Habitat Restoration Program Coordinator

**Job Title**: Habitat Restoration Program Coordinator

**Reports to**: Director, Invasive Species Program

**Term**: June 12, 2023 - July 31, 2024

**Salary Range**: $63,950 - $71,909

**Location**: Southwestern Ontario, Norfolk County preferred

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Habitat Restoration Program Coordinator, for NCC’s Southwestern Ontario (SWO) subregion to join a dynamic and experienced team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain. NCC is the country’s leading private land conservation organization. As a non-profit, charitable organization we work in partnership with individuals, corporations, governments and other non-profit groups to protect our most important natural treasures. We take a collaborative and science-based approach to our mission. Since 1962 NCC and its partners have helped to conserve 15 million hectares from coast to coast to coast. With National headquarters in Toronto and regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.

**Overview**:
Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity on NCC lands and in NCC’s Natural Areas in Ontario. Aggressive and ongoing control based on the latest tools and strategies is necessary to maintain and restore Natural Area conservation targets. This position will support the Director, Invasive Species Program (ISPD) in leading invasive species management projects that mitigate threats to habitat and species targets across Ontario with a focus on initiatives that benefit Ontario Region’s priority Natural Areas. The role will coordinate contractors, external partners, including NGOs, government agencies, Conservation Authorities, landowners and landowner groups, and other interest groups, to collaboratively manage invasive species at a landscape scale. The position will work closely with the ISPD to develop and deliver new and existing invasive species and habitat restoration management projects in he southwestern Ontario including NCC’s Phragmites management programs.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Coordinate the implementation of landscape-scale control of invasive species, focusing on existing Phragmites initiatives in the Lambton shores area;
- Organize and lead the operational development and delivery of a multi-stakeholder initiative to restore critical ecosystem-level habitat through control of invasive Phragmites in southwestern Ontario, using the collaborative strength of community-based working groups. Develop and maintain strong partnerships, successful public awareness and outreach strategies and use innovative management techniques to deliver a highly effective landowner extension program for Phragmites control on private, public and NCC lands;
- Undertake communication and outreach efforts and support adaptive management through networks of partners, stakeholders and landowners;
- Navigate, acquire and interpret government policy, necessary permits and ensure associated compliance to achieve tangible results on the ground;
- Provide project management and administrative support to the Director, Invasive Species Program including grant preparation and reporting, budget management and internal conservation planning and tracking;
- Assist with reporting for a budget of several hundred thousand dollars annually under direction of the ISPD.

**Key Result Areas**
- Immediate key results for this position will be the development and successful implementation of the multi-stakeholder initiative to control Phragmites within the watersheds of the Lake St. Clair Shoreline, including the creation of a collaborative community-based group and engagement of private and public landowners;
- Over time, this position will assist the ISPD to liaise on larger complex files with government, industry and NGO’s relating to invasive Phragmites control technologies and landscape scale control efforts across Southwestern Ontario region.

**Knowledge and Experience**
- Knowledge of invasive species management principles and practices including emerging threats, control techniques and impacts to biodiversity
- Understanding of the natural heritage and biodiversity found in the Carolinian zone; particularly wetland species and habitats
- Familiarity with COSEWIC and COSSARO designated species and recovery plans as they relate to habitat restoration and invasive species impacts;
- Familiarity with Ontario’s Natural Heritage Information Centre and other sources of biodiversity information;
- Experience working in remote field conditions under adverse conditions (rain, bugs, hot/cold temperatures, snow/ice etc.)
- Ability to travel within Ontario and the flexibility to work long hours at times

**Community and Partnership Liaison**
- Complex partnerships are at the core of this position requiring the incumbent to positively engage stakeholders including