Senior Associate, Conservation

National Audubon Society•Dayton, OH

1d•$27 - $29

About The Position

The Senior Associate, Conservation supports Aullwood Audubon through a variety of responsibilities related to animal care, land management, and community building, primarily through volunteer engagement. Duties include maintaining grounds and facilities through tasks such as invasive plant removal, mowing, planting, pruning, pest control, snow removal, and trail upkeep. This role also oversees livestock care with daily feeding, watering, welfare checks, and stall cleaning, as well as maintaining tools and equipment like chainsaws, trimmers, and other hand tools. Additionally, this position will work with the Volunteer Coordinator to assist in coordinating land stewardship and farm volunteers. They will assist with community building, public outreach and stewardship activities, as well as supporting the development and implementation of the Ohio Centers’ conservation plans.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in agricultural studies, natural resource management or related field.
3 to 5 years of experience with farm animals/farm equipment or land stewardship and conservation. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
Experience safely operating a wide variety of equipment, including but not limited to tractors, zero-turn mowers, chainsaws, hand and power tools, and other related equipment.
Knowledge of safety practices and occupational hazards associated with farm operations and the ability to rectify safety concerns quickly.
Willing and able to be chainsaw certified once hired.
Willing and able to obtain Ohio herbicide applicator license, if requested.
Excellent interpersonal skills and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
Demonstrated organizational and time-management skills.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Willingness to work flexible hours when needed, including weekends, holidays, evenings and during off-hour emergency situations.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license as operating Audubon vehicles is a requirement of this role to perform essential functions.
Ability to lift up to 80 lbs regularly, traverse over uneven ground, and work outside in extreme temperatures and inclement weather with or without accommodation.
Competent using Microsoft Office Suite, Field Maps, ArcGIS, Asana, and other computer programs as needed.
Knowledge and commitment to conservation of birds and other wildlife and their habitats.
Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.

Responsibilities

Ensure care of farm animals, such as standard and specialty feeding processes, watering, turning out and bringing in, creating animal enrichment opportunities, daily cleaning of stall and bedding, and basic medical care and treatment following veterinarian direction and advice.
Work toward conservation objectives of Audubon’s Working Lands strategies at Aullwood, including tree removals, grassland conservation, invasive species removals, etc.
Maintain all feed and medical inventories for all animals onsite, as well as herbicide and land management supply inventories.
Order and maintain animal supplies such as feed, supplements, feeding equipment, bedding, hay, and medications.
Schedule veterinary appointments, hoof care schedules and bi-annual welfare checks.
Assist with the coordination of episodic and long-term volunteers, lead volunteer workdays, and determine appropriate tasks while overseeing their on-site work.
Coordinate and train staff and volunteers in both animal care and conservation practices as needed.
Update standard operating procedures (SOPs) throughout the year, as directed by supervisor.
Contribute to the generation of earned revenue through the sale of farm products and Native Plant Sale.
Under direction of supervisor, coordinate Aullwood’s Native Plant Sale, including the selection and procurement of native species to be sold from a variety of vendors, creating and maintaining the Plant Sale Catalog, ensure vendor delivery dates and payments, event set up and break down and other tasks as assigned.
Assist with other Aullwood special events and festivals and the cultivation of supporters such as volunteers, donors, members and others.
Develop and nurture partnerships by representing Aullwood at partner meetings and effectively communicating insights, updates, and feedback to the Conservation team.
Coordinates the sale and acquisition of livestock as well as the transportation of meat animals to and from slaughter/butcher, if necessary.
Coordinate the maintenance/management, if in operation, bee hives, greenhouse, gardens and other related projects.
Keep facility neat and clean at all times, including sweeping aisles, dusting cobwebs, dusting fans, etc.
Maintain heating lamps, heated waterers, hay nets and feeders and similar equipment or replace when necessary.
Operate Aullwood vehicles and equipment safely while following local and state laws and Audubon procedures for their use. Equipment and vehicles include but are not limited to: vans, pickup truck and trailer(s), tractor (with appropriate implements), and gators to perform various land management, grounds maintenance, and farm tasks both off and on property.
Under the director of the Conservation Manager, support the Facilities/Maintenance team to perform landscaping duties such as weed removal, planting, mowing; snow removal, including shoveling walks and driveways; bush hogging fields, fence repair, etc.
Assist with, as needed, grounds maintenance such as the removal of fallen trees, turning and moving mulch and spreading manure.
Conduct routine trail maintenance and oversee trail improvement projects.
Coordinate routine pasture fencing inspections and ensure they are safe and secure.
Support in the stewardship and restoration of Aullwood’s woodlands, wetlands and agricultural grasslands as directed.
Ability to assist with off-hour emergency situations such as escaped animals and snow removal
Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.
Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.
Maintains and fosters culture of safety.
Other job-related duties as assigned.