Land Conservation Steward

The Nature Conservancy•Babson Park, FL

3d•$19 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The Land Conservation Steward is part of The Nature Conservancy’s Florida Stewardship and Field Programs Department, which implements and manages conservation fieldwork across Florida and stewards the Florida Chapter’s preserve network. Based at Tiger Creek Preserve, the Steward also works at other Nature Conservancy properties in central Florida, including Venus Flatwoods, Disney Wilderness Preserve, and Saddle Blanket Scrub Preserve. The role contributes to maintaining, enhancing, and restoring threatened and imperiled ecosystems. The Steward conducts land management and restoration in upland and wetland habitats while ensuring work complies with TNC and applicable local, state, and federal requirements. Primary work includes prescribed fire, invasive non-native plant control and monitoring, and maintenance of fleet vehicles, facilities, tools, and equipment. Other stewardship activities may include trail and road maintenance, habitat improvement, fence work, wildlife monitoring, preserve outreach and tours, and volunteer workdays. The position involves physically demanding outdoor fieldwork, sometimes in variable weather, remote locations, and difficult or hazardous terrain. The Steward may work long or irregular hours, occasionally on weekends, and may need to travel on short notice. The role requires a 40-hour workweek and may operate with infrequent supervision, making day-to-day decisions as delegated by a supervisor. The position supervises no staff but may help plan and direct work groups of staff, interns, or volunteers.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and one year of training in a science-related field or related land-management experience.
Experience recognizing plant and animal species.
Experience safely and efficiently operating equipment such as a lawn mower, chainsaw, UTV, ATV or OHV, and two-way radio, or similar equipment.
Experience working in a team environment.
Ability to obtain related licenses or certifications as required, such as First Aid, CPR, or herbicide/pesticide application credentials.
Ability to obtain TNC/NWCG Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2) qualifications, including I-100, L-180, S-190, and S-130.
Ability to meet TNC wildland fire training and health requirements at the arduous level, including walking three miles with a 45-pound pack vest in 45 minutes or less.
Ability to obtain a driver’s license and maintain a good driving record; must comply with TNC’s Auto Safety Program and complete a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a motor vehicle record review.
Ability to perform physically demanding fieldwork and work in variable weather, remote locations, and difficult or hazardous terrain.
Ability to work a 40-hour week; the role may require long or irregular hours, occasional weekend work, and short-notice travel.

Nice To Haves

Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience.
One to two years of experience in land management or a related field.
Experience with facilities maintenance.
Completion of S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws or equivalent.
Ability to follow instructions from colleagues, coworkers, and team members.
Experience using GPS hardware and ArcGIS applications to collect and manipulate spatial data.
Experience working with or knowledge of natural systems.
Familiarity with PCs or mobile devices and databases.
Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and natural resource preservation or conservation.
Ability to complete tasks independently within timelines, frequently without supervision.

Responsibilities

Participate in prescribed and wildland fire activities on TNC preserves and partner lands, using ignition devices, hand tools, fire apparatus, and related equipment.
Control, monitor, and manage invasive non-native species using integrated pest management methods, including herbicide and manual treatments, field surveys, data entry, and reporting.
Assist with pre- and post-burn operations, including fireline preparation, mop-up, patrols, and collection of monitoring data.
Operate and maintain qualified equipment, including 4-WD trucks, ATVs, UTVs, Type-6/7 fire engines, tractors and implements, trailers, pumps and sprayers, backpack blowers, brush-cutters, chainsaws, hand tools, and GPS units.
Assist with maintenance of preserve facilities, public trails, infrastructure, and the shop compound.
Support preserve management, monitoring, habitat improvement, road and trail maintenance, and fence maintenance or removal.
Provide logistical support for outreach events and tours and help host volunteer workdays.
Maintain accurate records and databases.
Help plan and direct preserve work groups, including staff, interns, and volunteers.
Make day-to-day decisions as delegated by the supervisor and perform other duties as assigned.