Stewardship Technician Job Description 

Details of Employment: 

Job Title: Stewardship Technician (2 positions) 

Department: Stewardship 

Supervisor: Preserve Steward 

Location: Albany, NY  

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt 

Classification of Position: Full-time, Seasonal 

Dates of Employment: March 23, 2026 – November 30, 2026 (36 weeks) with potential extension 

Compensation and Hours Per Week: $18.00/hr., 37.5 hours per week 

Housing: Limited housing may be available as a taxable benefit  

Date Prepared: January 27, 2026 

About the Albany Pine Bush Preserve: 

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission (APBPC) is a public-private partnership created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP) and provide the public with educational and recreational opportunities. The Management Plan for the Albany Pine Bush Preserve guides all aspects of creating and managing the preserve. 

The 3,400+ - acre APBP, located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch-pine scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary, fire-dependent ecosystem provides habitat for many plants and animals, including more than 20 percent of New York State’s wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, such as the endangered Karner blue butterfly. The APBP is a National Natural Landmark, Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Site, National Recreation Trail Site, a New York State Unique Area, Birding Trail Site and Bird Conservation Area, and a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area. Characterized by rolling sand dunes and over 20 miles of trails, the APBP offers visitors with a variety of interests many recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing.  

As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center at 195 New Karner Road, Albany, is a “green” certified interpretive center where visitors come to understand why the Pine Bush is rare and special. This unique destination provides for exciting exploration where learning comes naturally through interactive exhibits, an outdoor Discovery Trail, and numerous programs on the ecology, natural history, cultural history and management of the Pine Bush. 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

As a Stewardship Technician, you will help further the mission of this amazing place. 

Stewardship Technicians at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP) are tasked with many of the day-to-day conservation, restoration, and visitor experience activities that need to be done across the APBP. Essential to preserve upkeep and operations, Stewardship Technicians are a critical part of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve team. 

The Stewardship Technician position offers a unique opportunity to work in some of New York’s rare and distinct ecosystems. 

Stewardship Technicians are expected to perform: Native seed collection, invasive species removal, trail maintenance work, erosion control, and boundary posting/maintenance.  Other activities include facility/equipment maintenance, tree planting, leading volunteer groups, GPS/GIS work, firebreak prep, data entry, and trash removal.  Once qualified, stewardship technicians will assist with prescribed fire operations, which include day of burn prep, ignition, control, suppression, and mop-up.  

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Bachelor's degree related to natural resource management, conservation biology, or ecology. Equivalent experience in related fields can substitute for a degree. 
• Experience and/or interest in land management, preserve management, conservation, restoration and prescribed fire 
• Ability to operate various types of tools and equipment, such as power and hand tools, brush cutters, ATVs, tractors, and skid steers in a safe and efficient manner 
• Experience operating chainsaws, official training/certification is highly desirable 
• Willingness to receive prescribed burning training and participate in prescribed burning 
• Willingness to receive herbicide applicator training and to apply herbicides  
• Ability and willingness to perform difficult physical work for extended periods, under adverse conditions and in various extremes of weather 
• Plant identification skills 
• Excellent physical conditioning and the ability to complete the arduous level work capacity test for prescribed burning/wildland fire operations (https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-03/Work-Capacity-Test-brochure.pdf) 
• Ability to use maps, GPS, GIS, and aerial photos; ability to orient oneself in the field 
• Valid state or international driver’s license, experience with towing trailers is a plus 
• Ability and willingness to work occasional weekends 
• Experience with computers, ArcGIS Pro, and Avenza software 
• Willingness to perform a variety of tasks, both in the office and in the field 
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work in both group settings, and independently 
• Innovative critical thinking skills, ability to solve problems in the field 
• Ability to follow instructions from supervisors and colleagues 
• Ability to communicate effectively 
• First aid/CPR training and certification is desirable 

APBPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

APBPC does not discriminate in its employment opportunities or practices on the basis of an individual’s actual or perceived race, color, sex, national origin, ethnicity, hairstyle and hair texture, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health decisions, gender identity, transgender status, genetic information/predisposition or carrier status, age, religion, creed, domestic violence victim status, and any other classification protected by federal, state or local law. 

APBPC is an at-will employer. 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of APBPC for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.