Kaua'i Field Coordinator

The Nature Conservancy (All); Lihue (HI); On-site; USD 57,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy seeks a Kaua‘i-based Field Coordinator to plan, supervise, and execute weed control and native restoration projects. You will lead field teams, manage schedules, maintain safety, and coordinate with partners in remote, rugged terrain.

Strong experience in field operations, GIS mapping, and environmental monitoring is required. Camp 3–4 nights biweekly, endure challenging conditions, and ensure data quality for reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus 3 years in natural resource management or equivalent.
• Experience leading and training staff, interns or volunteers.
• Experience coordinating field projects in remote, rugged conditions involving invasive plant control, ecological monitoring, and helicopter operations.
• Experience with weed control techniques, including chemical, mechanical, and aerial control methods and safety protocols.
• Ability to carry a 50 lb pack, hike up to 12 miles, and perform physical work in adverse conditions and inclement weather.
• Ability to camp in remote, rugged terrain for 3 - 4 nights every other week.
• Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners
• Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
• Excellent organization and communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Experience writing scientific reports on field data.
• Experience with using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and field mapping techniques to collect ecological monitoring data.
• Must be able to obtain Wilderness First Aid/CPR certification, helicopter safety and sling load training certification, and Hawaii State hunting license.

Responsibilities

• Organizing, planning, conducting, and supervising logistically complex natural resources management field operations and effectively prioritize day-to-day operations for multiple projects.
• Ensures safety of field operations in potentially hazardous conditions.
• Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
• Supervises technicians, interns, and volunteers with responsibility for performance management, training and development.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Works in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Will work with Natural Resource Manager to help develop fieldwork plans and field project budgets.
• Network with diverse groups, including landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the public to meet program goals and gain support for the Conservancy.
• Work with Conservancy staff and vendors to develop and manage contract deliverables.
• Stay up to date with current trends and practices in natural resources management as is relevant to our work
• Maintains herbicide supply, application equipment, PPE, records, storage, and ensure safe handling and mixing procedures.
• Supports overall program conservation objectives, including some animal control and fencing activities.

Skills

Staff leadership

Field project coordination

Invasive species control

Weed control techniques

GIS / field mapping

Safety training

Endurance & camping

Communication skills

Report writing

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Web browsers

Education

Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management or similar

Associate degree + 5 years experience

Tools

GIS

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Kauai Field Coordinator plans, coordinates and carries out weed control field operations for natural resource management and supervises field activities, staff, interns, contractors, and volunteers. They scout and map weed populations, lead teams performing weed control, and manage weeding data for TNC and our contractors.

The Field Coordinator must be willing and able to camp in remote mountainous areas for up to four nights at a time every other week andoperatein extremely rugged terrain and adverse weather conditions.Work environment involves exposure to job hazards where there is a high possibility of injury, as well as helicopter operations. They supervise others in these environments, so a commitment to safety is essential.

The Field Coordinator collects, manages, and conducts preliminary analysis of monitoring data. Theyassistwith reporting. They plan trip schedules andlogistics. They track progress on vegetation restorationobjectivesfor TNC and its contractors. The Field Coordinator is expected to manage their time well and effectively prioritize day-to-day operations.The Field Coordinator is expected to communicate and write effectively.

Other activities include animal control, fencing, outreach activities, and vehicle, equipment, and facilities maintenance.Occasional weekend work isrequired. This position is supervised by the Natural Resources Manager and will supervise Field Technician(s) and interns/volunteers. This is currently a termed, 2-year position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This position requires an enthusiastic, motivated, action-oriented person with experience in planning, conducting, and supervising natural resources management field operations in potentially hazardous conditions. These operations include surveying, mapping, monitoring, and controlling alien species and their impacts to native forests.The Field Coordinator must be willing and able to camp in remote mountainous areas for up to four nights at a timeevery other weekandoperatein extremely rugged terrain and adverse weather conditions.Work environment involves exposure to job hazards where there is a high possibility of injury, as well as helicopter operations, so a commitment to safety is essential.The FieldCoordinator develops,plansand advances conservation programs and coordinates multiple projects, at small to medium scale geographic areas and provides technical leadership, logistical planning, training and direction to field technicians, contractors, interns,and volunteers toenable them to lead or implement threat abatement and research projects in TNC preserves and for landscape-scale management projects.The Field Coordinatorcollects,manages, and conducts preliminary analysis ofmonitoring datain a spatial databasewiththe support of the GIS Coordinator and assists the Natural Resource Manager (NRM)andother Field Coordinatorwith developing resource management plans and reports.The Field Coordinatorassiststhe NRM with training and supervising volunteers, interns, and contractors and building partnerships with other resource management agencies and organizations.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Organizing, planning, conducting, and supervisinglogistically complexnatural resources management field operationsand effectively prioritize day-to-day operationsfor multiple projects.
• Ensures safety of field operationsin potentially hazardous conditions.
• Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis,experienceand context.
• Supervises technicians, interns, and volunteerswith responsibility for performance management,trainingand development.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Worksin variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Will work with Natural Resource Manager tohelp developfieldwork plans andfieldproject budgets.
• Network with diverse groups, including landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, boardmembersand the public to meet program goals and gain support for the Conservancy.
• Work with Conservancy staff and vendors to develop and manage contract deliverables.
• Stay up to date with current trends and practices in natural resources management as is relevant to ourwork
• Maintains herbicidesupply,application equipment, PPE, records, storage,and ensuressafe handling and mixingprocedures.
• Supports overall programconservationobjectives, includingsome animal control and fencing activities.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of experience in natural resource management or similar field (or equivalent combination of education and experience, such as an associate's degree and 5 years of experience).
• Experience leading and training staff, interns or volunteers.
• Experience coordinating field projects in remote, rugged conditions involving invasive plant control,ecologicalmonitoring, and helicopter operations.
• Experience with weed control techniques, including chemical,mechanical, and aerialcontrol methods and safety protocols.
• Ability to carry a 50 lb.pack, hike up to 12 miles, and perform physical work in adverse conditions and inclement weather.
• Ability to camp in remote, rugged terrain for 3 - 4 nights every other week.
• Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners
• Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
• Excellent organization and communication skills via written,spokenand graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Experiencewritingscientific reports on field data.
• Experience withusingGeographic Information Systems (GIS)andfield mapping techniquestocollect ecologicalmonitoring data.
• Must be able to obtain Wilderness First Aid/CPR certification, helicopter safety and sling load training certification,and Hawaii State hunting license.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working withHawai‘i’s natural systems and cultural practices as they relate to land management.Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Native Hawaiian and alien plant and animal identification skills.
• 3 - 5 years of experience in natural resource management, similar field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, settingobjectivesand managing performance.
• Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
• Knowledge of ecological land management principles.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Salary Information:

The starting annual pay for this position is within the range of $57,400 - $60,840. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA and whose location is within the County of Kaua'i, Hawai'i. Where a successful candidate’s pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including location, qualifications, skills, and experience. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment. (Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges.)

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

What We Bring:

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [e-mail] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.