WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST

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Stewardship Manager Position

TITLE: Stewardship Manager
SUPERVISOR: Director of Stewardship

Hours: Full-time (average 37.5 hours/week), Generally Monday through Fridays, 8:30am-4:30pm with occasional early morning, evening or weekend hours as needed

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Benefits: Generous vacation, sick and personal time off; health and dental insurance; life insurance; short-term disability insurance; simple IRA retirement savings plan

To Apply: Submit cover letter, resume and 3 references to Andrew Kirkpatrick, Director of Stewardship at ajk@wctrust.org.


POSITION SUMMARY

Willistown Conservation Trust (WCT) is seeking a Stewardship Manager to join its dynamic team of conservation professionals. This position will oversee the maintenance of WCT’s four public nature preserve properties as well as the Rushton Conservation Center (RCC) and office headquarters (HQ); ensuring maximum public accessibility, implementing habitat restoration efforts, and working with volunteers to assist with a variety of preserve-based projects.  This position will also assist with the administration, monitoring, and enforcement of 100+ conservation easements, working with the Director of Stewardship to assess and document compliance while striving to maintain positive relationships with easement landowners.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong initiative, excellent project management skills, a collaborative nature, and a desire to learn. As a small non-profit organization, staff are expected to work collaboratively across all departments.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of the Stewardship Manager include supporting the Director of Stewardship in the following areas:

Easement Stewardship:

  • Annually monitor WCT easements; identifying and resolving violations as required.
  • Create annual easement monitoring reports for each easement; organize and include supporting documentation such as maps and photos when needed.
  • Back-up key stewardship documents; maintaining originals and copies of annual monitoring reports, critical correspondence, easement violation resolutions, etc.
  • Assist with the review and interpretation of proposed architectural, landscape, and engineering plans for easement properties

Land Stewardship:

  • Maintain Kirkwood, Ashbridge, Woodpecker Woods, and Rushton Woods Preserves and the Okehocking Barn for maximum public enjoyment, accessibility and safety.
  • This includes: trail construction and maintenance, invasive species plant management, native plant restorations, and habitat improvements.
  • Monitor preserves annually; prepare monitoring reports.
  • Organize volunteers, student service groups, or interns as needed to execute habitat restoration projects under the supervision of the Director of Stewardship.
  • Conduct the scheduled activities outlined in the preserve management plans, including trail mowing.

Facilities:

  • Oversee facilities maintenance needs and minor repairs at WCT HQ and RCC.
  • Provide supervision to a PT Facilities Contractor and coordinate facilities projects and/or repairs on a weekly basis.
  • Coordinate contractors as needed to complete projects defined by the Director of Stewardship.

Outreach

  • Opportunities to participate in WCT education and outreach events with volunteers, school groups, corporate groups, and/or the general public.


QUALIFICATIONS:

  • 3-5 years’ experience in land trust or conservation work, and/or an advanced degree in landscape architecture, conservation, natural resource management, ecology, arboriculture, environmental sciences, or other related field.
  • Ability to work independently when needed and as part of a close-knit team.
  • Ability to communicate positively and effectively with a full range of professionals, landowners, WCT constituents and contractors.
  • Basic plant identification skills including knowledge of native and invasive plant species.
  • Familiarity with invasive plant management techniques and methods.
  • Knowledge of ecological and landscape restoration principles and best practices.
  • Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work with basic hand and power tools, including chainsaws, mowers, and small tractors.
  • Knowledge of Windows Office Suite and ability to learn easement management software.

Preferred, or a willingness to learn:

  • Understanding of conservation easements and their management.
  • Ability to read architectural, engineering and landscape architectural plans.
  • Experience in recruiting and managing volunteers.
  • Ability to make simple repairs, including basic carpentry and painting.
  • Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro software.

Willistown Conservation Trust is a non-smoking, dog-friendly work environment. As a small non-profit organization, staff are expected to work collaboratively across all departments. Duties may occasionally require physical work outdoors. WCT is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.