Skip to main content

This job has expired

Stewardship Assistant

Employer
The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts
Location
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Salary
$21.00/hr, housing available
Closing date
Apr 19, 2023

A LITTLE ABOUT US

Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable.  One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Stewardship Field Assistant assists with a variety of stewardship and management duties on Conservancy preserves on Martha’s Vineyard. Duties include legal compliance monitoring, ecological monitoring, invasive species control, ecological restoration, research, updating management plans, using and maintaining equipment such as hand tools, chain saws and brush saws, safely applying herbicide, enforcing preserve policies and monitoring visitor use, performing trail, boundary, and sign maintenance, and maintaining cooperative relationships with preserve neighbors, agency partners, the general public and partner organizations.

This is a full-time, 24-week, temporary position that begins in July 2022 and ends in December 2022. Housing is available in TNC’s Hoft Farm Field Station (group housing) in exchange for property maintenance.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

  • Conducts legal compliance monitoring and drafts compliance reports; enters monitoring data; works with Stewardship Manager to notify parties in the event of a violation and on volunteer implemented activities. Works with stewardship staff and volunteers to perform preserve maintenance tasks (maintain kiosks and signs, maintain trails, mark boundaries, control invasive species using hand tools and herbicides). Interacts with preserve visitors by providing information about the preserves, promoting the work of the Conservancy, answering questions, and enforcing preserve policies. Researches and acquires ecological and legal information and field collects natural resource information pertinent to the management of Massachusetts Chapter preserves and conservation easements and assists with updating preserve management plans. Deals with problems as they arise on preserves (may include dumping, trespassing, unauthorized vehicular use, camping, etc.). Assists stewardship staff with ecological monitoring, including participation in monitoring rare plant and animal populations. Assists with grassland and sandplain grassland management and restoration (seeding, mechanical treatment, tilling, etc.).  Assists with maintenance of basic equipment such as hand and power tools, chainsaws, brush saws, etc. May travel to Cape Cod and/or Nantucket to perform duties as needed. Assists with special projects as needed. Housing is available, in exchange for property maintenance and associated projects, at Hoft Farm Field Station (group housing) in Vineyard Haven, MA.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • High school diploma and 1 year’s training in science-related field or related experience in land management or equivalent combination.  Experience identifying plant and animal species. Experience with mobile technology (tablets or smartphones) and interpreting mapped information. Requires ability to work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. Requires physical exertion and/or muscular strain, long hours in isolated settings, and presents frequent possibility of injury. Requires valid driver’s license. Requires either a current MA Applicator License (Core) or willingness to take the exam required to obtain a Core license.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience. 1 – 2 years training in science-related field or related experience in land management.  Ability to perform physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions. Ability to hike over rough terrain for extended periods of time, lift and carry up to 40 pounds, and be willing to work outdoors sometimes in foul weather; ability to navigate in the field.   Willingness to work and travel on Cape Cod and Nantucket, if necessary. Occasional weekend and evening work may occur. Experience operating and maintaining power tools, chainsaws, and brush saws safely is preferred. Communicates effectively in person and in writing with a wide variety of people, including preserve neighbors, private landowners, partners, and volunteers. Experience with Microsoft Office Knowledge of, and demonstrated experience with, a GPS unit- to find and mark field locations, have experience navigating roads in remote locations. Able to read and interpret road and topographic maps, aerial photos, and other sources of mapped information. Experience with ESRI software is helpful. First Aid and CPR certified is helpful. Knowledge and familiarity with New England geography, natural history, environmental science.

To apply, please search for JOB #51232 on http://www.nature.org/careers. Please include a resume and cover letter.

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert