Join one of the most effective community-based environmental groups in the country.

Title: Plantings for the Piedmont Program Coordinator
Manager: Director of Conservation
Location: Warrenton, Va
Job Classification: Full-time, Non-Exempt

---

About PEC

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) conserves and restores the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. Founded in 1972, PEC is a locally based, community-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit and accredited land trust. At the core of PEC’s approach is a focus on educating, engaging and empowering people to effect positive change in their communities.

Your Role

The Plantings for the Piedmont Program Coordinator will work on a portfolio of public engagement and natural resource stewardship projects focusing on the enhancement of wildlife habitat and restoration of land and water resources in PEC’s nine-county service area. The Coordinator will work directly with landowners, conservation partners, and contractors to organize and execute riparian restoration and afforestation tree plantings on private and public properties through the Plantings for the Piedmont Program. The Plantings for the Piedmont Program Coordinator will also work more broadly with PEC colleagues and partners to advance the adoption of native plants as a restoration and land management practice that can enhance wildlife habitat and water quality, including serving as an educational and outreach resource at demonstration sites such as PEC’s Piedmont Memorial Overlook. 

Areas of Responsibility

• Coordinate the Plantings for the Piedmont Program, working with rural landowners and multiple conservation partners to implement riparian tree plantings and afforestation projects. Tasks and activities related to this responsibility are anticipated to be 75 percent of the role and include:
  • Oversee all aspects of tree planting projects, including developing and maintaining budgets and managing private contractors.   
  • Organize periodic public engagement events involving volunteer tree planting projects.
  • Respond to public inquiries about Plantings for the Piedmont Program, including promoting the program, reviewing applications, and scheduling visits to applicant sites. 
  • Coordinate regularly with non-profit partners, including Friends of the Rappahannock, and public conservation agencies, including local soil and water conservation districts and the Virginia Department of Forestry. 
  • Supervise the part-time assistant for the Plantings for the Piedmont Program.
  • Establish and implement standard procedures for monitoring riparian buffer projects consistent with a Quality Assurance Project Plan, including collection of data on tree mortality and provisions for tree replacement. 
  • Collect and maintain data required for grant deliverables and input data and/or related documentation into FieldDoc and Salesforce. 
  • Periodically review and update standard operating procedures, landowner agreements, and tree planting maintenance protocols. 
  • Employ PEC funding to purchase and maintain tools, equipment, and supplies. 
• Participate in multi-disciplinary teams of PEC peers working on a diverse set of conservation, restoration, and public access initiatives, including:
  • Collaborate with  the Wildlife Habitat Restoration Coordinator, to manage natural resources and enhance the visitor experience at the PEC’s Piedmont Memorial Overlook, 
  • Collaborate with PEC communications and advancement staff on content for grant proposals, reporting and/or presentations associated with the Plantings for the Piedmont program and related activities, and to highlight PEC’s work in the region through social media, email, publications, presentations, etc.
• Participate in local community-based conservation efforts, with a focus on water quality improvement, habitat restoration, and/or agricultural land management demonstration projects.
• Serve as part of the PEC’s land conservation and stewardship team, periodically participating in annual monitoring and stewardship of PEC’s conservation easement and fee land portfolio. 
• Regularly update PEC Board members, other PEC staff, and members of local advisory committees on the Plantings for the Piedmont program and related habitat restoration activities. 
• Employ PEC information systems and other technology to effectively communicate and document the status of assigned projects, initiatives, and partnerships. 
• Regularly attend and/or organize PEC and partner events and meetings.

The Coordinator reports to PEC’s Director of Conservation, but will also work closely with other field representatives, departments within PEC, and members of the PEC Board of Directors.

This position will be based at PEC’s headquarters office in Warrenton, VA. This position requires frequent travel to locations throughout PEC’s nine-county service area. 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, agriculture, natural resources, ecology, wildlife management, environmental studies, or a related field. Professional work experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.
• A technical knowledge and experience planting bare-root trees and tree identification. 
• Experience driving a 4-wheel drive pick-up truck while hauling a trailer.  
• Experience safely using chainsaws and other equipment and/or willingness to complete a basic chainsaw safety course within the first year of employment.
• Familiarity with land management practices offered by Soil and Water Conservation Districts or the Natural Resource Conservation Service that enhance wildlife habitat, restore water quality, and/or improve agricultural productivity. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the experience working with diverse constituencies, including elected officials, non-profit representatives, neighborhood associations, and individual citizens with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills, both written and oral, including ability to write, edit, and proofread written materials.
• Ability to organize, coordinate and manage diverse activities and deadlines.
• Knowledge and experience with Google Suite and Microsoft Office productivity software.
• Willing to work some weekends and evenings.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable personal transportation to and from the office and to offsite locations for rural property visits, events, meetings, etc. (mileage will be reimbursed).

Preferred Qualifications

• Three years of professional experience in forestry, natural resources, ecology, wildlife conservation or related fields.  
• Experience with wildflower meadow management, such as prescribed fire, herbicide application, and mowing.
• Current Virginia Certified Pesticide Applicator license or willingness to obtain license within the first year of employment.
• Experience working with rural landowners and the farming community. 
• Familiarity with land conservation programs and conservation easements, including Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices.
• Familiarity with Salesforce and ESRI Suite (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online). 
• Experience with handheld GPS devices.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

This position will be completed in both an office environment and the outdoors. Office work requires extended sitting or standing and the use of a computer, keyboard, and mouse. Fieldwork is performed outdoors in all weather conditions, frequently carried out alone, and may be physically demanding, including walking/hiking several miles over remote, rugged terrain, with a risk of exposure to natural hazards. Occasional lifting of materials up to 30 lbs is required. Occasional attendance at night or weekend events may be required.

Compensation

This position is a non-exempt / hourly position with benefits. Salary range of $24.0385 to $31.25 per hour (equivalent of $50,000 to $65,000 annually), commensurate with experience.

Benefits

PEC offers the following benefits to part-time employees:

• Two health plans offered, a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan or a high-deductible Health Savings Account (HSA) plan 
• Dental and Vision insurance plans
• Short & Long Term Disability*
• Group Term Life*
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity insurances*
• HSA account (with employer match up to $750 per year)
• FSA accounts (health & dependent)
• 403(b) pension plan with employer contribution after 1 year of service with 100% vesting from day one
• 12 paid holidays
• PTO leave – 24 days per year, accrued each pay period
• 1 day per year of paid leave to volunteer at another non-profit or charitable cause
• Salary Continuation Leave for employee or family illness (including maternity and paternity) – from 2 to 8 weeks fully paid leave eligibility every 24 months, depending on length of service
• Paid Bereavement, Jury Duty and Military Service Training leave
• Travel Expense Reimbursement (including mileage)
• Hybrid work environment and Flexible Work Schedules
• Professional Development support
• Payment for relevant licenses & professional membership fees.

*Indicates that this insurance premium is 100% paid by PEC for employee coverage.

Application Process

Interested applicants should fill out our job application form. Candidates must submit a cover letter and resumé. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

---

The Piedmont Environmental Council strives to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all aspects of achieving our mission. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Read more about our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) commitments.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process may be requested.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.