The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit  Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

The Chicago Urban Conservation Program builds on the Conservancy’s science-based, collaborative, results-oriented approach and its record of contributing creative and effective solutions to conservation challenges. We work to achieve benefits for people and nature in Chicago and neighboring communities by increasing access to and engagement with urban nature, increasing urban biodiversity and improving community resilience and public health by implementing natural solutions as essential components of a healthy, just, climate-resilient city. All our work is done collaboratively in partnership with other leading agencies and organizations across Chicago and neighboring communities and aligned with environmental and social justice priorities.

The Community Stewardship Program Manager will manage the Chicago Park District’s Natural Areas community stewardship program and supervise volunteers who perform restoration, conservation, monitoring, and engagement work. This position will be under the joint direction of the Director of Community Engagement (The Nature Conservancy) and the Natural Areas Project Manager (Chicago Park District).

The Community Stewardship Program Manager will be responsible for assisting Chicago Park District (CPD) staff to empower and engage community members to care for and activate CPD natural areas. The Manager will be responsible for education, recruitment, training, and coordination of a wide diversity of volunteers for stewardship activities such as assisting with ecological restoration and monitoring of species in natural areas, thus building upon the District’s capacity to accomplish such activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Work with CPD staff, volunteer stewards, and partners to determine and coordinate volunteer activities in CPD natural areas
• Coordinate, advertise, and supervise stewardship workdays and special events.
• Recruit a diversity of individual and group volunteers through various methods such as relationship building, developing partnerships (e.g. with community organizations,  community members, environmental organizations, businesses, park advisory councils, faith groups, and local schools), tabling at conferences and other events, and developing outreach and educational materials.
• Develop retention, recognition, and training opportunities for volunteers, including updating the community stewardship handbook.
• Recruit and supervise volunteer ecological monitors, coordinate training workshops, and maintain records of ecological monitoring activities.
• Maintain stewardship volunteer database, keep records of workday activities and attendance.
• Create an annual report, submit budgets, and contribute information for grants, press releases, and other materials to increase awareness of stewardship program.
• Work with CPD staff to develop work orders, workday management plans, and schedules.
• Assist CPD staff with projects such as interpretive signage, website updates, press releases, fact sheets, etc.
• Collaborate with the Chicago Area Program and other TNC networks as needed to contribute to program development and share best practices.
• Principal work location is the CPD office in Chicago, Illinois, with supplemental space at the TNC Chicago office. Due to the flexibility required in this position other work locations may be utilized from time to time. Work on weekends and some evenings will be expected.
• The employee will need to pass a CPD background check prior to employment.