Employment Opportunities

Conservation Associate

Department: Operations
Reports to: Horticulture Director
Status: Non-exempt, Full-time
Hours: Year-round, Monday to Friday, with weekends and evenings as required by the Horticulture Director, Finance Director or the Executive Director

Position Summary
Under the line management of the Horticulture Director, maintaining, protecting and enhancing the natural resources and landscape of the New Canaan Nature Center’s 40-acre property, and working to ensure the safety and well-being of the public using these resources and grounds.

Responsibilities

Natural Resource Conservation duties

  • Trails – Work with the Horticulture Director and the Education Director to develop plans for and prioritize tasks required to maintain a safe trail system. Performs routine maintenance on trails, including: daily patrols (evaluating patterns of use and monitoring for signs of fire, vandalism, trespass, safety hazards, drainage problems, etc.), placing and maintaining signs and graphics, removing blow-downs, removing debris and litter, routine repair of boardwalks and bridges, and maintaining outdoor furniture.
  • Natural habitats – Work with the Horticulture Director to develop plans for and prioritize tasks required to preserve, maintain and restore natural habitats. Performs routine maintenance of natural areas to optimize native species biodiversity, including: identification and removal of invasive exotic plants, control of non-native insect pests, and restoration of degraded areas.
  • Cultural gardens – Work with the Horticulture Director to develop plans for and prioritize tasks required to restore, maintain and enhance the site’s cultural gardens. Performs routine maintenance of ornamental and cultural landscapes including, weeding, pruning, mulching, mowing, trimming, litter removal. Road cleaning and snow removal as needed.
  • Record keeping – maintains accurate records and prepares and submits written reports relating to daily activities.
  • Other duties – The Conservation Associate will assist other staff members with projects, special events, and educational programs, and perform other duties as directed.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Leadership
Strategic perception

  • Understanding and communicating the strategic priorities of NCNC

Communications
Writing

  • Proper use of English grammar and punctuation
  • Maintaining accurate written records

Speaking

  • Conversational speaking to persuade, motivate or provide information
  • Ability to speak effectively to a range of audiences

Management
Self-management

  • Perform a variety of duties that may change regularly
  • Following procedures
  • Performing repetitive tasks
  • Working under pressure or against deadlines
  • Prioritizing tasks to reflect their relative importance
  • Completing assignments on time with minimal direction
  • Ability to manage ambiguity and take action where answers are not apparent
  • Planning ahead and scheduling work for self

Working with others

  • This position does not routinely manage others, but may supervise other seasonal employees or volunteers
  • Ability to use tact and diplomacy when interacting with visitors and ensuring their compliance with Nature Center policies including no smoking, pets on leashes, and the removal of pet waste.
  • Establishing rapport and trust with others
  • Negotiating ideas and working collaboratively to make decisions
  • Working as part of a team
  • Acting diplomatically in challenging situations

Qualifications

  • Be18 years of age or older.
  • High School diploma or General Education degree (GED) required.
  • Associate degree or 60 college credit hours, or six months in environment conservation preferred.
  • Have a valid driver’s license.
  • Be capable of physically performing strenuous work, and working effectively during inclement weather
  • Ability to work with hand tools, garden tools and power equipment.
  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, maintenance instructions, product use directions, and procedure manuals.
  • Familiarity or willingness to learn to identify native and common invasive plants in all seasons.
  • Gardening experience.