Land Steward

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION TITLE: Land Steward

LOCATION: Breaux Bridge or Lake Charles, Louisiana

STATUS: Salaried (full time, regular)

NOTICE DATE: January 9, 2015

ANTICIPATED START DATE: March 30, 2015

SALARY: Commensurate with education and experience

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY

The Nature Conservancy, Louisiana Office, seeks a broadly trained natural resource professional with expertise in land management and conservation methods to serve as Land Steward. The Land Steward will be primarily responsible for managing and directing conservation programs on TNC preserves in Louisiana west of the Mississippi River. The Land Steward will coordinate the work of land management contractors and may have direct and indirect supervisory responsibility for other TNC land stewardship staff as well as volunteers.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Land Steward participates in preserve planning and leads preserve management programs and stewardship for TNC preserves mainly in southwest and north Louisiana. The Land Steward will also assist with specific conservation science issues in the Louisiana office. This will include the following functions:

• Leads the development of conservation management plans for preserves in southwest and north Louisiana and is the primary lead in the implementation of those plans, which may include the following management activities: control of invasive exotic and native species, restoration forestry, restoration plantings, preserve/target monitoring, boundary posting/maintenance, oversight of hunting leases, and trail maintenance.
• Identifies and addresses critical threats to natural systems and individual species of concern present on TNC preserves and key partner lands.
• Actively works with the broader conservation community to promote appropriate conservation management on other lands.
• Assists in acquiring varying degrees of legal interest in land targeted for conservation.
• Develops and oversees contracts with private contractors for particular management activities on TNC preserves.
• Leads work teams of volunteers or other TNC staff to accomplish management tasks on selected preserves.
• Conducts a variety of monitoring efforts, including annual monitoring of conservation servitudes held by TNC on private land, and habitat condition monitoring to determine relative health of ecological systems present on selected preserves.
• Participates in TNC’s prescribed fire program in primary focus areas as needed.
• Coordinates third-party research on selected preserves.
• Operates and maintains a variety of tools, equipment and heavy machinery.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and judgment.
• Supervises administrative and professional staff with responsibility for performance management, training and development.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in natural resource management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing staff.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
• Must have valid driver's license.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
• Experience working with a variety of partners (e.g., media, government officials, private landowners and internal scientists).
• Experience developing, directing and managing multiple projects while meeting deadlines and staying within budget.
• Basic knowledge of natural systems of Louisiana. Knowledge of characteristic plant and animal species found on Louisiana TNC preserves and willingness to learn to identify native and non-native plant and animal species that are monitored as part of various land management programs.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation. Working knowledge of GPS, map reading/interpretation and GIS.
• Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
• Experience with land management practices, including prescribed fire.
• Basic knowledge of routine forestry activities including timber cruising and marking, harvest supervision, site preparation and tree planting.
• Excellent physical condition. Ability to meet minimum TNC training and health requirements for prescribed burning at the arduous level. For LAOU: 45 pound pack test result of 45 minutes or less.
• Experience with and ability to perform physically demanding work.
• History of safe operation of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility all-terrain vehicles (UTVs), four-wheel-drive vehicles, farm tractors and equipment, and small boats and outboard motors.
• Experience with safe use and maintenance of hand and power tools and equipment.
• Able to obtain within 60 days of beginning employment first aid/CPR certification and Louisiana herbicide applicator’s certification.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

• Willingness to travel long distances, sometimes on short-notice, and to work long hours alone in an isolated setting. Work will frequently require overnight stays away from home.

• Ability to perform tasks requiring physical exertion, outdoors, in all weather conditions and on difficult and sometimes hazardous terrain..
• Work often requires extreme physical exertion and/or physical strain to the point of physical fatigue. Work environment involves exposure to job hazard’s where there is a frequent possibility of injury.

If interested, please contact Latimore Smith at latimore_smith@tnc.org.