The North Central Stewardship Assistant performs and participates in the operations, maintenance, and management of TNC preserves in North Central Indiana as part of a multi-person crew. This is a 6-month position with an approximate time frame of early April to early October. Optional housing is available in Tefft, Indiana.
The North Central Stewardship Assistant is part of a team responsible for the restoration and management of nine nature preserves located in north central Indiana under the direction of the North Central Land Steward, who is based in the Kankakee Sands office in Morocco, Indiana. In addition, approximately 5% of the Stewardship Assistant’s time is spent providing assistance to implement priority conservation management activities throughout Northwest Indiana. The North Central Stewardship Assistant will use hand tools, herbicides, ATV/UTV’s, and small machinery to complete the restoration duties.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- The Preserve Management Assistant participates in preserve operations, maintenance, and management. This may include one or more of the following functions:
- Maintain preserve areas frequented by the visiting public
- Remove exotic species and/or species monitoring (including use of herbicides)
- Prepare units for prescribed burning
- Maintain tools and equipment
- Brush and tree removal
- Seed harvest
- Other preserve management activities as needed
- Supervises no staff, but may help plan and direct preserve work groups, including staff or volunteers.
- 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.
- Requires long hours in isolated settings.
- Makes day to day decisions as delegated by supervisor.
- May work under infrequent supervision
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience recognizing native and exotic plant and animal species.
- Experience operating various types of equipment (sprayers, chainsaws, brush cutters, trucks, trailers, etc.).
- Experience working in a team environment.
- Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g. First Aid, CPR, herbicide application, and driver’s license).
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to follow instructions from colleagues.
- 1-2 years’ experience in land management.
- Ability to work in a team environment.
- Interest and ability to communicate and work within a rural agricultural area.
- Ability to interact with visitors and volunteers to convey basic project information.
- Experience and interest in natural areas restoration, ecology, or other natural resource field.
- Ability to safely use herbicides to control invasive plant species.
- Ability to safely use and maintain tools and equipment, including chainsaw, power, and construction tools.
- Ability to safely use vehicles such as trucks, trailers, UTV/RTVs, and mowers.
- Knowledge of Midwest flora and fauna. Experience and/or familiarity with taxonomic keys.
- Assist and potentially lead volunteer crews and activities.
- Ability to keep organized and accurate records and work efficiently without supervision.
- Ability to perform physical work, oftentimes under adverse conditions or in inclement weather.
- PC familiarity, including database knowledge.
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
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.