Conservation and Education Assistant

The Nature Conservancy

Conservation Education Assistant, New York Division

Position Profile

Have you ever asked yourself, “How can I help?” or “How can I make a difference?”, but you don’t know where to go or have the time to do it? Welcome to The Nature Conservancy. You have found the solution and now you can pointedly make a difference every day!

By joining our New York team, you will become part of a group that is a force to be reckoned with; a force for nature, a force for people, and a force for our planet. We are making a difference every day through our boots on the ground conservation work, voices raised for public policy advocacy, and building local community engagement and partnerships. Our team consists of a dedicated group who are leading the conservation effort on multiple fronts and who expertly bring strategy and action together. To be successful this team relies on a strong support structure – and our office managers are integral to this success.

The Conservation Education Assistant (CEA) will be exposed to and participate in a broad range of educational opportunities. The Conservation Education Assistant participates in education, outreach, stewardship and operations programs, interacts frequently with visitors and helps maintain preserve areas frequented by the public at Mashomack Preserve, Shelter Island, NY. The Conservation Education Assistant will work closely with the TNC Long Island Conservation Lands Team. Working with a global conservation organization will broaden the selected candidate’s knowledge of worldwide conservation issues and strategies for addressing threats to biodiversity. The anticipated duration of this position is approximately 5 months; shared housing accommodations may be available.

Education & Outreach (60%): Assist Education and Outreach Coordinator and Outreach Program Coordinator to help create and implement interpretive education/outreach programming and materials that emphasize the biological diversity of the Mashomack Preserve, global environmental change, and The Nature Conservancy’s conservation initiatives. Projects include curriculum planning, creating interpretive trail signage and other materials for hikers. Help direct and teach the summer Children’s Environmental Explorers program should COVID conditions allow. Provide general Visitor Center, communications, and development staff support, including completing office/administrative work, event support, providing information to visiting public and working with and helping to direct volunteers. Education efforts may be in person or virtual.

Stewardship (30%): Assist Preserve staff with various aspects of preserve stewardship, facilities maintenance and Manor House operations. Tasks may include trail management and maintenance, routine mowing of trails and grounds, event preparation/clean-up, invasive species removal and trash removal/recycling. Duties will require physical labor and the safe operation of hand tools and power equipment.

Applied Conservation (10%): Assist staff with a variety of conservation projects related to habitat management, wildlife monitoring, and research. Tasks may include GIS data collection and mapping, wildlife and vegetation surveys, data entry and analysis, literature reviews, and written reports. Duties will require long hours in the field and/or office.

The ideal candidate will have a background and track record that includes:  

• High school diploma or GED and 1 year’s training in science-related field or related experience in 

 land management.

• Experience recognizing plant and animal species.     

• Experience operating various types of tools and equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g. handheld 

  GPS, gardening tools, lawn mower, weed whacker, etc.)

• Experience working in a team environment.                       

• Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g. First Aid, CPR, boat safety).

• Must have valid driver’s license.

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.

 

If you are interested in doing work you can believe in, want to work in a collaborative environment, please visit http://www.nature.org/careers and search for job ID #50887 in the keyword search. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document. Submit your application by 11:59 PM EST on February 2, 2022, to be considered. The work location for this position is Shelter Island, NY.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of diverse people of all genders, backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, gender identities, military or veteran status or other status protected by law.