POSITION IDENTIFICATION
Director of Conservation; full-time; 40 hours/week; FLSA exempt
ABOUT THE GRAND TRAVERSE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Based out of the Boardman River Nature Center in Traverse City, Michigan, the Grand Traverse Conservation District is a community-serving organization that cares for the people and places that make Northwest Michigan so special. We’ve been working for nearly 80 years to provide gateways to the natural world, restore natural areas, train future generations of conservation leaders, and support sustainable, local agriculture. Our mission is to lead, facilitate, and inspire exploration, appreciation, conservation, and restoration of our natural world.
Through resource management agreements with Grand Traverse County, the City of Traverse City, the Recreational Authority, and Traverse City Rotary Camps & Services, the Grand Traverse Conservation District manages over 2,500 acres of public parkland in Grand Traverse County. The District also provides assistance in project planning and implementation to various stakeholders and municipalities in our region, such as Whitewater Township, East Bay Township, and the Charter Township of Garfield, as well as for other public parkland properties. Our role in land management includes management plan development, oversight and implementation of parkland improvement projects, monitoring and restoring native habitats, and providing community stewardship opportunities.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Conservation manages and directs the activities of the District’s Conservation Team in providing land management services to local governmental units, nonprofits and private landowners. S/He is also responsible for overseeing the Nature Center Grounds Keeper who is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the Nature Center buildings, grounds, vehicles, equipment, as well as the grounds of the Great Lakes Incubator Farm (GLIF). Specific duties include: overseeing development and implementation of budgets and annual work plans; building and leading his/her Team and evaluating its performance and the performance of its members; collaborating with the District’s Education Team to maximize educational and community engagement aspects of conservation projects; serving as the primary point of contact for landowners and clients receiving the District’s stewardship services; and developing and administering contracts for resource management services.
RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to: Executive Director
Supervises: Conservation Team (Parkland Management, Nature Center Groundskeeper)
Works with: Management Team and volunteers and collaborates extensively with Education Team and other GTCD programming as necessary
External Stakeholders: Municipalities, non-profits, landowners, donors, volunteers and parks users
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Administration (45%)
Management (30%) (Parklands/Boardman River Nature Center/GLIF)
Regional Services/Other (25%)
STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE
Success is measured by the degree to which:
WORKING CONDITIONS
The primary work place is in a typical office setting at the District’s office in the Boardman River Nature Center in Traverse City, MI. The Director will frequently be in the field inspecting quiet recreation parklands managed by the District or stewardship practices installed on watercourses or at farmsteads. This may involve traversing uneven, boggy and submerged terrain in wide ranges of air temperatures and weather. The Director may occasionally be in the vicinity of crews using hand tools, power equipment and heavy machinery. Involvement in hands-on field work will be required as needed. Employee must be able to perform all job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Related Work Experience
Formal Education or Equivalent
Skills
Other
COMPENSATION
The Conservation Director position is a full time, 40 hours/week, FLSA exempt position. Base salary: $60,000-$65,000/year, commensurate with experience. Benefits include paid holidays, 18 paid days off per year, retirement, and the Conservation District’s group health insurance package including dental and vision.
TO APPLY
Please email completed application, resume, and cover letter stating your suitability for the position based on required knowledge and skills to the Executive Director, Koffi Kpachavi at [email protected]. Application materials may be found on the Grand Traverse Conservation District website: www.natureiscalling.org.
APPLICATIONS DUE BY EOD FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2024
The Grand Traverse Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate in employment, promotions, or compensation on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.