Hellbender Recovery Coordinator

About the Organization
The Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy (ARC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on the conservation and restoration of amphibian and reptile populations and their habitats across the United States. ARC focuses on implementing field programs in high-priority areas for amphibians and reptiles to improve their chances of survival. Our work includes inventory, monitoring, research, habitat restoration, population augmentation, policy, and strategic planning across Priority Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Areas (PARCAs). Learn more at ARCProtects.org.

Position Description

ARC is seeking a full-time Hellbender Recovery Coordinator to lead collaborative, multi-state efforts to advance the conservation and recovery of the Eastern Hellbender in the Southern Appalachians, with a particular focus on western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.

This position will serve as a central organizer and strategic leader to unite state, federal, tribal, academic, and organizational partners in the development of a regional Hellbender Monitoring and Recovery Plan, with a focus on standardizing and coordinating data collection and management, post-Helene inventory and monitoring on public and private lands, and overseeing development of recovery plan documents. The Coordinator will also focus on identifying and pursuing opportunities to restore habitat within the program geography, primarily by engaging with landowners and communities to support the implementation of riparian restoration programs such as Shade Your Stream and River Friendly Farms. 

This role does not conduct routine fieldwork but will manage and participate in field and remote data collection efforts in collaboration with ARC staff and collaborators – integrating science, data analysis, and community engagement into a cohesive landscape-level strategy. 

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate Regional Strategy: Lead the development of a multi-state Hellbender Monitoring and Recovery Plan, incorporating input from diverse partners and stakeholders.
• Facilitate Collaboration: Organize and lead in-person and virtual workshops with state/federal agencies, NGOs, and researchers to align goals, standardize protocols, and identify data gaps.
• Strategic Analysis: Collaborate with our Data Analysis team to assess threats, land-use impacts, and restoration opportunities in key watersheds
• Inventory and Monitoring: Coordinate snorkel and eDNA surveys and habitat assessments with ARC field staff and other partners working in the field; train students, staff and volunteers on implementing a standardized I&M protocol; ensure proper collection and reporting of field data
• River Friendly Farm Certification: spearhead the effort to make ARC an official certifier of the River Friendly Farms program.
• Support Habitat Restoration: Identify and pursue opportunities to assist individual landowners and community organizations in implementing Shade Your Stream projects; provide outreach and technical guidance to agricultural landowners within the NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife program area to support River Friendly Farm certification.
• Outreach & Education: Host training events and outreach sessions for landowners, municipalities, agencies, and community groups to encourage hellbender-friendly practices.
• Project Monitoring & Evaluation: Support the development and use of tools and practices a standardized Stream Quantification Tool to assess change in habitat quality and gauge the effects of restoration efforts.
• Data Integration: Compile and maintain a shared data system of historic and current survey data, threats, and restoration projects and opportunities across the species’ southern range.

Minimum Qualifications

• M.S. (preferred) or B.S. in ecology, wildlife biology, conservation planning, environmental science, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience leading collaborative conservation efforts or multi-stakeholder planning processes
• Familiarity with the ecology and conservation needs of the Eastern Hellbender or similar aquatic species
• Experience with database development and management, GIS software tools, and other standard office and productivity tools (Google Suite, Dropbox, Monday.com)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including and especially facilitation of workshops or meetings
• Ability to travel frequently across TN and NC, and work occasional nights or weekends for meetings or events
• Ability to self-start and work independently from a remote office with limited oversight.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience coordinating diverse partner groups that include state and federal agencies, academic institutions, and private sector and non-profit partners.
• Knowledge of Southeast aquatic restoration practices and riparian ecology
• Familiarity or previous experience working with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs
• Experience working directly with private landowners on land management and/or conservation planning and practices
• Comfortable working with diverse partners, from agency staff to private landowners
• Grant writing, management, or reporting experience