Stewardship Coordinator:

The Huyck Preserve in Rensselaerville, NY seeks a Stewardship Coordinator (SC) to manage its land protection and resource management operations. The SC is a fundamental part of the Preserve’s team of year-round staff and plays a significant role in fulfilling the organization’s conservation mission. The SC is responsible for current projects related to land management and land protection and is encouraged to take initiative on new opportunities related to the organization’s strategic goals for conservation. This full-time, non-exempt position reports to the Executive Director of the Huyck Preserve.

The Organization:

The Huyck Preserve is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and accredited land trust encompassing 2,000+-acres of protected land in Rensselaerville, New York. Our mission is to preserve the natural beauty of the Rensselaerville Falls, the watershed of Lake Myosotis and surrounding lands; to conduct long-term research on natural systems as part of a global effort to understand and protect the Earth’s biodiversity; and to increase appreciation of this effort through innovative, field-based educational programs for students, teachers, and the community. For more information, please visit www.huyckpreserve.org.

Job Responsibilities:

Land Protection and Stewardship

• Overseeing invasive species monitoring and management through executing and refining the Huyck Preserve’s invasive species management and monitoring plan
• Maintaining the Preserve’s GIS mapping capabilities and creating maps relevant to its mission and program areas
• Coordinating with the Buildings and Grounds Supervisor (BGS) in the maintenance and enhancement of the Preserve’s trail system for user safety and enjoyment
• Leading annual boundary inspection and helping evaluate and resolve potential issues
• Performing annual monitoring visit and report for land protected with a conservation easement
• Participating in the prioritization of future land protection projects, and, if additional land is acquired by the Preserve, performing site visits, creating baseline documentation reports, and updating the Preserve’s Land Management Plan
• Training and coordinating seasonal land stewardship staff
• Maintaining and growing a volunteer crew for stewardship activities including trail monitoring and invasive species monitoring and management, and working with the Membership and Outreach Coordinator to plan educational and work days
• Engaging the public in community science through the Preserve’s phenology trail and other potential future environmental monitoring efforts
• Connecting with the public and conservation partners to share information on stewardship and conservation and developing relevant print and online outreach materials
• Identifying and contributing to grant opportunities to increase the Preserve’s conservation and stewardship capacity and participating in other efforts to create sustainable funds for stewardship

General

• Supporting educational programs and public events
• Contributing to team effort by performing other related duties as required

Qualifications and Skills:

The ideal Stewardship Coordinator candidate will possess the following qualifications and skills:

• Completed bachelor’s degree in natural resources, biology, environmental science, or related field
• Commitment to conservation and experience/interest in land stewardship
• Strong knowledge, genuine interest, and keen observation skills related to invasive and native species and their ecology and management
• Demonstrated interest and experience in physical outdoor work
• Expertise in GIS mapping programs like ArcGIS and ArcGIS Mobile Advanced
• Experience with citizen science tools such as iMapInvasives, iNaturalist, and Nature’s Notebook
• Experience/interest in public outreach and volunteer organizing
• Excellent communication (writing and speaking) and interpersonal skills

Other Requirements:

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Takes initiative and thinks critically while also carrying out assigned duties accurately
• Well-organized with excellent time management skills
• Positive, enthusiastic attitude
• Interest in and ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, to navigate rugged terrain, and to carry and operate equipment needed to carry out land management operations
• Some weekend or evening work will be required.
• Use of personal vehicle will be required.
• May be required to drive Huyck Preserve pickup truck
• Experience with and/or willingness to be trained in use of power machinery including chain saws and weed and hedge trimmers
• Must successfully complete a criminal background check and a DOT driving record check before an offer of employment is made

Job Details:

• Full-time, non-exempt position involving approximately 40-hours per week including paid lunch
• Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications; paid on an hourly basis and annualized to $45,000-$49,000 not including any overtime hours worked
• On-site housing may be available
• Additional benefits package