Conservation Planner

Position Summary
The Conservation Planner is a mid-level position who plays an integral role in TLC’s land protection program. The Planner will serve as the project manager for new and existing conservation plans and initiatives. The preferred candidate will have experience creating and utilizing planning data to develop strategies to achieve the goals of TLC’s strategic action plan as well as GIS (Geographic Information Systems) for producing maps; and some knowledge of the cultural and natural resources. The position will also serve as the TLC liaison for various planning initiatives across the Triangle and work closely with local governments, resource partners, and community members on conservation initiatives.

Essential Duties Include
– Community Outreach
– Plan and help lead stakeholder and community input sessions
– Assist with building and maintaining relationships with partner agencies, organizations, and communities.
– Assist with education and outreach pertaining to land protection work including special events, public relations, plan review, and workshops.

Facilitation
– Coordination of all phases of land protection prioritization including outreach strategies, landowner contact, project evaluation, strategic land protection planning, and grant writing.
– Work on planning projects such as farmland plans and regional initiatives.
– Serve as the liaison between local government, land developers, and TLC.

Advanced GIS
– Provide support in the process of updating existing GIS models and developing new models.
– Developing conservation plans and strategies to support the strategic action plan.
– Manage GIS data and use it to track progress towards achieving the goals in TLC’s strategic action plan.
– Help support the development of concept plans and designs for future preserves and priority areas.

Communications and Planning
– Draft and coordinate strategic conservation plans for TLC Initiatives. – Support partnerships like the Upper Neuse Watershed Protection Program and Jordan Lake One Water Program.
– Grant writing as necessary to support project and planning work.

Essential Experience, Technical Skills and Competencies
– Bachelor’s degree in planning, geographic information systems, geography, environmental management, environmental science, landscape architecture or a closely related field and two years’ experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
– Extensive knowledge of Esri ArcGIS Suite (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, model builder, spatial analyst, network analyst), and ability to learn new trends and technology in GIS applications. Experience customizing ArcGIS using Python a plus.
– Knowledge of advanced spatial analysis and modeling techniques (e.g., site suitability analysis, least cost path analysis, species distribution modeling, hydrology/watershed modeling, etc.).
• Technical writing experience drafting plans, analytical summary tables, and graphics.
• Experience conducting community outreach and working with technical advisory groups and stakeholders.
• Excellent presentation skills, and ability to make technical information accessible to nontechnical audiences.
• Background in natural resource conservation, climate science, and earth science.
• Exceptional critical thinking, analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills; the ability to focus on solutions.
• Awareness of and willingness to actively participate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts with a commitment to seeing how our work can be more equitable and support those efforts.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision as well as collaboratively in an environment that stresses teamwork.
• Flexible and able to manage multiple tasks, work with different personalities and manage tight timelines with accuracy.
• Project management skills with a strong attention to detail.
• A service-oriented mindset with the desire to help others succeed.

How to apply
Applications should be submitted via email as a single pdf to hr@triangleland.org with the subject line “[Position] Application.” The following documents should be included:
1) letter of interest/cover letter
2) maximum two-page resume
3) map work sample (ideally from a conservation planning project)
4) three professional references.
References will not be contacted without notifying you first. All applicants will receive a confirmation email. If you are selected to move forward, HR will contact you. We do not accept online application submission from Indeed, LinkedIn, or Simply Hired. Please no contact from recruiters. And please no emails, phone calls, or drop-ins for application status updates. No paper submissions.