The SE Arizona Preserves Steward performs and participates in preserve operations including the operation and maintenance of facilities and equipment and development and coordination of conservation programs.
The SE Arizona Preserves Steward will be based at the Ramsey Canyon Preserve and supports multiple preserves in the SE Arizona Program. The position provides operational support activities at the preserves which can include opening and closing, periodically will require longer work days (approx. 10-hours), weekends, and holidays; working with volunteers, engaging the public, and leading volunteer work projects.
The SE Arizona Preserves Steward will maintain, monitor and repair preserve areas frequented by the visiting public and other preserve infrastructure. Additionally, the Preserve Steward will have responsibility of operating, repairing, and maintaining preserve vehicles, tools, and equipment (ATV’s, chainsaws, etc.).
The SE Arizona Preserve Steward will help develop and implement SE Preserve’s ecological management strategies and can include invasive species identification and treatment, data collection and monitoring, and native fish surveying.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Supervises no staff; may lead or monitor work groups consisting of interns and volunteers covering a wide geographic area.
- May be the only staff person on the preserve at times and will be required to make sound decisions without guidance.
- Financial responsibility may include working within a budget to complete projects, negotiating and coordinating contracting with vendors, and acquiring building permits.
- Engaging with the visiting public and communicating about The Nature Conservancy mission, answering their questions, etc.
- May network and collaborate with diverse groups including landowners and conservation partners.
- Coordinates with other SE Arizona Preserve staff and helps where needed.
- May work under minimal and/or distant supervision; may make some sound 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.
- Ensures that The Nature Conservancy’s Youth Safety policy is adhered to when there are any activities that may include youth.
- Prepare required reports and documentation.
- Experience interacting with preserve visitors and conveying basic preserve information.
- Experience working in a team environment and independently.
- Experience working with volunteers and leading volunteer work groups.
- Experience working with invasive species and researching and developing management plans.
- Experience with facilities maintenance and systems, use of hand and power tools, and vehicle maintenance and minor repairs.
- Experience managing outside vendors.
- Obtain/maintain related certifications (such as herbicide, pesticide, CPR).
- Experience in ecological land management principles and plant identification.
- Experience operating, repairing, and maintaining various types of tools and equipment including vehicles, ATV’s, chainsaws, etc.
- Experience performing physically strenuous work in outdoor elements lifting and carrying a 35 lb. pack and walking most of the day.
- Experience using software applications (e.g.; Outlook, Word, Excel, Web browsers).
- Valid driver's license.
- Youth Safety qualified.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural experience appreciated.
- 1 – 2 years related experience in custodial and ecological land management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience working with the public.
- Experience working with herbicides and using associated personal protective equipment (PPE’s).
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, complete projects on time while delivering quality results, and work independently.
- Experience (or ability to learn) towing of trailers under 18 ft.
- Experience with Arizona native fish identification
- 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.
- Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Able and willing to work longer days, days, and weekends as needed.
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.