Stewardship Associate Job Description

About Blue Ridge Conservancy
BRC is a nationally accredited regional nonprofit 501(c)(3) land trust dedicated to permanently protecting the natural resources of northwest North Carolina. Working in partnership with landowners and local communities, BRC conserves land with agricultural, cultural, recreational, ecological, and scenic value and has permanently protected over 25,000 acres across its sevencounty service area. BRC currently monitors more than 180 conservation easement properties and manages over 25 preserves totaling approximately 15,700 acres. Our stewardship work ensures that these special places are protected forever.

Position Summary

BRC seeks a mission-driven, detail-oriented Stewardship Associate to support the organization’s land stewardship program. This position works closely with the Director of Stewardship to assist with conservation lands monitoring, landowner communications, stewardship documentation, and land management activities on BRC conservation lands. The Stewardship Associate will also be responsible for organizing and managing teams of regular and short-term stewardship volunteers. This position plays a vital role in ensuring BRC meets Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices, Accreditation requirements, and fulfills its perpetual stewardship obligations.

Key Responsibilities

● Conservation Lands Monitoring: Assist with annual monitoring of BRC conservation easements and preserves including in-person and remote monitoring.
● Landowner Relations: Assist in maintaining positive working relationships with conservation easement landowners through written, phone, email, and in-person
communications and respond to landowner questions and requests.
● Stewardship Documentation: Support the preparation, organization, and maintenance of monitoring reports, photographs, maps, baseline documentation reports, and other
stewardship documentation with a high level of attention to detail.
● Enforcement: Assist with identifying, documenting, reporting and resolving potential violations or encroachments.
● Land Management: Support land management activities on BRC preserves and conservation easements, including invasive species removal, habitat management, ecological restoration and public access and coordinate with government agency and nonprofit partners, contractors and volunteers.
● Recordkeeping: Maintain accurate and well-organized paper and digital stewardship files, database, and GIS records consistent with Land Trust Alliance Standards and
Practices and Accreditation requirements.
● Volunteer Management: Establish and manage groups of regular stewardship/land management volunteers and coordinate volunteer workdays and events related to
various BRC programs.
● Be Part of a Team: Contribute to a collaborative and supportive organizational culture.

Required Qualifications

● Undergraduate degree in a natural resource related field or other degree with significant natural resources coursework and/or experience.
● Excellent verbal and written communication and listening skills.
● Ability to interact with a diverse group of landowners, volunteers, employees, public groups, attorneys, realtors, government officials and others.
● Ability to understand and interpret conservation easements, deeds and other legal documents.
● Demonstrated reliability, with ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.
● Good organizational skills, ability to maintain detailed paper and digital files, records, and photographic documentation.
● Computer expertise with Microsoft Office Suite and database management.
● Must have good field skills, including reading and interpreting maps, boundary surveys, and using mobile mapping applications.

Preferred Qualifications

● One to three years of experience in land trust stewardship, conservation, land management, or related field.
● GIS experience a plus, specifically ArcGIS Suite.
● Familiarity with the High Country region of northwest North Carolina, including its geography, communities, flora and fauna.
● Demonstrated experience organizing and managing volunteers.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

● Work will be performed in BRC’s office when not conducting field work, with occasional opportunities to work remotely.
● 40-hour work week with occasional evening and weekend meetings and events.
● Willing to work outside in all weather conditions and be able to negotiate varied and difficult terrain.
● Ability to operate hand and power tools.
● Ability to lift 50 lbs.
● Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Starting salary is $45,000 annually. BRC offers a competitive benefits package including paid time off and ten holidays, retirement plan, cost-of-living stipend and professional development support.
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter describing their interest and qualifications to info@blueridgeconservancy.org . Applications will be accepted until March 30. Blue Ridge Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive  consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.