Project Coordinator

About BCI

Bat Conservation International (BCI) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of bats and their habitats in the United States and around the world. Bracken Cave Preserve, located in San Antonio, Texas, is 1500 acres and home to the largest colony of bats in the world, important recharge area for the Edwards Aquifer and habitat for the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler. BCI seeks a part-time Project Coordinator to join the Conservation Department. The Project Coordinator will report to the Director of Bracken Cave Preserve, Fran Hutchins.

Position Overview 

The Project Coordinator will supervise, coordinate, and assist with the completion or continuation of projects such as biodiversity surveys, scout projects, scientific studies, land management, and habitat restoration. The Project Coordinator will manage collaborative efforts at the preserve among universities, civic groups, and other environmental groups.  This position will be responsible for recruiting, training, and overseeing a group of 100+ volunteers, including placing volunteers based on project needs and the volunteers' education, experience, and area of interest. The Project Coordinator will also coordinate and manage member, public, and group visitation to Bracken for bat flights or other events. This position is a part-time position, requiring 20-24 hours per week. Flexibility to work a rotating schedule including some weekends and holidays is required. Hours may increase during bat flight season. This position is part-time but may evolve to a full-time position.

• Status: Part Time, Hourly
• Reports to: Director of Bracken Cave Preserve (Fran Hutchins)
• Salary: $24 to $28/hour, dependent on experience

Position Description/Responsibilities: 

Project coordination

• Plan, coordinate, and develop science, restoration, and community stewardship activities that expand understanding of bats and the preserve and build the awareness and reputation BCI’s impact and leadership.
• Oversee project implementation, including budgets, subcontracting, permitting, invoicing, staffing, oversight, reporting, and monitoring.
• Develop and maintain strong, positive relationships with collaborative partners ensuring that mutually agreed upon expectations are being met.
• Conduct on-site management of conservation and work projects.
• Manage various conservation projects at the preserve with outside organizations such as scouts, master naturalists, and universities.
• Prepare reports for ongoing research and conservation projects at the preserve.
• Monitor environmental improvements from conservation and restoration projects in conjunction with other staff.
• Track and analyze progress to ensure goals and objectives are met and metrics of success and accountability are captured.
• Coordinate projects for invasive plant removal, native plant revegetation, biodiversity monitoring, demonstration projects, and other topics as needed.
• Assist in the development and management of other projects as needed.
• Attend weekly meetings and bi-monthly staff meetings in person and/or ZOOM or similar video conferencing.
• Assist in developing and posting engaging content through Bracken Cave Preserve’s social media accounts including Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

Volunteer coordination

• Maintain a comprehensive recruitment, orientation, training, retention, and recognition plan for individual and group volunteers to ensure that all volunteers are knowledgeable and feel valued.
• Coordinate volunteer staffing for projects, events, and studies at the preserve.
• Maintain a comprehensive list of involvement opportunities for individual and group volunteers and collaborative partnerships.
• Maintain complete and accurate records including volunteer policies, procedures, position descriptions, standards of conduct and, where applicable, criminal background checks.
• Provide regular reports on all individual and group volunteer activities to include number of volunteers, number of hours, and in-kind contribution value of service.
• Maintain an inventory of volunteer talent, and matches volunteers with appropriate opportunities.
• Maintain appropriate collateral materials for recruitment of volunteers.

Visitation coordination

• Serve as primary point of contact for requests to volunteer/collaborate/visit including, telephone, voice mail, email, and written requests and ensure a timely response.
• Coordinate visits with various partners, community organizations, and other interested parties.
• Manage member and public bat flights/visits.
• Other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications:

Required Knowledge/Experience

• Experience managing projects from conception to completion.
• Basic understanding of south/central Texas ecoregions.
• Informal or formal customer service experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills and able to work well with a diverse group of staff, partners, and volunteers.

Preferred Knowledge/Experience

• Knowledge of watershed stewardship and conservation, forestry, wildland fuels reduction and vegetation management, basic hydrology, basic soil science, native plant and animal communities, and/or restoration ecology.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in collecting monitoring field data and writing technical reports.
• Familiarity with local threatened and endangered species, including habitat needs and legal protections.

Skills Needed

• Must have a valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record.
• Ability to effectively manage a wide array of tasks, projects, and responsibilities.
• Exceptional communication and listening skills.
• Ability to work productively in an unstructured environment - self-starting, motivated, with the ability to prioritize and the initiative to see what needs to be done.
• Basic computer knowledge in applications such as Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.
• Excellent organization and planning skills and the ability to manage more than one volunteer/project at a time.
• Strong written and verbal communications in English.
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Willingness to adjust hours to accommodate the needs of the job with advance notice provided.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand, walk and bend for extended periods. Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. and bend and reach shelving or similar activity. Ability willingness to work out-of-doors in varying weather conditions.

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI)

BCI is deeply committed to JEDI and embeds JEDI-centered practices in the conservation work and organizational culture. BCI is determined to be an employer of choice and believes that the best organizational performance will come from a safe, diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about our JEDI statement at www.batcon.org/about-us/justice-equity-diversity-and-inclusion/. 

To Apply

Please click "Apply on Company Website" below and follow instructions on our application page on ADP Workforce Now page.

Interested individuals should submit their resume and in lieu of a cover letter a short personal story (1 page or less) on the following:

• Based on our job posting, how do you see yourself adding value to this role and our organization? 

Applications are due by November 21, 2022. We anticipate interviews being conducted in late November with notification of selection in December.