Land Steward and Volunteer Programs Coordinator

The non-profit Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests seeks an experienced, enthusiastic, and motivated individual for the position of Land Steward and Volunteer Programs Coordinator. The successful candidate will have exceptional interpersonal, written, oral and presentation skills including experience interacting with the public. 

This is a full time position based in Concord, NH.  The Land Steward and Volunteer Programs Coordinator is primarily responsible for managing the Forest Society’s volunteer programs which includes recruiting and training new volunteers and land stewards. 

The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is a statewide land conservation organization that was founded in 1901 to protect New Hampshire’s most important landscapes and promote wise use of its renewable natural resources.  Today, with 9,400 member households and over 40 employees, the Forest Society owns 172 reservations in 102 communities across the state, and has interests and monitoring responsibilities for 818 conservation easements.  With ongoing programs in advocacy, land protection and sustainable forest management, the Forest Society consistently ranks among the nation’s top land trusts and has been a leader in setting the standard for American land protection.    If you enjoy working both independently and in a cooperative team-approach in a challenging, at times fast-paced, but always rewarding, setting you may be the right person for this position.

If you’re interested in becoming a member of the dedicated Forest Society staff email a resume, cover letter and references to rlapitino@forestsociety.org by November 22nd, 2021 (or mail a hard copy resume, cover letter and references to The Society for the Protection of NH Forests c/o: Rebecca Lapitino • 54 Portsmouth Street • Concord, NH 03301-5400).

The Forest Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.   

No phone calls please.

 

 Full Job Description:

Land Steward and Volunteer Programs Coordinator

Reservation Stewardship Department

Reports to:   Reservation Stewardship & Engagement Director   

This position is: Nonexempt, Full time, Regular

Annual salary: $40,000

Equity, Inclusion & Collaboration

The Forest Society is an equity-based employer. We value a diverse staff and an inclusive culture.  We value staff that work for the good of the whole; that can affectively collaborate to achieve shared goals of their department, as well as the organization. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or and other protected status as required by applicable law. 

Position Summary:                                                                                         

The Land Steward and Volunteer Programs Coordinator is responsible for managing the Forest Society’s volunteer programs.  This includes recruiting and training new volunteers for the Land Steward Program and Volunteer Conservation Corps, and organizing and supervising more than 180 volunteers already engaged in these programs.  The position directly assists Reservation Stewardship staff in completing recreation and stewardship tasks and projects on Forest Society reservations, via planning and implementing volunteer workdays and coordinating monitoring efforts.  The Land Steward and Volunteer Programs Coordinator is also responsible for onboarding new volunteers in other programs, assisting staff in recruiting and managing those volunteers, maintaining the volunteer database and tracking all volunteer program data, and organizing and implementing volunteer appreciation events for all Forest Society volunteers. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Responsible for running the Forest Society’s Land Steward Program. Recruit, train, and supervise volunteer Land Stewards (160-170 active stewards to date) and other reservation stewardship volunteers (Conservation Corps)
  • Develop and implement annual core training program and supplementary educational workshops for Land Stewards
  • Identify reservation stewardship issues that volunteers can assist with, and coordinate and supervise 10-15 Land Steward workdays (primarily trail and stewardship projects) on Forest Society reservations annually
  • Communicate regularly with volunteers via email, phone, and website updates.  Publish volunteer newsletter regularly to all active and potential volunteers with information about volunteer opportunities and policies, as well as important Forest Society initiatives and projects to help volunteers stay engaged with the organization.
  • Work with Forest Society staff to recruit and organize potential volunteers for other volunteer programs, such as the Volunteer Easement Monitoring Program (VEMP), membership/office volunteers, or special events volunteers.  Connect with staff using volunteers frequently to troubleshoot problems and ensure paperwork and volunteer data/hours are recorded.
  • Maintain online volunteer database across all volunteer programs, keeping contact information and hours up to date. Review and process monitoring reports from Land Stewards, address issues and record volunteer hours and statistics.
  • Organize and implement an annual meeting for Land Stewards, highlighting Land Steward achievements, recognizing land steward contributions and summarizing program data. 
  • Plan and implement volunteer appreciation events, such as an annual Volunteer Dinner, to recognize the efforts of all Forest Society volunteers.  Find creative new ways to recognize and celebrate volunteer achievement.
  • Coordinate internal process for selection of Forest Society’s Trish Churchill Volunteer of the Year.  Nominate other outstanding volunteer for awards such as the Volunteer NH Spirit of New Hampshire Awards.
  • Generate media (print, video, photo) highlighting volunteer achievements and programs, including articles in Forest Notes magazine, blog posts, and social media posts.  Maintain portions of Forest Society website relating to volunteers; post volunteer events on website calendar.
  • Plan and implement volunteer workdays for trail and other recreational infrastructure maintenance on Forest Society, in coordination with the Reservation Stewardship staff.  Supervise volunteer or paid work crews and/or interns in trail maintenance projects as directed.
  • Coordinate volunteer recruitment and organization for Monadnock Trail Week, an annual 5-day volunteer trail work event on Mount Monadnock.  Assist with planning and implementation of this event.
  • Prepare annual work plan and budget for Volunteers.  Manage actual revenue and expense according to annual budget. 
  • Annually evaluate the success and effectiveness of volunteer programs and improve the program based on the evaluation.
  • Assist with supervision of interns for Outreach & Education or Reservation Stewardship Departments, as directed.

 

Contributions and Outcomes:

This position will ensure the continued success and advancement of the Forest Society’s volunteer programs, and especially the Land Steward Program and Conservation Corps.  The program coordinator will provide all needed volunteer training and support and be an effective and responsive liaison between stewardship volunteers and the Reservation Stewardship Department.  The position will, through the employment and engagement of land stewards, have a key role in ensuring that the Forest Society reservations are adequately monitored on an annual basis.  It will complete high-priority stewardship tasks on Forest Society lands through the engagement of land steward and conservation corps volunteers, organizing and implementing numerous workdays annually.  The position will recruit and onboard new volunteers for other volunteer programs and assist staff working with volunteers to administer their volunteer programs.  Volunteer data, including contact information, volunteer status, and volunteer hours will be kept up to date by the person in this position, and made available to other Forest Society staff.  This position also ensures that all volunteers across the organization feel welcomed and appreciated for their efforts, through recognition and appreciation events and efforts. 

Qualifications and Skills required:

  • Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, recreation management, environmental or natural sciences and 2 years experience in related fields; OR
  • Graduate degree in any of the above fields and 1 year experience in a related field.
  • Exceptional interpersonal, written, oral and presentation skills.
  • Ability to work hospitably with people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and personalities, and to encourage a positive, safe and fun working environment.
  • Experience in land stewardship, trail maintenance, recreational management and/or forestry.
  • Able to navigate using map/survey and compass.  Experience using navigational apps for mobile devices to collect field data (tracks, points, photos).
  • Experience training and coordinating adult volunteers, preferably for work in outdoor settings.
  • Competence using ArcGIS 10, MS Access, Word, Excel, Publisher and PowerPoint.  Experience editing website content also a plus.  Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
  • Familiarity with NH geography, culture and history.
  • Valid drivers license, proof of insurance and reliable transportation.

Working Conditions:

  • This position requires significant outdoor work under varying field conditions.  Approximately 40% fieldwork and 60% office overall.  Flexible work schedule (some evenings and weekends required).

Physical Requirements:

Field work on Forest Society reservations may be physically demanding.  Applicant should be able to lift 50lbs, hike long distances over variable terrain, be comfortable navigating through the woods and hiking alone, and be able to conduct field work in a variety of weather conditions.   

Direct Reports:

This position supervises 160+ volunteers, individually and in large groups, as well as seasonal interns and occasional temporary paid staff.