Community Engagement Coordinator

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina’s (FCNC) Community Engagement Coordinator is a frontline, public-facing role responsible for delivering FCNC’s education, outreach, volunteer, and community engagement programs. This highly organized and collaborative position manages a diverse workload that includes relationship-building, program development, volunteer coordination, event planning, grant support, and administrative recordkeeping. R

eporting to the Executive Director (ED) and working in close collaboration with the Marketing and Development team and Trails Program team, the Community Engagement Coordinator builds upon FCNC’s established engagement programs while introducing creative approaches aligned with FCNC’s three-year strategic plan. The position focuses on connecting diverse community members to FCNC’s land conservation, stewardship, trails, and education work through inclusive programs, partnerships, and public participation.

The role requires comfort leading groups in outdoor, field-based settings and indoor classrooms, collaborating across teams, and representing FCNC to the public, partners, volunteers, donors, board members, and youth.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Community Partnerships & Relationship Building

• Develop and manage authentic partnerships and relationships with community members and organizations to cultivate a community-wide conservation ethic and strengthen connections to FCNC’s mission, local communities and conserved lands.
• Represent FCNC at public outreach events, gatherings and meetings.
• Lead the implementation and coordination of FCNC’s Community Engagement Committee meetings.

Program Development & Environmental Education

• Design and lead engagement, outreach, and educational programs that link FCNC’s work to local communities.
• Lead public hikes, outings, and experiential learning opportunities.
• Integrate education into stewardship and outreach in collaboration with other staff.
• Assist with grant development and reporting.

Communications & Outreach

• Consistently apply organization-wide messaging, developed in collaboration with the Marketing and Communications team, to promote events and programs and to advance environmental education initiatives.
• Manage FCNC’s volunteer webpage in collaboration with Communications Manager. Volunteer Management
• Recruit, train, and manage volunteers that support FCNC’s stewardship, trails, education, and outreach programs, events, and general administration.
• Coordinate volunteer events and track participation.
• Manage volunteer software (Bloomerang) and communications.

Events & Public Engagement

• Coordinate and execute outreach and community engagement activities and events, including tabling, and support fundraising events.
• Lead planning and implementation for FCNC’s annual Earth Fest and holiday open house, and our Eco-Cycle mountain bike series at FCNC’s Oak Hill Community Park & Forest.
• Support additional events as needed.

Essential Experience, Competencies and Technical Skills:

• Experience in community engagement, volunteer coordination, and event planning, preferably in a nonprofit setting.
• Strong written and verbal communication, organization, situational awareness, time management, and adaptability.
• Ability to work outdoors, as well as in an office setting, lift up to 50 lbs., and walk at least three miles over uneven terrain.
• Willingness to obtain Wilderness First Aid & CPR certifications within 6 months of employment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, work in a fast paced environment, respond to problems quickly and efficiently, and meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to maintain a high level of service and attentiveness with colleagues, donors, partners, and the community.
• BA/BS or equivalent education.
• Interest in land conservation.
• Familiarity with the communities and culture of Western North Carolina
• Experience working in Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Google Business Suite, Arc GIS, Avenza, and Landscape.

Travel

• Regular day travel within FCNC’s eight-county region; limited overnight travel for conferences or professional development.
• Valid Driver’s License Required
• Ability to pull a trailer with a truck, or willingness to learn
• Ability to operate an ATV/UTV, or willingness to learn