The Conservation Steward will be exposed to a broad range of educational opportunities during the course of the field season. This position provides hands-on exposure to all aspects of The Nature Conservancy’s work on Long Island, both in the field and at our offices. The Conservation Steward will work closely with TNC Long Island Conservation staff and may assist partner organizations as needed. Working with a global conservation organization will broaden the selected candidate’s knowledge of worldwide conservation issues and strategies for addressing threats to biodiversity. The anticipated duration of this position is approx. 4 months; shared housing is available.
Primary duties include Preserve stewardship, species management and monitoring, and conservation science monitoring and restoration projects, and may include: Stewardship: Assisting Conservation Lands team with various aspects of nature preserve stewardship and facilities management. Tasks may include boundary marking, trail management and maintenance, fencing, routine mowing, GIS data collection and mapping, facilities maintenance work and preparation for events at our nature preserves and office locations on Long Island. Piping Plover Protection: Assisting Conservation Lands team with locating and monitoring piping plover nesting sites. Tasks will include erecting symbolic fencing and predator exclosures, monitoring reproductive success throughout the breeding season, recording specified field observations, close interaction with the public and adjacent landowners, and assisting with preparation of final reports. Conservation Science: Assisting Conservation Science team with a variety of coastal and marine restoration projects, including the Long Island Road-Stream Crossing Improvement project. Tasks include field assessments of road stream and tidal crossings (bridges and culverts) for their condition and ecological impact using established protocols and desktop assessment using ArcGIS to extract measures from remotely sensed data following a step-by-step procedure. Additional Conservation Science tasks include monitoring salt marshes, collecting environmental data, and assisting staff with monitoring programs on board vessels. Training will be provided for all of the above-mentioned tasks.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Requires good interpersonal and communication skills for regular interaction with staff, preserve neighbors and visitors
- Ability to work under close supervision or independently
- May work outdoors in variable weather conditions, at remote locations for long periods of time in isolated settings, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances
- Requires considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain
- Comfortable living and working closely with colleagues on a daily basis
- Experience operating various types of tools and equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g. handheld GPS, gardening tools, lawn mower, chainsaw, etc.)
- Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g. First Aid, CPR)
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills appreciated; Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience preferred
- Preferred minimum level of education: college freshman year completed by summer of 2019
- Environmental science or wildlife science/biology coursework preferred
- Experience working with or knowledge of natural systems
- Experience collecting spatial and biological data in the field
- Experience using ArcGIS software
- Ability to perform field work on boats
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.