About: The Green Infrastructure Center (GIC) is a nonprofit company located in Charlottesville Virginia and working across the U.S. The GIC was formed in 2006 and is a leading designer of landscape conservation models and plans for national, regional, state and local applications. The GIC is seeking a motivated, self-directed, creative individual with a commitment to science-based and data-driven community planning to join its growing, innovative team.
Green Infrastructure includes intact forests, urban tree canopy, wetlands, springs, parks and rivers and agricultural soils that provide clean water, air quality, wildlife habitat, recreation and food. These resources are ‘green infrastructure’ because they create healthful communities, sustain the economy and support cultural values.
The GIC provides planning, mapping and design services to assist communities in protecting or restoring their green infrastructure. The GIC’s clients include federal, regional, state and local government agencies, land trusts and conservation groups. The GIC’s staff consists of planners, geographers and natural resource experts. The GIC is dedicated to growing the practice of green infrastructure planning and regularly shares its knowledge through workshops, courses, webinars and publications.
Position Responsibilities and Overview: The Community Landscape Associate (CLA) is a new position. The position requires strong science knowledge to help communities determine how to achieve conservation goals. The CLA works with local governments, state agencies, land trusts and community groups to help them recognize the location and values of their natural resources. The CLA assists clients with assessing and conserving their natural assets using skills such as, geospatial analysis, landscape design, facilitating community charrettes and designing conservation plans. They also review codes and ordinances, to determine gaps and options for better meeting conservation goals. The CLA also assists the GIC team in developing attractive graphics, reports, slide shows and social media posts to communicate key messages and results.
Administrative duties include project coordination, budgeting and preparing grant reports. The position requires coordinating work flows amongst multiple partner clients. It also requires coordinating training workshops, conferences and community events, as well as periodic technical support for clients.
Requirements:
Academic: Bachelor of Science or Arts degree in one or more of the following fields: environmental science, ecology, landscape architecture or forestry. Environmental planners and geographers who also possess a science degree are also encouraged to apply. A Master’s Degree in a related field is strongly desired, but commensurate experience may be substituted.
Professional Experience: At least three to five years of relevant, professional work experience in one or more of the above fields. This experience must be in addition to any years of experience within academia.
Science Skills: Basic knowledge concerning soils, landscape integrity, natural resources and geography.
Computer Mapping and Design Skills: Strong skills (not necessarily advanced) in geographic information systems (ArcGIS), as well as fluency with statistical analysis. MS office suite is required (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, MSAccess) as well as Abode Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Editor). Applicants possessing strong graphic design skills are preferred.
Communications: Strong oral and written communication for presenting findings at workshops and meetings, leading group discussions and client meetings and writing grant reports, brochures, guides, posters and web content. The CLA must be very comfortable leading groups and speaking in public.
Physical/Logistical: This position requires field visits and physical fitness ability for hiking over rough terrain and up and down slopes. It also requires frequent travel (often weekly trips of 1-2 days, up to an entire week, dependent on distance to client site). Travel is usually planned far in advance and for some weeks there is no travel.
Compensation: The annual salary for this position is $45,000 to $55,000 dependent on experience and level of education attained. This is a full time, salaried position at 40 hours per week and it is exempt from overtime. Benefits include paid leave for all specified holidays (see employee manual), comprehensive individual health care (reimbursement for an approved health care plan) and accrued vacation and sick leave @12 hours per month. Following one year of employment, an additional 4 hours of leave per month will be added, as well as a contribution to a retirement account of the employee’s choice. Performance is evaluated following the first 12 months of employment and merit raises are awarded, dependent on revenues.
Supervisor: This position reports to the GIC’s Senior Land Planner.
Job Location: Based in Charlottesville, VA area, with frequent travel required.
To apply:
Send a cover letter, resume, relevant work examples/portfolio, references (3 minimum) to Attn: CLA Position, GIC, PO Box 317, Charlottesville VA 22902. This position is open until filled, with the goal of hiring in fall 2016.
No calls please. Only the top qualified applicants will be invited to interview. The GIC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on any basis. Prior to applying, applicants should visit the GIC’s website to learn more about the firm at www.gicinc.org
