The Indigenous Conservation Council recently received a three-year USDA-Forest Service Large Landscape Restoration grant. As part of this project, we are looking for a Project Coordinator to join our team.
This grant will provide fundamental legal, market, and cultural foundational tools to protect ancestral lands in keeping with Indigenous values and remove barriers to accessing emerging ecosystem service markets for Tribal Nations should they wish to do so. The project will engage interested Tribal Nation members of the Indigenous Conservation Council in learning about and accessing technical capacity to understand how these markets work and which ones may be best to explore to build long-term revenue for tribal priorities--from conservation, to cultural, and overall nation building.
Position Title: Project Coordinator
Location: Remote, however candidate must be geographically located in Chesapeake Bay watershed
Reports To: Executive Director
Employment Type: Full-time, three-year-funded position, contingent on continued funding.
Salary Range: $40,000-$50,000
Benefits Provided: Maximum amount allocated towards Health Reimbursable Account (HRA) for pre-tax contributions for health expenses, 5% non elective contribution to 401K, generous paid holiday and paid time-off policies, and flexible work schedule options.
Closing Date: January 31, 2025
Application Instructions: Please send an email with the subject line “Project Coordinator” to the hiring team at info@indigenous-chesapeake.org with your resume and a brief cover letter.
Position Overview:
The Project Coordinator will work closely with the Tribal Nation members of the Indigenous Conservation Council (ICC) to support conservation initiatives aimed at protecting and preserving indigenous lands, culture, and ecosystems and supporting values-aligned sustainable funding that builds tribal capacity.
Following centuries of land dispossession, Tribal Nations seek sustainable revenue streams to catalyze recent momentum in land rematriation. Private ecosystem markets may present a promising opportunity but require a strategic approach supporting sovereignty and Indigenous values. This project, funded by a three-year grant from the USDA Forest Service will address barriers such as aggregation, tribal capacity, and value alignment. The goal is to fill information gaps among tribes to allow them to access these markets should they choose. The core focus of this three-year term position will be to support the execution of this funded project, meaningfully engage and support Tribal Nation members, and ensure increased technical capacity results to address key barriers, concerns, and feedback from participating Tribal Nations.
This position is responsible for tracking project deliverables, liaising with participating Tribal Nations, and supporting technical capacity building efforts delivered by partners providing legal, regulatory, ecosystem and cultural assessments necessary for the initiative. The Coordinator will also play a key role in organizing meetings and engagement activities with Tribal members and technical capacity partners, ensuring effective communication, and documenting outcomes, next steps, and areas for inquiry and assistance. Additionally, the Coordinator will assist in narrative reporting to ensure compliance with grant reporting standards and project activities are properly documented and communicated.
Key Responsibilities:
Tracking Project Deliverables:
Monitor and track the progress of project activities and tribal engagements to ensure that deliverables are met and Tribal Nations have the opportunity to provide feedback and guidance to shape best project outcomes. .
Coordinate with project leads and partners to identify potential roadblocks and assist in troubleshooting solutions.
Provide regular updates on project progress, ensuring alignment with the goals of the Indigenous Conservation Council and benefits to its Tribal Nation members.
Liaising with Tribal Nations and Partners:
Serve as the primary point of contact between the ICC and participating Tribal nations for ongoing project support.
Foster and maintain strong working relationships with Tribal representatives and project partners.
Assist in ensuring that the technical capacity provided by partners is effectively delivered and meets the needs of Tribal nations.
Supporting Meetings and Engagement Activities:
Coordinate and support engagement activities, including meetings, workshops, and webinars with Tribal members, partners, and stakeholders.
Facilitate logistics for meetings, including scheduling, organizing materials, and providing necessary technical support for virtual or in-person gatherings.
Ensure that engagement activities are culturally appropriate, inclusive, and designed to meet the needs and interests of Tribal communities.
Documenting Meeting Outcomes and Next Steps:
Take detailed notes during meetings and engagement activities, documenting key outcomes, decisions, next steps, and areas requiring further inquiry.
Draft and distribute meeting summaries and action plans to ensure clarity and accountability.
Track follow-up actions and deadlines, ensuring that all necessary parties are informed and action items are completed.
Supporting Narrative Reporting:
Contribute to the preparation of narrative reports and other documentation required for internal and external stakeholders.
Ensure that reports clearly reflect the progress of projects, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
Collaborate with team members and partners to ensure accuracy and completeness of all reporting materials including financial reports.
Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Tribal Governance, Project Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
Experience:
Minimum of 2 years of experience in project coordination, community engagement, or conservation-related work.
Experience working with Tribal nations, Indigenous communities, or similar organizations is highly desirable.
Familiarity with projects, environmental sustainability, and tribal capacity-building programs is a plus.
Skills:
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Experience with meeting coordination, note-taking, and follow-up documentation.
Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and build relationships with Indigenous communities and thorough understanding of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent.
Familiarity with reporting and tracking tools (e.g., spreadsheets, project management software).
Strong cultural competency, awareness of the importance of data sovereignty and the ability to engage respectfully with Tribal members and partners.
Other Requirements:
Ability to travel as needed within the Chesapeake Bay watershed and particularly to what is now known as the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently, remotely, and as part of a team.
Personal Characteristics:
Respectful and culturally sensitive, with a commitment to promoting the values and goals of Indigenous communities.
Solution-oriented and adaptable, with a proactive attitude in addressing challenges.
Detail-oriented with the ability to manage complex tasks and maintain high standards of accuracy.
Equal Opportunity Employer & Drug-Free Workplace
The Indigenous Conservation Council is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or any other legally protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic.
Additionally, the Indigenous Conservation Council is a drug-free workplace. We prohibit the use of illegal drugs and alcohol in the workplace and require all employees to comply with our drug-free policy.
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