological sciences from an accredited college or university will be considered for the Staff Biologist level; those with a BSc degree will be considered as a Technician Level if they meet all other minimum requirements.
─ Previous research diving experience
─ Experience working with corals and aquaria systems
─ Experience working in R
─ Open water SCUBA certification
─ Valid license to drive in the State of Florida
Expected Start Date: March 2025
Duration: 1 year with the possibility to extend depending on performance and funding