Posted: Apr 12, 2024
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NH Seasonal Land Steward

The Nature Conservancy - Concord, NH
Full-time
Salary: $19.50 Hourly
Application Deadline: N/A

The NH Seasonal Land Steward is responsible for stewardship support of the Conservancy’s Preserves throughout NH.  They will perform routine maintenance of preserve areas and infrastructure frequented by the visiting public, which may include trail work, trailhead maintenance, minor carpentry, and tree or brush removal.  Additionally, they will perform land management activities, which may include removing exotic species, conducting ecological monitoring, field mowing, boundary maintenance, etc., and be responsible for the maintenance of tools, equipment and supplies. The NH Seasonal Land Steward will enter and manipulate field data using a mobile device, maintain preserve records using a database, and prepare reports as needed.  We are fortunate to have a small crew of loyal and hard-working volunteers that help us manage our lands. The NH Seasonal Land Steward will respond to issues identified by Volunteer Preserve Stewards and host volunteer workdays as appropriate for completing priority tasks on Preserves.  In addition, the NH Seasonal Land Steward may be asked to assist with new volunteer recruitment and training, with developing volunteer newsletter content, and to plan and prepare for safe volunteer workdays as needed.    We are fortunate to have a 2-person AmeriCorps crew to assist with Preserve stewardship activities and volunteer workdays from May through October.  The NH Seasonal Land Steward, with guidance and support from their Supervisor and the Stewardship Team, will serve as the crew leader for the AmeriCorps team and be responsible for preparations and planning for the AmeriCorps field work activities. 

The NH Seasonal Land may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. This position requires physical exertion and/or muscular strain, long hours in isolated settings, and presents frequent possibility of injury. This is a remote position and Independence is critical to this somewhat autonomous role.  Preserves tend to be at least an hour away from any of the three TNC office’s in NH, Independent decision making and ability to work through challenging situations with limited supervision is critical to the success of this role.  The NH Seasonal Land Steward is supervised by the Southern NH Stewardship Ecologist.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

  • High school diploma or GED and 1 year’s training in science-related field or related experience in land management.
  • Experience recognizing plant and animal species.       
  • Experience operating various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g. Lawn mower, chainsaw, UTV, ATV or OHV, two-way radio, or similar equipment).                       
  • Experience working in a team environment.                                           
  • Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g. First Aid, CPR, herbicide or pesticide application).
  • Valid drivers license

 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • 1 - 2 years’ experience in land management.                    
  • Experience working with or knowledge of natural systems. 
  • Knowledge and familiarity with New Hampshire biota, geography, natural history, and environmental science preferred.
  • Ability to identify invasive plant species common to New Hampshire and experience with control and monitoring projects.
  • Possess basic carpentry skills as may be needed to build or repair Preserve signage and kiosks.
  • Safe and competent use of chainsaw; preferably training in chainsaw safety and maintenance.
  • Experience working with volunteers and/or leading volunteer work activities
  • Knowledge of, and demonstrated experience with, a GPS unit to find and mark field locations.  Able to read and interpret road and topographic maps, aerial photos, and other sources of mapped information.
  • Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and ArcGIS

ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

  • Works with stewardship staff, AmeriCorps members, and volunteers to perform preserve maintenance tasks (maintaining signs, building and maintaining trails, maintaining parking lots, marking boundaries, controlling invasive species).
  • Supervises no staff, but will provide leadership to a 2-person AmeriCorps field crew, and will help plan out work schedules, plan and prepare for work days, and plan/host preserve work groups which may include other staff and/or volunteers.  
  • Interacts with preserve visitors by providing information about the preserves, promoting the work of the Conservancy, answering questions, and enforcing preserve policies.
  • Deals with problems as they arise on preserves (may include dumping, unpermitted uses, vandalism, camping, etc.).
  • Assists stewardship staff with ecological monitoring
  • Assists with maintenance of basic equipment such as hand and power tools, chainsaws, tractors, UTVs, etc.
  • May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. Requires considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.        
  • May participate in community engagement or outreach activities to promote the stewardship program of TNC in NH.  These activities may include tabling events and hosting or assisting with educational field trips or Zoom-based presentation.       
  • Participates, when available and as certified, as crew member on controlled burns in NH
  • Assists with special projects as needed.
  • May require long hours in isolated settings.                                                                                                                        
  • Makes day to day decisions as delegated by supervisor.                                                                                                 
  • May work under infrequent supervision.