POSITION IDENTIFICATION

　　Director of Conservation; full-time; 40 hours/week; FLSA exempt 

　　*ABOUT THE GRAND TRAVERSE CONSERVATION DISTRICT *

　　Based out of the Boardman River Nature Center in Traverse City, Michigan, the Grand Traverse Conservation District is a community-serving organization that cares for the people and places that make Northwest Michigan so special. We've been working for nearly 80 years to provide gateways to the natural world, restore natural areas, train future generations of conservation leaders, and support sustainable, local agriculture. Our mission is to lead, facilitate, and inspire exploration, appreciation, conservation, and restoration of our natural world.  

　　Through resource management agreements with Grand Traverse County, the City of Traverse City, the Recreational Authority, and Traverse City Rotary Camps & Services, the Grand Traverse Conservation District manages over 2,500 acres of public parkland in Grand Traverse County. The District also provides assistance in project planning and implementation to various stakeholders and municipalities in our region, such as Whitewater Township, East Bay Township, and the Charter Township of Garfield, as well as for other public parkland properties. Our role in land management includes management plan development, oversight and implementation of parkland improvement projects, monitoring and restoring native habitats, and providing community stewardship opportunities.

　　POSITION SUMMARY

　　The Director of Conservation manages and directs the activities of the District's Conservation Team in providing land management services to local governmental units, nonprofits and private landowners.  S/He is also responsible for overseeing the Nature Center Grounds Keeper who is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the Nature Center buildings, grounds, vehicles, equipment, as well as the grounds of the Great Lakes Incubator Farm (GLIF).  Specific duties include:  overseeing development and implementation of budgets and annual work plans; building and leading his/her Team and evaluating its performance and the performance of its members; collaborating with the District's Education Team to maximize educational and community engagement aspects of conservation projects; serving as the primary point of contact for landowners and clients receiving the District's stewardship services; and developing and administering contracts for resource management services.

　　RELATIONSHIPS

　　Reports to:  Executive Director

　　Supervises:  Conservation Team (Parkland Management, Nature Center Groundskeeper)

　　Works with:  Management Team and volunteers and collaborates extensively with Education Team and other GTCD programming as necessary

　　External Stakeholders:  Municipalities, non-profits, landowners, donors, volunteers and parks users