Job description
The Land Steward reports directly to the Executive Director but works closely with the Director of Land Preservation and Director of Cultural Resources. The Land Steward plays a critical role caring for preserved lands through monitoring, assessing ecological and public access values of preserves, and implementing strategic and scientific stewardship solutions to conservation threats.
Hunterdon Land Trust seeks a candidate with a deep love for and familiarity with our local landscapes, flora and fauna as well as an effective project manager with experience in all aspects of project administration as well as stewardship planning and implementation.
Responsibilities
Conservation
Complete baseline reports of conditions on properties and easements targeted for preservation.
Develop management plans for Hunterdon Land Trust’s preserves by assessing conservation values such as water quality, biological diversity and opportunities for appropriate public use.
Implement stewardship initiatives in management plans and forest stewardship plans, such as invasive species removals, plantings, erosion control, and mowing.
Identify, monitor, and manage conservation threats such as overgrazing by deer, invasive plant species, erosion, insect pests, and harmful practices like dumping or off-road vehicle use.
Coordinate Natural Resource Management Team to manage deer populations on Trust properties and to utilize volunteer labor.
Coordinate monitoring of conservation easements and fee-owned properties annually. Provide monitoring education and training to volunteers, employees and trustees as needed.
Support land preservation activities through ArcGIS mapping.
Seek stewardship funding sources and participate in stewardship grant development.
Public Access – Improve public access opportunities as appropriate.
Build and maintain trails
GPS trails and assist with creation of map guides
Install signage and kiosks
Outreach and Education – Inspire County residents, trust supporters, and volunteers to be engaged stewards of the regional landscape.
Interpret the natural world for preserve visitors, Trust supporters, and colleagues during hikes, in videos, etc.
Engage the community in land management; use properties as models to showcase responsible land stewardship and resource protection.
Plan and organize stewardship events for the land trust.
Develop mutually beneficial partnerships with conservation groups at the local, county, and state level.
Manage and inspire volunteers to steward Trust properties and act as ambassadors for the organization and for our natural and rural landscapes.
Qualifications
Extensive knowledge of the ecology of the regional landscape and skills in field identification of flora and fauna
Leadership skills to manage stewardship events and volunteers effectively and inspirationally
Interest in supporting the development of grant proposals to fund stewardship work; familiarity with funding possibilities for land management in New Jersey
Physical capacity to complete hard labor in the field in many weather conditions
Experience with using field tools, such as lawn mowers and chain saws, safely
Working knowledge of restoration and landscaping methods, including trail building, erosion control and forest management, as well as appropriate safety measures
Field identification skills for common and emerging invasive plant species and an understanding of effective eradication techniques
Knowledge of monitoring techniques to prioritize and assess the success of landscape-level and site-specific stewardship
Superior writing and oral communications skills
Ability to work in a fast-paced yet collegial environment
Strong interpersonal and organization skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize
Familiarity with GPS and mapping technologies; basic skills using ArcGIS software for mapping
Herbicide license or willingness to obtain one
Minimum of a Bachelor Degree preferred
More than 5 years of experience or combination of experience and education in land stewardship or related field
Compensation: HLT offers a competitive salary and flexible work environment.
How to apply
Please e-mail your resume and cover letter to judy@hunterdonlandtrust.org by March 28, 2016. Please include in your cover letter the minimum and maximum number of hours you are seeking in this position and the salary requirements related to those hours. Additional information about the Hunterdon Land Trust can be found at www.hunterdonlandtrust.org. Desired start date is May 16, 2016 but can be flexible.