Overview

The Community Conservation Specialist will represent TWS within longstanding coalitions of community and conservation partners; build new strategic relationships with individuals and community organizations; help advance community-identified priorities; and coordinate with both internal TWS teams and external partners. The successful candidate will collaboratively develop and implement equitable landscape conservation strategies in the Southern Appalachian Mountains landscape that improve the resilience of communities, lands, waters, and wildlife to climate change through the incorporation of science, Traditional Knowledge, and long-term community partnerships in place-based plans and work.

Additionally, this position plays an important role in supporting an inclusive organizational culture that is grounded in transparency, collaboration and trust and accountability to shared goals and outcomes. TWS has made diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic priorities for the organization and the Community Conservation Specialist will integrate these priorities throughout our work. Across our team, we aspire to be campaign-oriented, nimble, collaborative, innovative, transparent, and supportive of staff – our greatest asset.

Essential duties and responsibilities

Focused on the Georgia/North Carolina/Tennessee/Southern Virginia portion of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, this position will:

• Respectfully and collaboratively work with existing coalitions of community and conservation partners to advance collaborative partner agreements for conservation and other community outcomes tied closely to TWS Strategic Plan Results.
• Play various roles within coalitions depending on need, at times leading, facilitating, supporting, or contributing in other ways while demonstrating a belief that no task is too big or too small.
• Build and strengthen relationships with a wide variety of community and landscape partners in rural and urban settings including volunteers, organizations, elected officials, sovereign Tribal Nations, federal/state agency staff, businesses, public land user groups (inc. timber, water, recreation), and others.
• Identify and pursue partnership opportunities that expand equitable benefits of- and broaden support for- TWS Strategic Plan priorities in the Southern Appalachian landscape.
• Coordinate closely with and participate in cross-functional, multi-disciplinary TWS internal teams to develop and implement equitable landscape conservation strategies in the Southern Appalachian landscape. Cross-functional teams will include staff with expertise in science, communications, government relations, philanthropy, and conservation.
• Work collaboratively with TWS Communications staff to organize media opportunities/events that message positive benefits of community-based conservation efforts in the Southern Appalachian landscape. As appropriate, serve as a TWS media contact for select projects and campaigns in the landscape.
• Prepare written and visual materials such as fact sheets, news releases, and action alerts that demonstrate the importance of community-based conservation to the health, economic vitality, and quality of life for the people living in this region’s communities.
• Represent TWS in public land management processes relevant to TWS Strategic Plan Results such as US Forest Service Forest Plan Revisions, and other processes as needed.
• Assist with grant proposal writing, grant reporting, and other fundraising efforts as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 3 years demonstrated ability to inclusively and transparently coordinate complex processes involving a wide range of interests including local citizens and stakeholders, organizations, Tribes, federal, state, and/or local agencies.
• Successful track record collaborating with and organizing diverse interests in an inclusive, transparent, and effective manner.
• Long-term vision for how to effectively move community-led conservation forward including how to build durable, inclusive, diverse, and equitable coalitions.
• Outstanding track record of working respectfully, transparently, and successfully in teams representing a rich mix of talent, backgrounds, and perspectives—across race, gender, and other identities.
• Must be a humble, respectful, and collaborative person – effective at operating with a multitude of audiences and committed to supporting others in accomplishing our conservation goals.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills, ability to write and speak concisely and persuasively, proficiency in communicating with the public and media professionals.
• Able to effectively manage multiple demands and deadlines.
• Must be able to manage projects and work effectively in a team environment.
• Solid experience participating in and coordinating campaigns in conservation, social justice or other political oriented fields.
• Existing knowledge and relationships with partners across the Southern Appalachian region and understanding of their work and priorities is desirable.
• GIS skills and experience with spatial analysis are desirable.