Operations Assistant for Equitable Conservation

OFFICE LOCATION

Arlington, Virginia, USA

This is a virtual position that is flexible within countries where TNC has an established entity. This position is not eligible for relocation, visa or immigration assistance. This position is available for remote work, work based at a TNC office or a combination of the two. This job is an hourly position, but offers flex time and might require a flexible schedule.

WHO WE ARE

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings.

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER

The Operations Assistant for Equitable Conservation will provide direct administrative support, coordination and assistance to program staff, including one or more directors within the Equitable Conservation (EC) team in the Chief Conservation Office (CCO).

The Operations Assistant will be responsible for a variety of routine and non-routine administrative support tasks, primarily in processing and approving expenses for one or more directors, processing team-wide recurrent expenses and assisting with scheduling and logistics of meetings and special events. Duties may include routing invoice payments to CCO’s Finance Specialist for processing, tracking status and communicating as appropriate; as well as note taking for internal meetings, maintenance of electronic files, domestic and international travel arrangements, calendar management, drafting correspondence and similar related tasks.

They will use available systems and resources to track and research data and produce and review reports. The Assistant will coordinate activities with multiple variables, setting realistic deadlines and managing the timeline within assigned scope and based off of leadership and team directives. They will apply established processes and practices in order to improve effectiveness and to document program procedures for reference by staff. The Assistant may draft correspondence to communicate updates to staff, vendors, and other collaborators as needed, with input/guidance from their supervisor. They will provide other staff with information they need to make decisions and to solve problems. They will act as one of the key points of contact to facilitate smooth daily operations and will work collaboratively to support equity, inclusivity, and accessibility in our internal operations and processes. They will perform operational and administrative functions for the program as required.

This position reports to the Strategy and Impact Manager within the Program and Resource Management sub-team of the Equitable Conservation Team within the Chief Conservation Office.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU

• Processes expenses in available system, verifying the accuracy, coding and documentation aligned with best practices and ensuring TNC policies and procedures are met and are submitted in a timely manner.
• Track down relevant missing expense information from program staff and vendors (e.g. requesting lost receipts, identifying business and conservation purpose of purchases.
• Makes purchases, routes invoices for processing, contact with vendors, and assist with expenditure tracking.
• Supports team project management activities through coordination, logistics, payment tracking and/or by setting deadlines and timelines within assigned scope.
• Support virtual and in-person event planning logistics (e.g. team retreats, workshops, webinars). Including tasks like assisting in venue setup and management, guest registration and logistics for in person events. And for virtual events, setting up translation services, meeting invites, break out rooms, etc.
• Perform duties under general supervision and established guidelines with a focus on equitable approaches to operational work.
• Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information.
• Identify routine problems and utilize existing resources for resolution, referring difficult questions and problems to teammates and/or supervisor.
• Does internal research to provide program staff appropriate guidance to answer operational questions.
• Make day-to-day decisions within the scope of work assignments and prioritize work independently.
• Does not supervise any staff, but may supervise volunteers, interns, or temporary staff.
• Serve as a team member for assigned projects.
• Might work overtime as needed.
• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and physical exertion and/or strain.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

The Chief Conservation Office encourages all applicants to apply if you meet any of the minimum qualifications and bring transferable skills or a diversity of equivalent experience.

• Bachelor’s degree and 1-year experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience in business writing, editing, and proofreading.
• Experience organizing time and managing diverse activities to meet deadlines.
• Experience working and communicating with a wide range of people.
• Proficiency in English.

Desired Qualifications

In addition, the following skills and/or experiences would be an asset for this role but are not required. Please view the full job description on https://careers.nature.org/ which lists some areas or skillsets where you may have opportunities for growth in the role.

WHAT WE BRING

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers competitive and comprehensive benefits packages tailored to the individual countries where we work. These may include health care benefits, retirement benefits, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, and disability coverage as well as an employee assistance program and other life and well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports the health and well-being of the people we employ.

SALARY INFORMATION

This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times. For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $22.35 – $34.28 per hour and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate’s qualifications, specific skills, and experience.

APPLY NOW

To apply for job ID 56361 , please submit a cover letter and resume online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.