POSITION DESCRIPTION
POSITION: Chief, Nature Tourism and Recreation
REPORTS TO: President and CEO
Santa Catalina Island is one of eight islands off the coast of Southern California. As the third largest landmass in the Channel Islands group, Catalina supports a complex Mediterranean ecosystem that includes humans. Every year, over 1,000,000 people visit the Island and at least 4,000 are resident yearround, most living in the town of Avalon or the village of Two Harbors.
The Catalina Island Conservancy (Conservancy), an independent, California 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was formed in 1972 to protect and restore the natural and cultural resources of Santa
Catalina Island, and to make them available for public recreation, education, and enjoyment. The protected lands of the Conservancy amount to approximately 42,000 acres or 88% of the Island. The science, restoration, education and recreational activities of the Conservancy can and do serve as a model for the management of protected lands worldwide.
The Conservancy has recently completed a 20-year Master Plan that aspires to develop Santa Catalina
Island into one of the world’s premiere ecological and cultural destinations, that serves as a microcosm and model for 21 st
century conservation, ecological tourism and sustainability. The Master Plan ideas respond to four primary goals:
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To develop a Center for Excellence in Island Ecology and Biodiversity that improves and maintains the ecological health and biodiversity of Catalina Island using adaptive management on a landscape scale that examines scientific, economic and social science data to inform land stewardship decisions and priorities.
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To develop a Center for Excellence in Environmental Education and Communication that integrates individual and mass communication learning strategies in support of the Conservancy’s conservation management goals, and promotes conservation values and behaviors to Catalina’s residents, visitors and a global society.
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To develop a Center for Excellence in Sustainable Nature-Based Recreation and Eco-Tourism that supports and promotes the Conservancy’s mission, ensures the long-term protection of Catalina, and positions the Island as a premier ecological and cultural destination.
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To develop a Center for Leadership Development in Sustainability and Land Stewardship that develops organizational capacity within the Conservancy and other land trusts to manage the complex collaborations required for community-based conservation; incorporate sustainable practices into operations and facilities; and, develop financial models that ensure exemplary stewardship “in perpetuity”.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Chief of Nature Tourism and Recreation is responsible for developing the Center for Excellence in
Sustainable Nature-Based Recreation and Ecotourism. The position will direct the Conservancy’s programs and partnerships in nature-oriented recreation and sustainable ecotourism, including the creation of new program initiatives, development of best practices and ongoing monitoring, and the identification of business strategies and partners. The individual will be responsible for moving forward, working with the President and Executive Team, the programmatic and capital construction initiatives of this area of focus of the Conservancy’s mission and Master Plan. The individual will work as part of a team that will include senior staff of the Conservancy, representatives of key in-house departments, and a variety of consultants. The position requires an understanding of and experience with sustainable ecotourism, conservation and environmental education programmatic objectives, architecture and construction, and strong interpersonal and collaborative communication skills.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1.
Direct the existing nature tourism and recreation programs of the Conservancy, which may include, but are not limited to the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden and Jeep Eco
Tour Program.
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Investigate and evaluate current strategies in place.
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Coordinate efforts with Visitor Services, Communications and Marketing, Education,
Conservation, Facilities and other departments as needed.
2.
Analyze existing recreation programs for congruence with recreation policy and adoption of best management practices.
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Identify best management practices for various activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, etc.
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Insure the adoption of best management practices working with Conservancy management and staff, local residents, visitors and outside partners/vendors.
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Work with existing Conservancy vendors (tour operators, Airport concessionaire, etc.) to upgrade and develop new recreation initiatives.
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Direct the implementation of a Visitor Management Framework that identifies management objectives and areas of concerns; selects measures of natural and cultural resources and key impact indicators; describes a potential range of visitor experiences and allocates zones to specific types of activities; develops a monitoring program of resource and social indicators; and, develops a public involvement strategy.
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Build sustainable financial models working with the Conservancy’s Chief Operating Officer.
3.
Develop and implement new recreation programs that meet the tenets of sustainable ecotourism and move forward the Conservancy’s Master Plan.
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Identify programmatic ideas based on the Conservancy’s goals and priorities.
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Analyze potential business models and partnership opportunities, and build sustainable financial models working with the Conservancy’s Chief Operating Officer.
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Direct the implementation of initiatives working with the Conservancy’s Chief
Communications Officer to market new initiatives; with the Chief Development Officer to fund raise as necessary; and, with the Chief Conservation and Education Officer to identify conservation and education concerns and establish monitoring protocols.
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4.
For initiatives requiring capital construction, direct the selection and work of outside consultant firms, including planners, architects and engineers, designers, contractors and other consultants as required.
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Along with the Chief Operating Officer, participate in the negotiation of fee and scope of service for selected A/E design team members and contractors.
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Manage the activities of the A/E team and their support disciplines during the design phases of projects.
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During construction phase, remain responsible for budget control and management.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
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Educational background in related area of nature tourism, nature interpretation, environmental education and/or conservation science. Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred.
Appropriate experience will be considered in lieu of educational credentials.
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Minimum of ten (10) years experience in the management of nature tourism programs and/or destinations. Candidate should have experience with and knowledge of nature interpretation; conservation management objectives; managing the entire guest experience from hospitality arrangements to programmatic enrichment; project conceptualization, implementation and management; business model development and budget management; analysis, development and management of partner and concessionaire relationships.
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
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Willingness to work collaboratively and within the framework of a conservation organization.
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Willing to live on Catalina Island.
SALARY LEVEL
Rate is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
This position description is intended to reflect typical responsibilities and tasks for the individual filling the position of Chief of Nature Tourism and Recreation. Actual tasks and responsibilities may vary and change over time. The Conservancy is an “at will", employer offering equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, creed or religion, age, sex, national origin or disability (within the physical parameters defined in the job description and those associated with remote island living). Any offer of employment is contingent upon verification of individual’s eligibility for employment in the United States.
For more information about the Catalina Island Conservancy, please see our website www.catalinaconservancy.org
The Mission of the Catalina Island Conservancy is to be a responsible steward of its lands through a balance of conservation, education and recreation.
The Vision of the Catalina Island Conservancy is to inspire a lifetime of exploration and stewardship of the natural and cultural world by encouraging experiences with the wild that deepen understanding of the connections between nature and self. We protect and restore the environment on Catalina, promoting and modeling ecologically sustainable communities to create a healthier future for this
Island and our Earth.
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