Kokosing Nature Preserve (KNP) seeks an independent and goal-oriented individual with a high level of emotional intelligence to fill the position of Kokosing Nature Preserve Green Burial Coordinator.
Kokosing Nature Preserve (KNP) is a 23-acre conservation burial ground affiliated with Kenyon College. Located one mile from rural Gambier, Ohio, KNP offers natural alternatives for full body or cremated remains interment with comforting, serene views of the surrounding landscape. KNP was developed in 2014 by the Philander Chase Conservancy (PCC), Kenyon’s land trust, as a means of generating revenue for land conservation.
Position Summary
The Preserve seeks an independent and goal-oriented individual with a high level of emotional intelligence to serve in a part-time capacity to lead the day to day activities of the natural burial cemetery. This position will report to the PCC Director and under the oversight of the KNP Board of Directors. The Green Burial Coordinator will be responsible for all aspects of the operations of the conservation burial ground, including marketing, sales, record keeping, licensing, and interment services as well as land management. This is a 0.6 FTE position with the potential for full-time work after the first year based on achieving sales goals.
Essential Functions
Conservation Burial:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for families and loved ones, both pre-planning and at the time of need, for the selection of burial plots and/or scattering locations and planning services.
- Manage logistics, including coordination with the family, funeral home, and other partners, for all interments, scatterings and services at the cemetery.
- Post-burial management of gravesites.
- Oversight of land management according to the cemetery Ecological Assessment and Invasive Management Plan.
- File necessary paperwork for annual licensure with the state and certification with the Green Burial Council.
Operations:
- Sell interment rights for KNP according to established sales goals.
- Manage all customer records and corporate documents.
- Oversee the management of KNP’s perpetual care trust.
- Coordinate with Kenyon’s Office of Finance to ensure loan payments are completed annually.
- Manage contracts with community partners for necessary burial services and land management activities.
- Coordinate volunteers (student and community) for burial services and land management activities.
Marketing & Communications:
- Maintain relationships with public and private partners including funeral homes and end of life doulas, who are willing to partner with KNP on green burial.
- Build awareness of KNP through presentations and/or tours to churches, assisted-living centers, hospice and other focal audiences in central Ohio.
- Manage KNP’s social media channels, including Facebook and Instagram.
- Collaborate with Kenyon’s Office of Communication as necessary.
- Serve as a liaison for KNP on the Green Burial Council and Conservation Burial Alliance and attend seminars and/or workshops on conservation burial and management.
Collaboration with the College:
- Assist in integrating KNP into the educational mission of the College through collaboration with other green centers and academic departments.
- Host professors and students for class presentations and tours and occasionally drive students and staff in 12 passenger college-owned vans (training provided).
KNP Board of Directors:
- Work with the KNP Board of Directors to recruit and onboard new board members as needed.
- Plan and facilitate one annual board meeting and ad hoc board/committee meetings as needed.
- Develop strategic planning initiatives as needed.
Other Functions:
- Assist the PCC Director and the Office Manager and Student Intern Coordinator with other Philander Chase Conservancy projects as possible.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking, and the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with the public and with grief-stricken families.
- A flexible approach to work and the ability to re-prioritize; coordinating a service often requires setting aside other projects.
- Strong project management skills, including but not limited to attention to detail, problem-solving, time management, contract management, and report preparation.
- Self-starter with an ability to create and maintain collaborations and the ability to work independently and as part of a small team.
- Ability and willingness to engage in outdoor activity, carry equipment and serve as a pallbearer when necessary, endure outdoor conditions including cold and wet winter weather and extreme heat with or without accommodation for up to two hours at a time.
- Ability to maintain composure in challenging situations.
- Working knowledge of ArcGIS and previous use of a GPS unit preferred.
Working Conditions
- Position will have office space alongside PCC staff in Woollam House on the Kenyon College campus.
- Day to day work schedule will be determined by client needs (pre-planning or at need) and scheduling of outreach activities. Irregular hours are required.
- Position requires walking outdoors on uneven terrain and near open graves up to 4 feet deep.
- Outdoor weather conditions will be encountered during site selection, burial planning and services. These could include cold and wet winter weather and/or extreme heat and humidity with or without accommodation for up to two hours at a time. You are responsible for providing appropriate personal gear for the conditions.
- Some heavy-lifting/moving/lowering of equipment and other objects up to 50lbs is required.
- In-state travel and evening and weekend work as job responsibilities demand.
- Certification and willingness to drive 10-12 passenger vans will be necessary. Training will be provided.
Minimum Qualifications
- 3 - 5 years of experience with project/event coordination with customer service experience preferred.
- Valid driver's license.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat required.
Kenyon College is a nationally prominent, private liberal arts college where academic excellence goes hand in hand with a strong sense of community and close relationships among students and professors.
Compensation and Benefits
Salaries at Kenyon are competitive and commensurate with experience. In addition to an attractive salary, Kenyon offers benefits for employees and their family members. Children of employees are eligible for 100% tuition waivers at Kenyon, and through the Great Lakes Colleges Association, children of employees are eligible for 90% tuition waivers at eighteen other of the nation's finest liberal arts colleges.
We also offer health, dental and vision insurance, TIAA retirement, and many other benefits, including provisions for a spouse, families, and domestic partners. Details about benefits as well as conditions of employment are described more fully in our Staff Handbook.
Kenyon is a unique place to live and work. To discover why it should be your next home, click here.
Kenyon College is an equal opportunity employer and applications from members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged. It is the College's policy to evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical and/or mental disability, age, religion, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local, or federal law. Kenyon College has a strong commitment to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion. Please visit our Diversity at Kenyon website.