Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve Steward

The Nature Conservancy • Patagonia, AZ

40d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve Steward (PSCPS) performs and participates in preserve operations including the maintenance, planning, and coordination of conservation programs for TNC-owned fee lands in the upper reaches of the Sonoita Creek watershed. Areas of responsibility for this position include the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, which totals 878 acres across several non-contiguous parcels. The position also includes providing regular stewardship support to other TNC preserves in the region. The position reports to the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve Manager and is based at the preserve in Patagonia, Arizona. The position involves interactions with nearby agencies such as the Town of Patagonia, Santa Cruz County, and the U.S. Forest Service, as well as a suite of non-profit partners and community groups. This position requires frequent interaction with visitors to the preserve. 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! Duties are anticipated in the percentages below, and may fluctuate based on the business need: Facilities & Equipment Maintenance (Approximately 30%) Monitors and maintains facilities and related systems (e.g., workshop, visitor center, electrical, plumbing). Maintains preserve areas frequented by the visiting public including trails, footbridges, fences, and seating. Maintains tools and equipment, operates heavy machinery (e.g., shovels, weed whips, brush cutters, tractor). Conservation at the Preserve (Approximately 30%) Performs monitoring of ecological processes and human visitation (e.g., streamflow readings, vegetation surveys). Executes ecological restoration strategies that lead to ecosystem improvements; strategies may include use of herbicide, power tools and machinery, and hand tools. Works with TNC Science staff to support and coordinate TNC’s science and ecological research initiatives. Volunteer Work Group Coordination (Approximately 20%) Assists with coordinating stewardship volunteer workdays and volunteer projects. Assists with volunteer orientation, training, scheduling, and appreciation. Public Engagement & Programming (Approximately 10%) Educates audiences about the preserve’s history, ecological significance, and the TNC mission; supports positive experiences for visitors. Supports field trips and group visits. Other (Approximately 10%) Completes miscellaneous administrative tasks such as training, employee objective-setting and self-evaluations, expense reports, and timecards in an accurate and timely manner. Occasional travel within Arizona to visit preserves, meetings, training, etc. (with possible over-night / weekend stays). Occasional travel in U.S. for trainings, etc. Other duties as assigned and directed by the Preserve Manager.

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.
• With forest, wetland, and grassland ecosystems.
• With ecological land management principles.
• Operating and maintaining in a safe and efficient manner various types of equipment and machinery (such as: tractor, lawn mower, chainsaw, UTV, ATV or OHV, two-way radio, or similar equipment).
• Working with computers and related software, such as Windows, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel and Word), “Box”, Teams, web browsers and internet research.
• Youth certified (completes TNC training within initial 30 days of employment; annually thereafter).
• This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program . Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers."
• Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Nice To Haves

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 1 – 2 years related experience in custodial and ecological land management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience coordinating volunteers or entry level staff.
• Ability to recognize plant and animal species to complete preserve management activities.
• Knowledge/understanding of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation/conservation or similar field.
• Facilities maintenance experience, such as: light plumbing, electrical, and trail maintenance work.
• Ability to complete tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Experience working in a metrics driven culture.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Monitors and maintains facilities and related systems (e.g., workshop, visitor center, electrical, plumbing).
• Maintains preserve areas frequented by the visiting public including trails, footbridges, fences, and seating.
• Maintains tools and equipment, operates heavy machinery (e.g., shovels, weed whips, brush cutters, tractor).
• Performs monitoring of ecological processes and human visitation (e.g., streamflow readings, vegetation surveys).
• Executes ecological restoration strategies that lead to ecosystem improvements; strategies may include use of herbicide, power tools and machinery, and hand tools.
• Works with TNC Science staff to support and coordinate TNC’s science and ecological research initiatives.
• Assists with coordinating stewardship volunteer workdays and volunteer projects.
• Assists with volunteer orientation, training, scheduling, and appreciation.
• Educates audiences about the preserve’s history, ecological significance, and the TNC mission; supports positive experiences for visitors.
• Supports field trips and group visits.
• Completes miscellaneous administrative tasks such as training, employee objective-setting and self-evaluations, expense reports, and timecards in an accurate and timely manner.
• Occasional travel within Arizona to visit preserves, meetings, training, etc. (with possible over-night / weekend stays).
• Occasional travel in U.S. for trainings, etc.
• Other duties as assigned and directed by the Preserve Manager.
• Position will execute all duties within the Conservancy’s Policies, Standard Operating Procedures, business practices, processes and guidelines and Business Unit (BU) practices.
• Perform duties under general supervision and established guidelines.
• Make day-to-day decisions within the scope of work assignments and prioritize work independently.
• May work under minimal and/or distant supervision; may make some independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
• Provides ad hoc coverage for the preserve visitor center, including performing opening and closing procedures, and supporting visitor center volunteers.
• Oversight of work groups, consisting of staff, interns, volunteer staff with the support of the Preserve Manager.
• Willing and able to work overtime, longer workdays, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• In addition to required travel to various properties throughout Arizona, occasionally requires travel including overnight throughout Arizona for meetings, staff retreat, etc. and occasionally in U.S. for meetings, trainings, retreats, etc.
• Coordinates with Youth Safety Office to assure compliance with TNC’s Youth Safety Policy when activities may include youth.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pushes, or pulls objects or materials weighing up to 45 pounds.
• Work is diverse and may not always fall under established practices and guidelines.
• Networks with diverse groups, including landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the visiting public to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy programs/preserves.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Other duties as assigned.

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.
• We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

What This Job Offers

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