Programs Coordinator

Who we are:

We at South Hero Land Trust believe in the transformative power of deep relationships with the land. It nourishes us, connects us to each other, and holds our hope for the future. We believe conservation goes beyond protecting land, encompassing a holistic approach to the relationship between land and community. We are grounded by our core values:  

• Conserving land in South Hero, for current and future generations, is the heart of South Hero Land Trust.
• We are deeply engaged in fostering appreciation and stewardship of South Hero’s farms, natural and recreational resources, and community.
• We build programs and relationships that foster and transcend land conservation.
• Our greatest strength is our direct connection and commitment to the land and people of South Hero.
• We recognize that we are embedded in a broader movement, and are eager to engage with our neighboring communities.
• We believe in strong partnerships and healthy collaboration.                     
• We work toward creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces for all people on the land and in our community.

We are looking for someone who:

• Thrives in a collaborative environment, values community and relationships, and sees challenges as opportunities to innovate and grow.
• Is passionate about food and farms, caring for the land, supporting access to the outdoors, and fostering appreciation for the natural world.
• Finds joy as an outdoor educator for youth and adults
• Enjoys learning new skills and working collectively with fellow staff, partner organizations, and community members to grow the impact of our programs.
• Has reliable transportation and the ability to be present in the community.
• Is comfortable working outdoors on varied terrain, in a variety of weather conditions.
• Is self-reliant and able to stay productive, organized, and focused while working independently with minimal supervision.

South Hero Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer who encourages diversity of backgrounds and experiences. South Hero Land Trust recognizes and honors diverse cultures and traditions. We proactively seek employees for all aspects of our work from varied backgrounds for the greater enrichment of the organization. It is the goal of South Hero Land Trust, and our projects and programs, to encourage involvement of groups that are historically underrepresented in land conservation.

We strive to be an inclusive workspace. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any accommodations in order to participate fully. Contact us at guy@shlt.org to notify us of any needs related to submitting your application materials.

Interest in the position and willingness to learn are more important than meeting all job qualifications. Since this position will be working closely with children, applicants must be able to pass a background check.

General Summary

The Programs Coordinator works to forge deep and meaningful relationships between community members and the land through education, public access, land stewardship, and support for local agriculture. The Coordinator is responsible for delivering dynamic, high quality, and integrated environmental interpretation and education, trail maintenance and construction, ecological restoration, and volunteer coordination. As South Hero Land Trust is a small team working collaboratively, the Coordinator will also assist with land conservation, outreach, farm viability, fundraising, and other projects as needed. They will prioritize programs that engage people in our communities who have not traditionally been served by, engaged in, or moved by land conservation.  

Education & Community Engagement

• Under the leadership of the Executive Director, implement and lead environmental education and outdoor recreation programs for youth and adults at local conserved and public access properties.
• Work on all aspects of educational programming, including promotion, registration, scheduling, pre-visit communication, and development of education materials. Coordinate with the Director of Engagement to schedule and promote programs through various media platforms.
• Maintain a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all participants, partners, and employees.
• Lead Farm to School and Nature-based programming for students at Folsom Education & Community Center, and develop resources to support those programs.
• Manage the Folsom Learning Garden & South Hero Community Gleaning Garden, and engage the community in growing and food access efforts.
• Expand educational programming to better service diverse audiences.

Recreation & Public Access

• Engage the community to facilitate and increase access to the land and water for recreation, education, and other purposes that increase wellbeing.
• Work collaboratively with local and state partners in all aspects of trail and park management.
• Assist with trail design, maintenance, and construction, following guidelines laid out in management plans as applicable, and the standards of land management partners.
• Lead ongoing assessment of existing trails to establish action plans for routine maintenance needs.
• Remain apprised of current best practices in land stewardship and utilize those best practices in planning, development, and maintenance of natural and public access areas.
• Maintain existing contacts and develop new relationships with community groups and individuals to increase access to, awareness of, interest in local trails and outdoor spaces.
• Increase accessibility and inclusivity of our recreational resources for the benefit of diverse users.
• Contribute to the development of trail signs, maps, and interpretive materials that improve access to the land for community members and promote stewardship of our natural resources.
• Recruit, manage, and supervise projects for volunteers that support their engagement in stewardship activities and connections with other community members. This includes leading our Land Stewards program and hosting regular volunteer work days.

Land Stewardship & Ecological Restoration

• Work collaboratively with landowners, partners, and volunteers to engage in ecological restoration and water quality projects that improve terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem health and resilience
• Coordinate volunteer land stewards to maintain trails and land stewardship goals across a variety of conserved locations in South Hero.

Other responsibilities

• Prepare regular programs reports to the Executive Director and board.
• Participate in shared administrative tasks, held collaboratively with other staff.
• Create content for the E-newsletter, newsletter, social, educational materials, and other media.
• Assist Executive Director with conservation project development and management
• Assist, per the direction of the Board of Directors and Executive Director, with planning strategically for  SHLT’s pursuit of mission.
• Other duties as may be assigned by the Executive Director from time to time.

Schedule/Hours

The Programs Coordinator will be expected to be present during regular business hours, with occasional evening and weekend duties. As this position is field-based, remote work is only possible on a limited basis.

Salary & Benefits

32 Hours Per Week. Starting Annual Salary of $37,600. Benefits include paid vacation, holidays, & medical and dental insurance. 

Learn more about our work at www.shlt.org