Placer Land Trust.
11661 Blocker Drive, Suite 110, Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 887-9222, www.placerlandtrust.org.
Placer Land Trust (PLT) is a private nonprofit land trust incorporated in 1991 and dedicated to working with willing landowners and conservation partners to permanently protect natural and agricultural land in Placer County for future generations. PLT is an equal opportunity employer.
Summary & Scope of Work:
This is a full-time position; 40 hours/week. The Stewardship Assistant assists the Stewardship Manager, Land Manager and other PLT staff with the stewardship of PLT-protected land. 85% of the Stewardship Assistant’s job consists of stewardship of lands protected by PLT, including property and easement monitoring, land and habitat management and enhancement, habitat restoration, invasive species management and volunteer coordination. The remaining 15% of the job consists of other related activities, such as research, mapping and prioritization of property enhancement projects, risk assessment and management, leading volunteer restoration activities, preparation and assisting with tours, correspondence and communications, and other special projects. Hard physical labor is an important part of the job. The Stewardship Assistant will work alone at times, as well as in small and large teams. The Stewardship Assistant will develop successful relationships with numerous conservation partners (landowners, ranchers, volunteers, scientists, school/community groups, etc.). The Stewardship Assistant must travel frequently within Placer County for field work, including significant weekend work. Due to the nature of the work a flexible schedule is anticipated.
Specific Duties:
Specific duties of the Stewardship Assistant include, but are not limited to:
- Assist the Stewardship Manager and Land Manager in real property management.
- Assist in preparing, implementing, updating and overseeing management plans for all PLT-preserved properties.
- Assist the Stewardship Manager and Land Manager in monitoring conservation easements and fee title properties.
- Coordinate and lead the implementation of active land and habitat management activities and projects.
- Assist PLT staff in risk assessment and corrective actions related to adaptive land and habitat management (e.g., fencing upgrades or repair, road repair, fuel load reduction, hazard correction, etc.).
- Suggest, coordinate and lead restoration/enhancement activities on PLT-preserved properties. Activities include invasive species removal, planting of native vegetation, trail building and maintenance, erosion control, etc.
- Assist other PLT staff in creating land conservation agreements, such as conservation and agricultural easements.
- Assist PLT staff in identifying, mapping, prioritizing, negotiating, and protecting land.
- Assist PLT staff in the coordination of volunteers for stewardship (monitoring, management, restoration, etc.) of preserved properties.
- Research, review literature and stay up-to-date on issues related to land management. Attend training and conferences as necessary.
- Other duties that improve the efficiency and success of the PLT stewardship program.
- Participate in PLT’s communications and fundraising activities as directed.
Qualifications:
- Associate’s Degree or greater (preferably in a relevant field such as environmental science, ecology, biology, conservation, land management, range management, ranching, agriculture, etc.).
- One year of experience in land conservation, habitat management, ranch management, or related field.
- Knowledge of local habitats, flora/fauna preferred; willingness to learn required.
- Excellent personal communication skills, including satisfactory written communication skills. Ability to represent PLT well to the public.
- Ability to coordinate efforts of volunteers, independent contractors, and other project staff. Desire to work closely with conservation partners of all ages.
- Ability to work independently and decisively; works on complex projects with little supervision.
- Ability to work safely with herbicide including developing application prescriptions and filing application reports in a timely manner.
- Ability to work safely with heavy equipment such as 4wd vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, tractors, chainsaw, weed-eater, mowing equipment, fencing, hand tools, etc. Must be able to lift 70 pounds safely.
- Ability to work in challenging conditions including heat, cold, wet weather, steep terrain, etc.
- Computer proficiency, including demonstrated ability in ArcView/ArcGIS or Google Earth, GPS technology, Word, and Excel.
- Valid Class C California Driver’s License.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including frequent weekends and occasional early mornings and evenings.
Compensation:
Salary based on experience. Compensation includes paid time off, health insurance and retirement benefits. Business mileage reimbursed.
To Apply:
Send hardcopy or electronic cover letter, resume, and at least one professional reference to PLT Stewardship Manager Jeff Ward by Friday, June 19, 2015. Hardcopies to: Placer Land Trust, Attn: Jeff Ward, 11661 Blocker Drive, Suite 110, Auburn, CA 95603. Electronic copies in PDF or Microsoft Word format to: jward@placerlandtrust.org.