The Washington Chapter of The Nature Conservancy is deeply engaged in large-scale forest restoration in the Central Cascades region. As part of this work, The Nature Conservancy manages 36,000 acres of forest in the Cle Elum, Washington area, where we are working with community and conservation partners to reconnect and restore fragmented forest so that it can provide improved wildlife habitat, water quality, recreation access, and local natural resource-based jobs.

The Central Cascades Conservation Coordinator will maintain grass-roots community relationships critical to the ongoing management and stewardship of Conservancy-managed forestland in the Central Cascades region and will assist with implementing public access, recreation and forest management plans.

This is a 6-month position, with planned dates of April 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022.

Coordinate Public Access to Conservancy-managed Forestland (35%)

• Implement the Conservancy’s recreation and public access plan by working to promote awareness, share information, and distribute materials that clarify rules and policies, including maps, brochures, and signage.
• Coordinate law enforcement on Conservancy-managed land to ensure access policies are enforced.
• Plan and implement field-based events and tours on Conservancy managed lands.
• Develop a working knowledge of the TNC-managed land in Central Washington, which may include assisting with field tasks and activities.
• Issue permits for events and special uses on the Central Cascades Forest.
• Field coordination with surveyors and appraisers for land transactions.

Assist with Central Cascades Land Management (25%)

• Work with federal partners and recreational groups to implement a trail restoration project.
• Assist Conservation Field Forester with tasks as needed.
• Represent the Conservancy at the East Cascade Recreation Forum, land manager meetings, and Kittitas Fire Adapted Communities Coalition meetings.

Communications, Marketing and Operations (40%)

• Develop and distribute materials that advance and promote key Conservancy priorities.
• Manage and maintain an office with 4-6 employees, a fleet of 3-4 vehicles, and a network of open and locked gates on forest roads.
• Develop and manage communications, outreach and signage related to changes in public access due to active restoration projects, prescribed fire or other situations that require a temporary closure.
• Coordinate proactive communication about climate resilient forests and communities by developing blog posts, videos, social media content, and stories with local news outlets.
• Managing the Taneum video project, including logistical support for a film crew.

Level of Position: The Central Cascades Conservation Coordinator is a junior position, reporting to the Forest Partnerships Manager. They do not supervise staff but may direct work of volunteers or interns.

Within the scope of the position, the Central Cascades Conservation Coordinator will:

• Coordinate and implement stewardship tasks that support conservation goals of the preserves, such as maintaining signage and gates, trail maintenance, and restoration projects.
• Support collaborative partnerships by providing support for meetings, developing communication materials, conducting outreach, and helping to develop materials for grant proposals.
• Coordination and hosting of internal planning meetings and supporting team by managing group notes and workstream documents.
• Assist with contract development, contract management, and project implementation.
• Communicate conservation efforts, such as forest thinning and prescribed-fire restoration treatments to stakeholders, partners, and the general public.

Work Environment and Schedule

• May work under minimal and/or distant supervision; may make some independent decisions based on analysis,
• experience and context.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Schedule is flexible, weekend and evening work is necessary at times.
• Responsible for addressing and/or coordinating a response to land management issues in the Cle Elum, Washington area and must be able to respond (in-person) to issues within 30 minutes.
• Position will run from April 1 – September 30, 2022, for a total of 6 months.
• Candidates who can commit to this duration will be preferred.