Land Stewardship Manager

Position details: Full Time Contract (13 months)

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Regional Vice President, Atlantic to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.

NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, we have brought people together to conserve and restore more than 20 million hectares across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, evidence-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With office locations in all ten provinces across Canada, NCC delivers results you can walk on.

NCC recognizes that we work on lands that have long been cared for by Indigenous Peoples under their own laws and knowledge systems. We are committed to transforming how we do our work, advancing Reconciliation through conservation, and working with Indigenous Peoples in meaningful, respectful, and supportive ways.

Position Summary

The Land Stewardship Manager is responsible and accountable for ensuring Conservation Agreements, stewardship projects and activities are in keeping with NCC’s vision and mandate, comply with NCC-wide Policies, Procedures, and Supporting Documents (PPSDs) and are not posing legal and corporate risk. The manager provides direction for reducing and managing responsibilities and liabilities on NCC lands, identifies stewardship best practices, and recommends improvements to NCC stewardship programs to maximize conservation outcomes.

Position Requirements

• Post Secondary or Graduate Degree in ecology, conservation biology or related discipline with at least 5 years of related experience or the equivalent
• Knowledge of and experience with land transactions and NCC practices and processes 
• Experience with NCC’s Land Information System
• 5 years of related conservation experience 
• Minimum 3 years of experience with Conservation Agreements

Key Responsibilities 

• Conservation Agreements Review and Approval for their monitorability and enforceability 
• Ensuring issues revealed during Conservation Agreement compliance monitoring are appropriately remedied in a timely manner, reported and tracked.

• Annual reporting on key performance indicators 
• Developing stewardship policy, procedure and supporting documents 
• Providing directions for reducing and managing responsibilities and liabilities on NCC lands
• Ensuring land uses and stewardship activities on NCC lands and Conservation Agreements are consistent with intended uses and conservation objectives, and don’t result in unauthorized change in use as defined by the Ecological Gift Program and other external program requirements as necessary
• Liaising with external partners to maintain best conservation operation practices
• Developing and delivering effective training and provide staff with on-going support and learning opportunities to related to NCC’s Conservation Agreement Program
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Land Stewardship and the VP of Conservation Policy and Planning 

Skills and Aptitudes 

• Problem-solving skills; ability to make decisions, sound judgment; creativity 
• Strong data analysis skills 
• Familiarity with land titles and land description
• Demonstrated understanding of legal agreements and the issues and requirements involved in their use
• Ability to foster good working relationships with NCC staff at regional and national levels as well as external partners 
• Proactive – able to anticipate and plan for future needs 
• Demonstrated project management skills, including planning, budgeting and organizational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfort communicating with a wide variety of audiences
• Flexibility in approach – the ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Knowledge of risk management and related due diligence required
• Knowledge of and experience in on-the-ground stewardship
• Experience in training delivery would be an asset 
• French language skills would be an asset