Conservation Education Assistant

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Conservation Education Assistant (CEA) will 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.

Education & Outreach: Assist Education Program Manager and Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator to help create and implement interpretive education and 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 signage and other materials for hikers. Help direct and teach the summer Children’s Environmental Explorers program.

Provide general Visitor Center, communications, and operations staff support, including completing office/administrative work, event support, providing information to visiting public and working with and helping to direct volunteers.

Stewardship: 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: 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.

• Ability to speak one-on-one and in front of small to medium sized groups in a consistently professional, positive and approachable manner.
• Supervises no staff, but may help plan and direct preserve work groups, including staff or volunteers.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations for long periods of time in isolated settings, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances. May require considerable physical exertion.
• Makes day-to-day decisions as delegated by supervisor.
• Ability to work under close supervision or independently.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and evenings as necessary.

We’re Looking for You:

Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions for conservation challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. We’re looking for someone who is passionate, motivated, and a problem-solver. Come join TNC and apply today!

• 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).

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 1 - 2 years’ experience or degree in environmental education or related field.
• Experience with teaching/tutoring or customer service.
• Strong written and oral communication skills. Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to manage several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment cooperatively with a variety of volunteers and staff.
• PC and/or mobile…