The Ordway Glacial Lakes Site Steward (OGLSS) performs and participates in preserve operations including the maintenance, management, development and coordination of conservation programs.
The OGLSS leads work teams to ensure the coordination, community support and implementation of preserve management plans throughout the Ordway Glacial Lakes landscape (central Minnesota). Management activities include assisting with prescribed burning, clearing and mowing firebreaks, repairing and organizing burn equipment, tree and brush cutting, fence construction/removal, parking area maintenance, maintaining vehicles and mileage log sheets, meeting with local landowners, identifying management needs for preserves, assisting with field trips, working with volunteers and contractors, and other land management tasks as needed. The OGLSS maintains preserve areas frequented by the visiting public, removes exotic species and/or monitors and researches species, maintains tools and equipment and operates heavy machinery. Additional functions may include contract planning and project oversight working with a wide array of private contractors. This is a full-time seasonal, term position with a start date of March, 26, 2019 and end date of October 25, 2019. This term position is funded through an LSOHC grant, in combination with TNC operational funds
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- May lead or monitor work groups consisting of staff, interns, and volunteers covering a wide geographic area.
- Financial responsibility may include working within a grant budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development and fundraising targets.
- May assist with grant accomplishments and reporting tasks.
- Networks with diverse groups, including land owners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the general public to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy programs/preserves.
- May work under minimal and/or distant supervision; may make some independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances
- Experience with natural systems.
- Experience in ecological land management principles.
- Experience operating and or repairing various types of equipment and machinery.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- 2 – 3 years related experience in custodial and ecological land management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience in Prescribed burning and/or wildfire suppression, qualified as a FFT2. (S130/190) with FFT1/ICT5 qualified highly preferred.
- Desire to advance in NWCG fire qualifications.
- 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)Ability to become MN Pesticide Applicator certified.
- MN Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or ability to obtain a CDL.
- Experience in contract planning and project oversight.
- Experience working with a diverse group of people (conservation partners, private contractors, LGU’s)
- Some experience working with lease negotiation (Ag, grazing and haying leases)
- Some supervisory experience managing volunteers or entry level staff.
- Ability to recognize plant and animal species to complete preserve management activities.
- Knowledge/understanding of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation/conservation or similar field.
- Ability to complete tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
- Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g.; Word, Excel, Web browsers).
- Communicating clearly via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
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.