Seasonal Wildlife Sanctuary Lands Steward

TITLE: Wildlife Sanctuary Lands Steward 

LOCATION: Office at McLane Center – 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH 03301; responsibilities statewide at NH Audubon Wildlife Sanctuaries. See more at www.nhaudubon.org/lands

HOURS: Monday-Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, one-hour lunch. Additional hours may be required as necessary. 35 hours/week

SCHEDULE: Full time, seasonal, non-exempt (hourly paid): 35 hours/week for summer through end of October. An additional 20 weeks of full-time seasonal work continuing into the winter is dependent on grant funding availability. After full time work in the summer, part time seasonal for a longer duration is an option if that is the preference of the applying candidate. 

FUNCTION: This position will support the mission of New Hampshire Audubon, to protect New Hampshire’s natural environment for wildlife and for people, by managing trails, trail infrastructure, and land use within the legal interests for all of NH Audubon’s statewide system of land and property holdings including fee-owned Wildlife Sanctuaries, conservation easements, and cooperative management agreements. 

SUMMARY: The Sanctuary Steward is a versatile position based out of the New Hampshire Audubon headquarters in Concord, NH. Regular travel to some of the 40 wildlife sanctuaries across NH is required (use of an NH Audubon truck will be provided when available). Some overnight camping (mostly in the Monadnock Region and the White Mountains Region of NH) and oversight of volunteers will also be required.

The successful candidate will possess basic trail maintenance skills or an aptitude to learn them, excellent written and oral communication skills, strong leadership abilities, a positive attitude, a good sense of humor, and self-confidence in working closely with/supervising members of the community, NH Audubon staff, and other professionals.

The person in this role will spend many days outdoors (up to 70% of the position duration) and must possess an ability to work outdoors in difficult conditions, that will likely include inclement weather and biting insects. Office time (~30%) is also required for the tasks involved with this position. This includes assistance with the coordination and planning of trail improvement/restoration projects that may involve sanctuary volunteers and community partners, maintaining tools and inventorying, research and data management, and oral and written communication to landowners and other stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL WORK DUTIES:

Manage NH Audubon’s statewide system of land and property holdings.

• Manage and oversee NH Audubon properties with public access accommodations including the creation and maintenance of hiking trails, creation of information resources such as interpretive signs (with the aid of other staff), trailhead kiosks, and visitor guides/brochures to the highest possible standard.
• Maintain Wildlife Sanctuary boundaries.
• Maintain inventory of hand and power tools in the Lands Tool Cache prioritizing safety and effectiveness.
• Manage and mitigate risks appropriately; and make safe decisions.
• Implement an annual monitoring system for NH Audubon’s 29 conservation easements and 40 fee owned wildlife sanctuaries.
• Implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to support wildlife habitats, biological diversity, and maintain ecological integrity at NH Audubon properties.
• Maintain a clean and organized NH Audubon truck.
• Participate in and enhance NH Audubon’s culture of collaboration and philanthropy when working with volunteers, partners, and contractors. Engage with visitors at every opportunity.
• Promote educational and recreational use of NH Audubon properties with Communications and Education teams.
• Describe the meaning and purpose of activities such as trail maintenance, research activities, trail closures, trail reroutes, wildlife management activities, and volunteer projects to members of the public.

Collaborative Leadership & Community Engagement

LEADERSHIP: Reports to the Conservation Lands Manager

WORKING CONDITIONS: NH Audubon’s work culture is characterized by excellent colleagues who share a collaborative spirit, commitment to mission, open communication, and high integrity. Our offices are non-smoking, with both open workspaces and private offices.                                                         

QUALIFICATIONS:

NH Audubon seeks the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don't believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following:

Education: Bachelor’s degree or working towards completion of a degree in Natural Resources, Forestry, Fisheries or Wildlife Biology, Parks and Recreation, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, or related field required.

Experience: 

• 2-4 years aggregate experience in: trail building/maintenance, backcountry skills, light construction, forestry, wildlife/fisheries biology, other natural resources technician positions, sustainable field agriculture, lands maintenance/management or volunteer programming
• Must have map, compass, and GPS expertise. The ability to read deed descriptions and locate ground boundaries is preferred.
• Must have effective leadership skills.
• Must have effective and respectful verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have demonstrated the ability to work effectively within a diverse community.    
• Experience with Avenza, GaiaGPS, ArcPro, associated ESRI tools, and cartographic skills are highly desirable.
• Knowledge of and experience with wildlife habitat inventory, management, and enhancement techniques and an understanding of forestry practices are desirable.
• Building, ground maintenance, and basic carpentry skills are desirable.  

Skills, Traits and Characteristics Necessary for Success: 

• Requires exceptional interpersonal and collaborative skills, attention to detail, superior problem-solving skills, and a high degree of organization. 
• Must have the ability to: prioritize and complete work tasks on time in a complex and dynamic workflow, retain a positive attitude through demanding situations, provide excellent customer service, work and make sound decisions independently, and overall have a professional and courteous manner. 
• Must be proficient in managing files within the Microsoft cloud environment including SharePoint & Office Suite.
• Must be able to complete some basic maintenance and lands management tasks alone as well as work well with others.
• Must have the ability to navigate a vehicle in situations such as areas without service or in case of device malfunction. Knowledge of tool safety, usage, and maintenance as it pertains to multi-use trail surveying, building, and maintenance is highly desirable.
• Invasive plant identification and general common plant identification skills are desirable.
• Ability to assess the needs of wildlife sanctuaries (natural and anthropogenic) is highly desirable.  
• Having a basic knowledge of the region’s geology, phenology, ecosystems, natural history, and geography is highly desirable.

Physical Demands: 

• To perform the essential functions of the position, the applicant must be in a physical condition capable of standing, stretching, bending, walking, lifting, and transporting a maximum of 50 pounds.
• Must have a tolerance to spend time outdoors in variable weather conditions and in the presence of biting insects with the ability to hike over varied terrain for long distances. 
• Must be able to climb stairs, be physically and mentally capable of performing multiple tasks, and function in a fast-paced environment. 
• Must be able to operate small watercraft including canoe, kayak, and motorboat.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• CPR and first aid certification required (training can be provided). 

COMPENSATION: 

• $18-20/hour payrate, commensurate with experience.
• This position is eligible for a NH Audubon annual membership, employee discounts at the NH Audubon Nature Stores, and access to Pro Deals.
• Use of NH Audubon truck during work-related outings.
• Mileage driven with personal vehicle beyond normal commute reimbursed at current federal rate.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

NH Audubon is a welcoming, inclusive organization that is committed to ensuring people of all backgrounds and abilities are welcome and respected.  NH Audubon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, age, sexual orientation or Vietnam Era/Disabled Veteran status, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, NH Audubon complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location where NH Audubon has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. See more at: https://www.nhaudubon.org/lands/