Position Summary

Mainspring seeks a positive, outgoing, and creative outdoor enthusiast to join our team as Conservation Outreach Associate. This position will provide essential support to all areas of Mainspring’s outreach program, including but not limited to volunteer recruitment and management, event development and management, philanthropic development, and education program implementation. The Conservation Outreach Associate will be heavily involved in internal and external activities, with a strong focus on donor cultivation, donor stewardship events, and promoting organizational awareness in the western part of Mainspring’s service area.

Essential functions include planning/hosting events (50%), volunteer management (25%), and education and other (25%). 

Qualifications

• Experience in a combination of the following areas:
• Event coordination and/or management.
• Volunteer management and recruitment.
• Adult and youth education.
• Working knowledge of outdoor recreation, including familiarity with local trails and public recreation areas or serious willingness to learn. The ideal candidate will be comfortable leading groups of people in the woods and on the water, with experience in both hiking and basic kayaking. 
• Personal passion for nature, including but not limited to hunting, fishing, hiking, foraging, camping, birding, “herping,” etc.
• Experience managing social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. 
• Excellent time management and people skills. 
• Experience cultivating and securing event sponsors.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, especially related to science.
• Strong preference for candidates who live in or are willing to relocate to Cherokee or Clay County, NC, and who value involvement in their local community.
• Lift/carry equipment (up to 30#).
• Disciplined to work independently.
• Associate or Bachelor's degree in a related field including STEM, communications, psychology, education, etc.
• Ability to work weekends or weekday evenings.