Aravaipa Canyon Preserve Steward

The Nature Conservancy • Willcox, AZ

4d • $36,800 - $39,360 • Onsite

About The Position

The Aravaipa Canyon Preserve Steward (ACPS) performs and participates in construction and maintenance of Preserve buildings, infrastructure, and equipment, assists with restoration projects, manages livestock, provides guest services, monitors land, water, flora and fauna, and may work with other Conservation staff as part of a team at other Arizona preserves. Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. We’re looking for someone who is passionate, motivated problem-solver. Come join TNC and apply today! ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Required to live on-site; housing provided by TNC. The Aravaipa Canyon Preserve Steward implements preserve stewardship, including general operation and management, guest services, movement and handling of livestock, repair and maintenance of buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure, and land management activities. The ACPS works in any and all parts of the Aravaipa Ecosystem, including alone, in the rugged backcountry and wilderness, horseback, and afoot. They live and work in a remote, rural location. They must be self-reliant, comfortable in all weathers, physically and mentally capable of navigating through remote backcountry and negotiating rough terrain. They must be able to operate tools and equipment common to farms and ranches and improvise solutions to unanticipated problems in the field. Duties are anticipated in the percentages below, and may fluctuate based on the business needs: Land Management, 50% Implement preserve management plans as directed, which may include fire, weed, livestock grazing, and trespass control. Monitor land and water, including fee land, conservation easements, streamflow, well depths, range conditions, and wildlife habitat. Assist in monitoring flora and fauna including sensitive species, and exotic species. May assist with prescribed fire, fire prevention, and fuels management activities. Control of exotic fish and wildlife species and exotic vegetation. Boundary posting and sign maintenance. Care, feeding, wrangling, movement, transport, and handling of livestock, including horses and cattle as directed. Implement native grass farming operations to include planting, irrigating, harvesting, baling, and transporting hay. Operates, transports, maintains, and repairs vehicles, farm implements, and other equipment, such as tractor and chainsaw. Maintenance, 30% Building maintenance (painting, plumbing, electrical, yard maintenance, etc.). Land/trail maintenance (remove fallen trees, road repair, mowing, vegetation clearing, etc.). Equipment maintenance (oil change on tractor, etc.). Building, installation, repair, and maintenance of infrastructure such as fencing, wells, waters, pipelines, roads, etc. General Public Activities, 10% Guest services including housekeeping of cabins and guest house as needed. Coordinate with Manager to lead field trips and volunteer stewardship workdays. Open and close the preserve as needed. Weekly trespass patrol of Aravaipa Canyon Road from Headquarters to East Trailhead. Administration, 10% Data collection and accurate and timely completion of data sheets, field notes, timesheets, monitoring reports, and expense reports. Maintain accurate Preserve records using a database, PC or mobile device. Inputs data into databases for monitoring information such as stream flow, rare species, and precipitation. May create and compile GIS information and databases for the Aravaipa watershed and greater Galiuro Mountain complex.

Requirements

• AS/Technical or vocational degree in science-related field and 1-year related experience in custodial and ecological land management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with natural systems.
• Experience in ecological land management principles.
• Experience operating and/or repairing various types of equipment and machinery. (e.g., lawn mower, chainsaw, tractor, GPS device, UTV, ATV or OHV, etc.).
• Must be able to obtain related licenses and/or certifications as required (e.g., First Aid, CPR, herbicide application, etc.).
• Youth certified (completes TNC training within initial 30 days of employment; annually thereafter).

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science degree in natural resource, agriculture, or related field.
• 1 – 2 years related experience in custodial and ecological land management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• General experience in agriculture or land management gained through working on a farm, ranch, or remote field station (including working with livestock such as cattle and horses).
• General experience in construction, landscaping, building maintenance, excavation, or similar work including troubleshooting and solving basic electrical wiring, plumbing water systems, building fence, and/or other mechanical systems.
• Demonstrated ability to live, work, and navigate, alone, in remote or backcountry areas unsupervised for several days at a time.
• Ability to recognize plant and animal species to complete preserve management activities.
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Web browsers)
• Experience supervising volunteers, interns, or entry level staff.
• Knowledge/understanding of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation/conservation or similar field.
• Ability to accurately complete tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
• Wilderness First Aid or basic First Aid Training
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English.
• Experience working in a metrics driven culture.
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.

Responsibilities

• Implement preserve management plans as directed, which may include fire, weed, livestock grazing, and trespass control.
• Monitor land and water, including fee land, conservation easements, streamflow, well depths, range conditions, and wildlife habitat.
• Assist in monitoring flora and fauna including sensitive species, and exotic species.
• May assist with prescribed fire, fire prevention, and fuels management activities.
• Control of exotic fish and wildlife species and exotic vegetation.
• Boundary posting and sign maintenance.
• Care, feeding, wrangling, movement, transport, and handling of livestock, including horses and cattle as directed.
• Implement native grass farming operations to include planting, irrigating, harvesting, baling, and transporting hay.
• Operates, transports, maintains, and repairs vehicles, farm implements, and other equipment, such as tractor and chainsaw.
• Building maintenance (painting, plumbing, electrical, yard maintenance, etc.).
• Land/trail maintenance (remove fallen trees, road repair, mowing, vegetation clearing, etc.).
• Equipment maintenance (oil change on tractor, etc.).
• Building, installation, repair, and maintenance of infrastructure such as fencing, wells, waters, pipelines, roads, etc.
• Guest services including housekeeping of cabins and guest house as needed.
• Coordinate with Manager to lead field trips and volunteer stewardship workdays.
• Open and close the preserve as needed.
• Weekly trespass patrol of Aravaipa Canyon Road from Headquarters to East Trailhead.
• Data collection and accurate and timely completion of data sheets, field notes, timesheets, monitoring reports, and expense reports.
• Maintain accurate Preserve records using a database, PC or mobile device.
• Inputs data into databases for monitoring information such as stream flow, rare species, and precipitation.
• May create and compile GIS information and databases for the Aravaipa watershed and greater Galiuro Mountain complex.

Benefits

• TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree