The Nature Conservancy in Indiana works with partners to restore and protect a variety of properties across 9 counties located in Northwest Indiana. Among these properties is a 9,000+ acre area known as Tefft Savanna in Northeast Jasper County. Tefft Savanna is regionally famous for being the largest migratory stopover for Greater Sandhill Cranes in their Eastern Flyway. It is also known for rare wetlands and being on the tension zone where prairie and oak savanna collide. The Conservancy has been working to restore and maintain this diverse habitat for several decades and a large-scale restoration project on recent acquisitions was launched in 2014.
The Northwest Indiana Stewardship Assistant will function as part of a 3-person crew, supervised by the Northwest Indiana Conservation Land Manager, to implement conservation strategies across northwest Indiana with a primary focus on the Tefft Savanna. These are full-time, 6-month positions with an approximate time frame of April to October. Optional, shared housing may be available in Tefft, Indiana. Compensation for this position is $13.80 an hour.
The Northwest Indiana Stewardship Crew participate in preserve operations, maintenance, and management. This may include one or more of the following functions: maintaining preserve areas frequented by the visiting public, removing exotic species and/or species monitoring (including use of herbicides), preparing units for prescribed burning, brush and tree removal, seed harvesting, maintaining tools and equipment, and other preserve management activities as needed.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- 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 under infrequent supervision.
- Makes day to day decisions as delegated by supervisor.
- 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 and work in a team environment.
- 1-2 years’ experience in land management.
- 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.
- 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.