Ventura Land Trust (VLT) is a local, private, non-profit land trust working to protect the land, water, wildlife, and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. We own almost 4,000 acres of wildlands in Ventura County and strive to learn about, enhance, and communicate conservation values through responsible public access, habitat protection, and community ecological literacy. We endeavor to create a fun, inspiring, educational, and team-oriented work environment.

The Land Steward is responsible for assisting the Field Manager in carrying out the overall Stewardship and Conservation priorities of the land trust across all managed lands, in addition to coordinating and carrying out the three Trash Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) contracts held by VLT. Approximately 50% of this position will involve managing trash TMDL contracts with the County of Ventura that aim to support water quality and riparian habitats through monitoring and reporting trash accumulations in strategic sections of the Ventura River, Calleguas Creek, and Malibu Creek, and facilitating their clean up with project partners. The remaining 50% of this position will involve working with VLT’s stewardship team to support sustainable public access and land management on VLT’s nature preserves, including vegetation management, trail and public access infrastructure maintenance, liaising with docents and volunteers, and supporting active restoration projects. With the newly opened Ventura Hills Nature Preserve, this position offers the opportunity to have a large role in shaping public access and responsible management of 1,645 acres of open space adjacent to downtown Ventura. The position includes regular interaction with people experiencing homelessness, picking up trash, and working with volunteers.

Responsibilities:

• Providing field labor for all aspects of public access management, including trail construction and management, coordinating volunteers for trail maintenance, trail counter data collection and maintenance, public amenities management across VLT preserves, and public education on the importance of sustainable public access.
• Responsible for three TMDL projects that include bi-weekly trash monitoring, preparing reports, collection per our contract with the County of Ventura, oversight of project implementation partners, and leading volunteer crews on trash collection in the Ventura River.
• Support land management priorities, including vegetation management, erosion mitigation, and habitat restoration.
• Attend and manage some volunteer events. Coordinate volunteers, supplies, and locations.
• Communicate the organization’s mission while respecting the perspective of the community you are engaging with.
• Be present and working at most VLT events. Available some evenings and weekends.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma and 2+ years of experience in native habitat fieldwork, or AA/AS
• Physically able, with or without an accommodation, to work and thrive in relatively remote outdoor environments with uneven and sometimes extremely steep terrain, variable outdoor conditions including heat, cold, wind, dust, moisture, and dryness. Position requires frequent standing/walking and lifting of up to 50 pounds; often performing repetitive bending & stooping, power gripping/squeezing (hand tools, levers, etc.), repetitive or fine hand movements, occasionally working with arms above shoulder level, climbing stairs, using portable ladders, operation of and/or working in the presence of vehicles and heavy, moving, or dangerous equipment, and long distance hiking off trail, sometimes in pokey/brushy and steep conditions. Position will include wearing personal protective equipment, including safety glasses/goggles, gloves, safety shoes/boots, face shield
• Ability to effectively communicate with other staff
• Comfortable working in a continuously evolving environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, or related sciences.
• Experience in trail design and maintenance.
• Knowledge and familiarity with use, maintenance, and repair of power equipment such as weed whips, chain saws, hedgers, small tractors and mini excavators.
• Knowledge and understanding of equipment and techniques used to perform habitat restoration, including invasive plant management.
• Knowledge of coastal sage scrub and riparian botanical species.
• Experience working with unpaid volunteers.
• Experience with electronic data collection devices and data management.
• CPR/First Aid certified.
• English/Spanish bilingual.

Hourly compensation ranges between $19-23, commensurate with experience and other qualifications. Budgeted hours are 40 hours per week. Land Steward qualifies as a full-time hourly/non-exempt employee and is eligible for medical benefits plus vacation, holiday, sick time and an un-matched 401(k) plan.

The application deadline for this position is June 5, 2026. To be considered for this position, please email resume and cover letter to careers@venturalandtrust.org with "Land Steward" in the subject line.

Complete position description: https://www.venturalandtrust.org/careers