Western Iowa Assistant Land Steward

The Nature Conservancy•Westfield, IA

2d•$20 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The Western Iowa Assistant Land Steward performs and participates in preserve operations including the maintenance, management, and coordination of conservation programs, under the direction of the Western Iowa Land Steward. Tasks include biologically based land management activities including prescribed fire, livestock (including bison) management, and invasive species control; maintenance of preserve infrastructure, tools, and equipment, and preserve and easement monitoring. This position is based at Broken Kettle Grasslands near Westfield, Iowa and covers all western Iowa preserves. The Western Iowa Assistant Land Steward should have experience, coursework, or training in the use of: Various types of equipment including chainsaws, brush cutters, tractors, ATVs/UTVs, skid loaders, and trailers of various sizes. Wildland fire equipment such as drip torches, radios, both UTV and truck mounted skid units. Safe handling of pesticides and equipment such as backpack and ATV/UTV mounted sprayers. Responsibilities include: May monitor work groups consisting of staff, interns, and volunteers covering a wide geographic area. Supervises no staff, but may help plan and direct preserve work groups, including staff, interns, and/or volunteers. Networks with varied groups, including landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members, and the public to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy programs/preserves. May work under minimal and/or distant supervision; may make some self-directed decisions based on analysis, experience, and context. Will work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances. Irregular hours, including nights and weekends may be occasionally required. May require long hours in isolated settings.

Requirements

AS/Technical or vocational degree in science-related field and 1-year related experience in land management activities or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience with natural systems.
Experience in ecological land management standards.
Experience working in a team environment and independently.
Experience operating and/or repairing various types of equipment and machinery in a safe and efficient manner (e.g. chainsaw, UTV, ATV or OHV, two-way radio, experience hauling trailers, tractors, skid loaders, or similar equipment).
Experience performing physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions or in inclement weather.
Must have problem solving skills.
Experience recognizing plant and animal species to complete preserve management activities.
Completion of NWCG Introduction to Wildland Fire Fighter Type 2.
Experience with PC and/or mobile devices, including database knowledge or understanding.
Valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.
Ability to complete tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
Ability to function productively as a member or coordinator of a work team.
Ability to hold crew to high quality work standards.
Communicate clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English.
Ability to interact with preserve visitors and to convey basic preserve information.

Nice To Haves

1 – 2 years related experience in custodial and ecological land management, natural resources management, biology, environmental sciences, and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Must obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g., First Aid, CPR, and pesticide application).
Knowledge/understanding of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation/conservation or similar field.
Ability to complete the moderate WCT (Work Capacity Test) for fire qualifications (two-mile hike within thirty minutes carrying a twenty-five-pound pack).
Working knowledge of ArcGIS Pro or other GIS-based mapping program.
Working knowledge of common software applications (Word, Excel, Web browsers).
Possession of a commercial drone license or cdl a plus.
Some experience managing volunteers or entry level staff.
Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.

Responsibilities

Performs and participates in preserve operations including the maintenance, management, and coordination of conservation programs.
Conducts biologically based land management activities including prescribed fire, livestock (including bison) management, and invasive species control.
Maintains preserve infrastructure, tools, and equipment.
Monitors preserves and easements.
May monitor work groups consisting of staff, interns, and volunteers covering a wide geographic area.
May help plan and direct preserve work groups, including staff, interns, and/or volunteers.
Networks with varied groups, including landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members, and the public to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy programs/preserves.
Works under minimal and/or distant supervision; may make some self-directed decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
Works in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
May require irregular hours, including nights and weekends.
May require long hours in isolated settings.