Land Steward

Position Description

Full-time, year-round stewardship position on Deer Isle, Maine. Benefits include paid vacation and holidays, a Health Reimbursement Allowance, and IRA contribution. Starting salary: $40-45,000. Position open until filled.

SUMMARY

The Land Steward (LS) will work closely with the Conservation Director (CD) in managing and stewarding fee and easement land owned by Island Heritage Trust. This position reports to the CD, collaborates with IHT’s Summer Steward, committees & volunteers, and works with other partner agencies and organizations on land projects. Occasional evening, weekend work and events may be required. Comp Time will be approved by your supervisor or Executive Director (ED). This position is an excellent opportunity for a motivated stewardship professional who has a love for conservation and a desire to work in our office as well as out in the Deer Isle-Stonington Community. Hybrid work is considered, though this position is primarily in-person.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential functions include, but are not limited to:

  • Property Maintenance
    • Keeping the trailhead and Heritage House kiosks up to date and fresh.
    • Monitoring trail usage and identify maintenance needs.
    • Performing routine trail maintenance such as refreshing trail signage and blazing, mowing and trimming walking paths, clearing downed tree limbs, and restoring structures.
    • Invasive plant identification and management.
    • Maintained property boundaries and boundary markers.
    • Collect and keep records of trail use data.
  • Stewardship Volunteer Management
    • Planning and managing volunteer trail projects.
    • Recruiting and managing volunteers to assist with trail projects and to serve as volunteer trail stewards.
    • Communicate regularly with volunteer trail stewards and track their activity.
    • Tracking volunteer hours by preserve and individuals.
    • Organizing volunteer appreciation events with other staff.
  • Conservation Easement Management
    • Foster positive relationships with conservation easement owners.
    • Handle landowner requests and inquiries in a timely way that is responsive to their needs.
  • Help plan and implement the construction of new hiking trails.
  • Represent the Trust in a positive light during all encounters with the members of the public.
  • Assist in conducting annual monitoring of IHT conservation easements and fee-owned properties in compliance with IHT policy and LTA Accreditation Standards & Practices.
  • Assist with other trail-related projects as directed by the CD.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

  • Willingness to show initiative, flexibility, ability to work with diverse people, with a positive attitude and a sense of humor.
  • Ability to work as part of a team, showing leadership in stewardship matters and assisting in organization development and administration.
  • Possess the ability to translate broad goals into achievable steps and set/manage appropriate expectations.
  • Handle detailed, complex concepts and problems and make rapid decisions regarding management and stewardship issues.
  • Ability to prioritize to plan and meet deadlines.
  • Demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Show an orientation to detail and well-organized work.
  • Demonstrate strong computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), GIS and other Stewardship Software such as Landscape.
  • Have rigorous standards of discretion and confidentiality.
  • Have a willingness to “pitch in” when needed, working effectively on a small staff.
  • Experience writing baseline & current condition documentation, monitoring reports, and other Land Trust related work.
  • Boater’s safety course, boating with engines, and nautical skills are a plus.
  • Willingness and ability to travel as required, including to remote and undeveloped locations either hiking/wading through a variety of conditions or on a boat; must possess reliable transportation (mileage reimbursed), a valid driver’s license, and a clean driving record.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with landowners, the public, partner organizations, and municipal and governmental agencies.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk/hike uneven terrain; sit; and reach with hands and arms for long periods of time both inside and out in the field. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 25 or more pounds. The employee must be comfortable and competent in using heavy machinery and stewardship equipment that may include but not be limited to: chainsaws, weedwhackers, trailers, boats, and others as needed. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Submit a cover letter (including salary requirement), resume, and three references with contact information in one document (PDF) for immediate consideration.

Applications can be submitted in person, by email, or by USPS mail. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. To submit your application, or for questions or more information, contact:

Land Steward Search

Island Heritage Trust
PO Box 42, Deer Isle, ME 04627
adrenga@islandheritagetrust.org

207.348.2455

Island Heritage Trust is a small non-profit, contributing to the well-being of the island community by conserving its distinctive landscapes and
natural resources, maintaining public access to valued trails, shoreline and islands, and by providing educational programming for all ages.