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Wild Acadia Coordinator

Location: Park Headquarters, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, ME, and remote or in the field
Reporting to: Friends of Acadia’s Vice President of Conservation with assistance from Acadia National Park Chief of Resource Management and Acadia National Park Science Coordinator
Job type: Full-Time (40 hours/week)

JOB SUMMARY: The Wild Acadia Coordinator supports the National Park Service (NPS), Friends of Acadia (FOA), and partners in implementation of Wild Acadia, an initiative designed to help Acadia’s natural and cultural resources be resilient during an era of rapid climate change. Acadia is at the forefront of a new management paradigm focused on whether to resist the changes anticipated, accept them, or direct park ecosystems toward preferred future conditions. Acadia is also at the forefront in combining resources and expertise from diverse partners, including researchers, philanthropic partners, contracted businesses, and federal, state, and local agencies to achieve shared objectives.

The Wild Acadia Coordinator will serve as a link among multiple stakeholders and will manage projects that may include climate-focused habitat restoration, monitoring of target indicators, invasive species removal and vegetation restoration, cultural landscape restoration, and habitat connectivity improvements. The Coordinator will also be responsible for communicating Wild Acadia programs and projects to diverse audiences. The position is embedded within the Acadia National Park’s Resource Management division and will interface with NPS resource managers and partners daily.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Administration and Project Management- 70%

• Serve as a link among multiple stakeholders and projects, ensuring that partners are aware of what others are doing, coordinating timelines for implementation, and sharing data and expertise.
• Coordinate partners to prepare and update planning for the Wild Acadia initiative, as well as specific action plans pertaining to the initiative.
• Prepare and maintain the budget for the Wild Acadia initiative, including FOA funds, NPS project funds, grants, and partner contributions.
• Negotiate agreements and other cooperative instruments needed to effectively implement the initiative.
• Track project deadlines and deliverables from contractors and cooperators and ensure that reports and data are disseminated and managed according to NPS standards.
• Work with specific project leads (e.g., staff within park divisions and partners) to identify research and engineering needs, prepare requests for proposals or statements of work, and provide oversight for research and engineering projects.
• Provide construction oversight during project implementation.
• Review and/or approve invoices for services performed during project implementation.
• In cooperation with appropriate staff and partners, design, develop, test, and implement scientific monitoring protocols, data management systems, and other techniques to identify problems and evaluate changes in conditions and the success of the initiative at meeting its goals.
• Provide support for Wild Acadia-related research projects in the park—e.g., logistical support, convening of stakeholders, and communication.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to environmental protection.
• When appropriate, oversee the work of interns or volunteers involved in the Wild Acadia initiative.

Communications – 25%

• Ensure that Wild Acadia project activities and results are communicated to various stakeholder audiences.
• Represent the Wild Acadia initiative at public meetings, field trips, and meetings with stakeholders, such as towns, government agencies, businesses, FOA donors and residents.
• Participate in the development, implementation, and revision of the Wild Acadia Communications Plan to outline communication goals, measurable outcomes, target audiences, core messages, communications strategies, and tactics.
• Present methods, findings, and strategies used in Wild Acadia at local, regional, and national gatherings.
• Write articles for Acadia magazine and other materials as needed.
• Help prepare grant proposals and grant reports in support of Friends of Acadia’s fundraising efforts for the Wild Acadia initiative.

Other – 5%

• Participate in FOA organizational activities, such as staff retreats, donor events, and volunteer days.
• Participate in NPS organizational activities, such as staff retreats, resource management staff meetings, and conservation planning efforts.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Five years of project management experience.
• Broad knowledge of natural resources subject matter including ecology, botany, biology, water resources, geology, engineering, science communications, or other disciplines applicable to the Wild Acadia initiative.
• Proven written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex scientific topics and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with coworkers, volunteers, community leaders, researchers, and various individuals contacted during work.
• Ability to understand challenges, think strategically, and identify/implement solutions.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and synthesize substantial amounts of data from various sources to provide meaningful information and insight. Knowledge of sources and uses of data relevant to resource management and ecological restoration.
• Ability to pass a government background check.
• Ability to operate computer, printer, photocopier, postage machine, laminating machine, and other office equipment.
• Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn other data storage and visualization software.
• Valid Driver’s License and reliable transportation for travel to/from work.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion. Desirable Qualifications
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
• Knowledge of ecosystem restoration best practices
• Knowledge of NPS guidelines, procedures, and techniques for designing, implementing, and monitoring natural and cultural resource projects.
• GIS skills – ability to create geospatial datasets from data collected in the field, analyze GIS data, and use those datasets and analysis results in planning, reporting, and communication.
• Excellent data entry skills with a solid commitment to accuracy, details, tracking, and follow-through and an ability to strategically organize, process, and maintain records; identify and implement process improvements.
• Ability to understand and adapt to recent technologies quickly.

Work Environment
The position is primarily an office-based position with occasional field work. The Wild Acadia Project Coordinator must be able to walk or hike up to ten miles per day and must be able to lift up to 50 pounds. Evening, weekend, and some overnight work is required, including at events and some holidays.

Salary
The Wild Acadia Project Coordinator position is a full-time (40 hours per week), full-benefits position with a starting pay around $61,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

To Apply: Send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to Stephanie Clement at stephanie@friendsofacadia.org. Questions about the position may also be directed to her.

Deadline for Applications: March 27, 2023, but the position will remain open until filled.

 
Friends of Acadia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Friends of Acadia is an independent nonprofit organization, founded in 1986. Its mission is to preserve the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality and cultural distinctiveness of Acadia National Park and the surrounding communities, and thereby to ensure high quality experiences for visitors and residents.