Position Details
Title: Community-Led Conservation Coordinator
Location: Duke Farms, Hillsborough, N.J.
Reports to: Scientist and Manager of Ecology and Nature Tech Solutions
Status: Full time, non-exempt

Duke Farms is a living lab where model strategies for nature restoration, wildlife conservation and clean energy transition are developed. Located on 2,700 acres in Hillsborough, New Jersey, the campus serves as a gathering place for global decision-makers and local neighbors to ignite change.
As a center of the Doris Duke Foundation (DDF), Duke Farms advances the foundation’s mission to build a more creative, equitable and sustainable future. We work across three areas: arts & culture, nature, and health & well-being. In addition to Duke Farms, DDF operates five national programs as well as Shangri La, a global center for transformation located in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. DDF’s activities are guided by the will of Doris Duke, who endowed the foundation with financial assets that currently total over $2 billion. (To learn more about the foundation, visit dorisduke.org.)

POSITION
The Community-Led Conservation Coordinator will lead the coordination and facilitation of multi-stakeholder partnerships to advance conservation goals across the region. The role centers on organizing coalitions of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, academic institutions and community groups to co-develop strategies that enhance ecological resilience and support long-term restoration outcomes. The position also includes developing and managing community-led conservation science initiatives aimed at advancing nature-based solutions in peri-urban environments, with an initial emphasis on riparian restoration and landscape connectivity. The Coordinator will serve as a liaison between Duke Farms and the community, ensuring that conservation efforts are informed by local knowledge, grounded in scientific integrity and focused on long-term environmental outcomes.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Partnerships and Engagement

• Convene and facilitate a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including local NGOs, municipal and township governments, state and federal agencies, academic institutions, community groups and individual participants to co-create and implement conservation strategies.
• Foster strong community relationships and ongoing engagement in conservation activities.
• Deliver hands-on training sessions, workshops and educational events to engage community volunteers and stakeholders from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Represent Duke Farms’ community-led conservation science initiatives in community and partner settings by sharing program goals, activities and outcomes.

Community-Led Conservation Science Programs in Practice

• Design, implement and manage community-led conservation science projects focused initially on riparian ecosystem restoration and landscape connectivity, leveraging community participation to generate impactful ecological outcomes. Organize and lead field-based community-led conservation activities that train volunteers and ensure high-quality, standardized data collection.
• Ensure data integrity and facilitate data analysis and reporting in collaboration with scientific advisors.
• Communicate project findings through professional reports, white papers, peer-reviewed publications, public presentations, workshops and digital media.

Education and Resource Development

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop educational modules and resources tailored to citizen scientists and volunteers.
• Assist in identifying grant opportunities, writing proposals and supporting fundraising initiatives to secure financial resources for conservation projects.
• Perform oth+er work, including special projects, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• B.Sc. degree in ecology, conservation biology, environmental science or a related field. M.Sc. degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating ecological, conservation or environmental education projects.
• Proficiency in stakeholder engagement, communication and organizational skills.
• Experience developing and managing citizen science or community-based environmental programs.
• Knowledge of riparian restoration practices, ecological monitoring techniques and peri-urban environmental challenges.
• Strong interpersonal and public speaking skills.
• Ability to work with and lead groups representing a range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, while effectively coordinating complex logistics.
• Proficiency in data management and familiarity with ecological research methods.
• Passion for community engagement, environmental stewardship and biodiversity conservation.
• Proficient in using technology, including generative AI tools, to drive efficiency.
• Ability to navigate the 2,700-plus-acre Duke Farms property and travel to other locations, both indoors and outdoors, in various weather conditions.
• Ability to repeatedly lift and carry up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to work in various outdoor conditions including but not limited to heat, cold, sun exposure and wet weather with potential exposure to environmental factors such as poison ivy, ticks and mosquitoes.
• Available to work flexible hours, including weekends, evenings and holidays.
• A valid driver’s license.

We recognize that not every candidate will meet every qualification listed. If you are passionate about our mission and believe you have the skills and experience to perform the essential functions of this role, we encourage you to apply.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Anticipated hourly rate is $23.46 to $29.32, and the final offer will depend on experience.
• Industry-leading benefits, including a 15% employer contribution to your 401(k), comprehensive health insurance, four weeks of paid vacation with additional paid time off and matching gift benefits of up to $20,000 per year—all designed to support employees’ well-being, productivity and engagement.
• A values-driven culture rooted in integrity, excellence, collaboration, openness and imagination, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
• The Doris Duke Foundation is committed to inclusive hiring and equal employment opportunity. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, orientations and communities to apply. Our recruiting and employment practices adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. We provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation in the job application process is needed, please contact us at HR@dorisduke.org