The Nature Conservancy-posted 4 days ago
$21 - $23/Yr
Entry Level
Onsite

The Oregon Stewardship Assistant is an entry-level, seasonal position starting March 16th, 2026 and ending November 27th, 2026. The stewardship assistant will spend time in three Oregon geographies and will work with TNC stewardship staff to perform operations, maintenance, and monitoring of several important conservation sites in Oregon. The stewardship assistant will conduct general preserve stewardship duties, while also supporting priority projects for each site and developing their conservation and stewardship skills. This position will work under the supervision of an experienced steward performing field tasks such as fence and infrastructure maintenance, invasive plant monitoring and control (including herbicide use), vegetation monitoring, wildlife surveys, prescribed fire preparation, prescribed fire implementation, trail work, and data collection. The stewardship assistant will also assist with site, equipment, and facilities maintenance and repair. They will maintain and preserve records using a computer or mobile devices. The stewardship assistant will work in the field and office alongside TNC staff, partners, and volunteers, including youth volunteers, while also working independently at times. They may interact with visitors from the public hiking on trails and enforce preserve use guidelines. This position will work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances which require considerable physical exertion. Housing is provided free of charge, though the value of housing will be included as non-cash taxable income in Eugene. Limited overnight travel to TNC Oregon preserves is expected and will be based on planned field activities of TNC Stewardship staff. Columbia Basin Program From March 16th to June 14th, 2026, the Western Oregon Stewardship Assistant performs and participates in preserve operations, maintenance, and monitoring primarily at the Boardman Conservation Area (BCA) near Boardman, Oregon. The BCA is a 23,000-acre grassland and shrub-steppe property managed by TNC to provide habitat for sensitive species. The primary objective at the BCA is to protect and improve native plant communities and their associated wildlife species. The stewardship assistant will conduct stewardship duties, including but not limited to infrastructure maintenance, vegetation monitoring, invasive plant treatment, and wildlife surveys at the BCA as well as other preserves in north-central Oregon, which will require some overnight travel. The position requires living in shared housing, provided free of charge by TNC in Ione, Oregon, a small rural community. Oregon Coast Preserves From June 15th to August 16th, 2026, the stewardship assistant will be based on the Oregon Coast. The primary duties will occur in the field at the Kilchis Estuary Preserve, a Sitka spruce swamp restoration site near Tillamook, Oregon. While stationed in this region, occasional work will occur at the Cascade Head Preserve, a coastal prairie ecosystem supporting native and rare species near Lincoln City, Oregon. Access to work sites on that Preserve involves a moderately strenuous 4-mile round trip hike with 600 ft of elevation gain at a minimum. Projects will include vegetation monitoring, trail work, brushcutting, and invasive species treatments. Accommodations are offered free of charge at a federal partner’s shared housing facility. Willamette Valley Preserves From August 17th, 2026 to November 27th, 2026, the stewardship assistant will be stationed in Eugene, Oregon and assist with project priorities at multiple sites in the south Willamette Valley. Primary duties will occur in the field at Willow Creek Preserve and Coburg Ridge Preserve. Stewardship work includes management of wet and upland prairie and oak woodland and savanna plant communities, with a particular focus on prescribed fire burn unit preparation and implementation. Additionally, the stewardship assistant will travel to other properties as needed. Occasional work at the Cox Island Preserve near Florence, Oregon will involve travel by boat to a high-quality tidal marsh for invasive species surveys and treatments. Fee and Conservation Easement monitoring will occur at multiple additional properties across western Oregon. Private lodging accommodations are provided at the Eugene office, which is shared with other TNC staff. Lodging is provided free of charge, though the value of housing will be included as non-cash taxable income.

  • fence and infrastructure maintenance
  • invasive plant monitoring and control (including herbicide use)
  • vegetation monitoring
  • wildlife surveys
  • prescribed fire preparation
  • prescribed fire implementation
  • trail work
  • data collection
  • site, equipment, and facilities maintenance and repair
  • maintain and preserve records using a computer or mobile devices
  • enforce preserve use guidelines
  • High school diploma or GED and 1-year related training, work or volunteer experience in outdoor field work, land management, environmental education, public outreach, or related fields or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Experience recognizing plants and/or animals.
  • Experience following instructions from colleagues/coworkers/team members.
  • Experience conducting physical labor with various types of hand and power tools.
  • Ability to complete NWCG fire fighter type 2 training and arduous pack test (3-mile hike with 45-pound pack in 45 minutes).
  • Lived experience working with Indigenous communities, multi-lingual skills, and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
  • Experience working with or knowledge of natural systems, such as shrub steppe, perennial grasslands, tidal wetlands, prairies, oak woodlands, and savannahs.
  • Current CPR/First-Aid certifications and/or willingness to obtain certifications during onboarding.
  • Valid Drivers License
  • health care benefits
  • flexible spending accounts
  • 401(k) plan including employer match
  • parental leave
  • accrued paid time off
  • life insurance
  • disability coverage
  • employee assistance program
  • other life and work wellbeing benefits
© 2024 Teal Labs, Inc
Privacy PolicyTerms of Service