Forest conservation, Natural resource management

Position: Manager, Natural Areas (Northern Ontario)
Organization: The Nature Conservancy of Canada
Location: Hearst, ON or surrounding area

Position details: Full-time permanent
Salary Range: $81,549.00 To $91,742.00 Annually

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Manager, Natural Areas - Northern Ontario 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 15 million hectares across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, evidence-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country, 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

This position is a unique opportunity to work in the boreal forest, a critical forest and wetland ecosystem that covers more than 50% of Canada’s landmass. The successful candidate will help NCC build out our collaborative management approach on Canada’s largest private-land conservation project – the Boreal Wildlands. The Boreal Wildlands project offers an opportunity to collaborate with our Indigenous partners to manage 145,000 hectares of forest, wetland, lakes and rivers; monitoring wildlife, restoring habitats, and supporting First Nation-led forest landscape stewardship. The successful candidate will support NCC’s work on our existing projects, as well as helping to grow our working relationships with Indigenous partners and establish new conservation lands in this dynamic forest ecosystem.

The Manager, Natural Areas - Northern Ontario is responsible for the delivery of conservation programs in Northern Ontario in accordance with NCC’s policies, procedures, standards and guidelines. The primary area of focus for this position is northeastern Ontario with some responsibility for stewardship activities across Northern Ontario. The Manager, Natural Areas will lead the planning and implementation of stewardship activities on conservation easement and fee simple properties, support land securement, build and maintain strong relationships and partnerships with Indigenous and local communities, conduct outreach activities, and act as the key NCC contact in northeastern Ontario. The Manager, Natural Areas will report to the Program Director – Northern Ontario and will work closely with other conservation staff, and the rest of the regional team in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Land Stewardship

• Lead the implementation of stewardship conservation actions identified through NCC’s systematic conservation planning (e.g. land and species management, invasive species management, risk management);
• Lead inventory, monitoring and reporting activities for new NCC projects;
• Administer and manage leases, access agreements, and contracts pertaining to NCC properties, ensuring all conditions are met in a timely fashion;
• Conduct annual property monitoring of owned lands or lands under easement, working with staff, summer interns and volunteers as appropriate;
• Deliver annual property reports to landowners and partners, as required;
• Implement Species At Risk stewardship activities and grant deliverables;
• Support external relationships and partnership projects (i.e. carbon, hunting, Indigenous land sharing etc.);
• Lead visitor use management for NCC’s land portfolio in northeastern ON; and
• Coordinate compliance monitoring programs and deal effectively with any issues identified.

2. Land Securement

• Support the Program Director – Northern Ontario with identification of potential land securement projects (i.e. fee simple securement, conservation easements, other effective conservation measures etc.);
• Coordinate and conduct site visits to assess potential securement opportunities;
• Lead and support as appropriate, the preparation of legal agreements, Conservation Project Summaries, budgets and reporting to funders; and
• Maintain up to date records on securement projects in NCC’s Land Resource Management System.

3. Partnerships

• Maintain and strengthen our unique relationships with our Indigenous partners in northern Ontario, working together on collaborative conservation projects;
• Forge new genuine relationships with Indigenous communities and work to proactively engage partners, including Indigenous-led conservation, establishment of new conservation lands and stewardship of existing conservation lands;
• Establish and maintain positive and productive relationships with private landowners working with NCC and other members of the local community;
• Coordinate various public outreach events which enhance community members awareness of NCC’s exemplary land stewardship practices; and
• Represent NCC on various committees and at meetings or workshops related to land conservation.

4. Conservation Planning

• Lead conservation planning for new NCC land projects and support landscape scale planning in northern Ontario following established NCC planning processes; and
• Report on progress achieved at intervals specified in NCC conservation plans.

5. Development and Communications

• Assist the Development team to create and deliver proposals, and related materials for use in soliciting individual, foundation and corporate gifts;
• In collaboration with Communications staff, develop and implement communication actions in support of program delivery;
• Manage proposal and reporting dates and reminders to meet donor obligations;
• Field enquiries from donors and potential donors; and
• Assist the Development team with donor reports as required.

6. People Management

• Work closely with the Program Director – Northern Ontario to coordinate work planning, human resources/hiring and training;
• Supervise conservation staff, technicians and volunteers following NCC’s policies and procedures; and
• Support professional development and performance management of direct reports including regular check-ins to ensure successful program delivery.

7. Budgeting and Workplans

• Develop annual budgets and workplans in support of program delivery in northeastern Ontario;
• Work closely with the Program Director – Northern Ontario to review, approve and adjust annual budgets and workplans;
• Track and manage progress against budgets and workplans; and
• Other duties and tasks as assigned.

Position Requirements:

• University degree or college diploma and at least 5 years professional experience in forest conservation, landscape ecology, conservation biology, natural resource management, or related field.
• A superior working knowledge of northern Ontario’s landscapes, communities, and conservation issues.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities including a thorough understanding of engagement best practices and land sharing approaches.
• Knowledge of northern Ontario’s Species at Risk.
• Leadership and managerial skills to effectively support junior conservation staff.
• The ability to build and support effective partnerships both within and outside NCC to achieve the organization’s goals.
• Project management skills, including excellent problem solving, planning and organizational skills, and attention to details and timelines.
• Demonstrated experience to develop, track and reporting on complex budgets
• Working knowledge of conservation planning processes.
• Strong organization, communication, and presentation skills, including demonstrated experience in making public presentations.
• Flexibility, reliability, self-motivation, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite; some knowledge of database and GIS software is beneficial.
• Conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout northern Ontario.
• Experience working in remote environments, including operating an all-terrain vehicle and hauling a trailer.
• Experience in forestry and/or forest management is considered an asset.

How to Apply

NCC is an equal opportunity employer. If you are interested in joining our team, please submit your cover letter, resume and salary expectations through our Career Centre.

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Closing date for applications: April 4, 2025, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

At NCC, we're committed to providing a healthy, safe, barrier free and inclusive, workplace, where respect and diversity are recognized assets. We strive for bold conservation achievements in which equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are the norm. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. NCC implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. For a confidential inquiry, contact us by email at hr@natureconservancy.ca to make any required arrangements. If you have questions regarding accessible employment at NCC, please email us at hr@natureconservancy.ca .