Background
The Medway Community Forest Co-operative (MCFC) is Eastern Canada’s first community forest, based in the rural community of Caledonia, Nova Scotia. Our primary aim is to support local communities through sustainable and ecologically based forest management. MCFC manages a 15,000-hectare Crown land license area using practices that reflect ecological and multi-value forest management.
The MCFC Hemlock Conservation Program was launched to preserve and protect Nova Scotia’s hemlock forests, which are rapidly declining due to Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA), an invasive insect species that has caused extensive damage to hemlock stands throughout the eastern United States and is now impacting eastern Canada.
Our Hemlock Conservation Team mitigates the impacts of HWA through monitoring, management practices, and community outreach. We use insecticides and silvicultural practices to protect hemlock trees from HWA infestations and promote their continued survival. The project is a collaborative effort between MCFC, government agencies, academic institutions, and conservation partners, and aims to raise public awareness about the importance of hemlock forests and ensure their continued survival.
Job Description
The Hemlock Conservation Project Coordinator leads MCFC’s Hemlock Conservation Team and supports the planning, delivery, and reporting of HWA treatment and stewardship work across southwestern Nova Scotia. This position is responsible for coordinating field operations, supporting staff and volunteers, maintaining safe and efficient systems, and helping ensure project goals and conservation targets are met.
The successful candidate will be highly organized, comfortable leading a field-based team, and able to balance operational planning, staff support, field safety, public communication, data management, and partner coordination. This role includes both office-based coordination and hands-on field work in remote and challenging conditions.
Duties
- Planning and coordinating monthly, weekly, and daily field operations for HWA treatment, assessment, tree marking, and monitoring work
- Leading and supporting the Hemlock Conservation Team, including scheduling, task assignments, training, team communication, and day-to-day staff needs
- Ensuring HWA treatments are completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with pesticide labels, safe work practices, MCFC protocols, and applicable regulations
- Coordinating the Hemlock Hero Volunteer Program, including volunteer training, communication, field-day planning, safety briefings, and on-site support
- Maintaining organized systems for chemical, equipment, vehicle, PPE, and field supply inventories, including ordering and storage
- Supporting data collection and management using Survey123, ArcGIS Field Maps, GIS, and other relevant tools
- Tracking project progress and treatment outputs for government reporting.
- Tracking project financials including budgeting, administration, and human resources.
- Coordinating public outreach, presentations, social media content, and responses to general public or media inquiries related to the HWA program
- Liaising with government, conservation, academic, municipal, and community partners to support coordinated HWA management
- Participating in physically demanding field work, including carrying equipment, navigating remote sites, and working in a range of weather and environmental conditions
- Supporting daily cleaning, maintenance, and safe storage of field equipment, vehicles, and workspaces
- Other duties as required.
Requirements
- Degree or technical diploma in forestry, natural resources, environmental science, environmental technology, or a related field; candidates with extensive professional experience are encouraged to apply
- 3+ years experience working in forestry, natural resources, invasive species management, protected areas, or conservation sectors - with preference for experience in a leadership role.
- Experience coordinating field operations, field crews, volunteer programs, or conservation projects
- Experience with GIS, Survey123, ArcGIS Field Maps, or other smartphone-based field data collection applications
- Strong leadership, communication, organization, and interpersonal skills
- Experience navigating and working safely in remote or backcountry settings
- Ability to identify Wabanaki-Acadian Forest tree species
- Experience with public outreach, presentations, media communication, or partner engagement is an asset
Other Requirements
- Valid Nova Scotia Class 5 Driver’s License or equivalent
- Nova Scotia Pesticide Applicator Certification, or willingness to obtain certification before completing pesticide application work
- Nova Scotia Wilderness First Aid preferred; Nova Scotia Emergency First Aid required at minimum
- Willingness to travel to remote locations and camp overnight when necessary
- Willingness to work in inclement weather and challenging site conditions
- Ability to lift and carry heavy items and complete physically demanding field work
- Ability to work weekends and/or a condensed work week when field conditions require
- Willingness to commute to the Caledonia area daily
Pay: From $30.00 per hour
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Caledonia, NS
