Lead Capacity Building and Internship Coordinator

Job Title: Lead Capacity Building and Internship Coordinator
Department: Wildlife
Reports To: Director of Animal Collections    
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Salary
Effective Date: April 15, 2025

White Oak conserves and sustains some of the earth’s rarest wild animals through innovative training, research, education, and conservation breeding programs that contribute to the survival of wildlife in nature.  The conservation programs span 600 acres along the St. Mary’s River in northeast Florida, surrounded by 17,000 acres of mixed forest and wetlands that make up the beautiful White Oak property.  Founded in 1982, White Oak leads professional efforts to improve veterinary care, develop holistic animal management techniques, and better understand the biology of critically endangered species by providing excellent care and managing conservation programs for over 30 species of imperiled wildlife in large, naturalistic habitats.  

Position Purpose: 

The Lead Capacity Building and Internship Coordinator develops and implements White Oak’s conservation capacity building, training, education, and leadership programs. This position plays a strong role in diverse aspects of White Oak’s program strategies involving the human dimension of conservation including education, convening, and staff engagement in conservation.

The Lead Capacity Building and Internship Coordinator supports the conservation, wildlife, and veterinary departments through participation in diverse facets of human dimension conservation programs including, but not limited to, managing, developing, delivering, and facilitating training programs, courses and workshops; and also developing and monitoring key performance and program metrics, including communicating with internal departments and external partners. 

Responsibilities and Duties:

The essential duties and responsibilities of this position may include the following (other duties may be assigned, and some duties may be shared with other personnel, or may not be assigned at all):

• Manage and coordinate any or all aspects of capacity building and training programs: student programs, career development opportunities, conferences, courses, and workshops
• Manage student (interns, residents, etc.) programs, including hiring, goal setting, performance evaluation, mentoring, and disciplinary action
• Coordinate with White Oak leadership to develop and implement strategies to advance capacity building and training programs
• Develop and monitor key performance metrics and analytics to measure the success of capacity building and training efforts
• Coordinate training course and workshop/conference logistics, including registration, presentation, and materials support, participant safety, and pre-and post-event evaluations as indicated
• Prepare and manage capacity building and training budgets
• Manage orientation and onboarding program for interns, residents, students, and new White Oak program department staff
• Work with the WOCF leadership team to promote conservation culture at White Oak
• Perform all other related duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) in biology, conservation science, environmental education, or a related discipline preferred
• Three or more years of experience in training early career wildlife professionals and/or managing people
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience qualifications noted above
• Strong knowledge of zoological and wildlife conservation issues
• Strong knowledge and commitment to principles promoting variety in background and lived experiences and  how they relate to conservation
• Analytical, strategic, and problem-solving skills with the ability to function independently and as part of a team
• Strong time management, attention to detail, and organizational skills
• Ability to lead diverse stakeholders in collaborative activities
• Highly collaborative and team-oriented
• Passion for White Oak’s mission and genuine appreciation for wildlife and conservation
• The ideal team player will:
         o    be resilient, show initiative, and demonstrate a healthy commitment to going above and beyond;
         o    focus on team success and define success collaboratively versus individually;
         o    work with colleagues in mind, be a good listener, and be willing to seek information and assistance when necessary.

Special Working Conditions:

• Must have valid drivers’ license
• Candidates must submit and pass a Level II background check and submit an affidavit of good moral character (Florida Department of Children and Families)
• Must be able to attain safety certifications as deemed necessary (first aid, first responder, etc.)
• Occasional weekend, holiday, evening, and overnight work required
• Willingness to travel, both domestically and internationally
• Must be able to exert up to 25 pounds of force to lift, push, pull, carry, or otherwise move objects, and work outdoors in all conditions

White Oak Conservation is committed to creating an environment where diverse perspectives are welcome, and to nurturing a culture where everyone feels valued and appreciated. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law.