Stewardship Director

Position Summary: York Land Trust seeks a proven leader for the position of Stewardship Director. The candidate will have a passion for land conservation and the environment and will be eager to take on the stewardship responsibilities of our growing organization.

Responsible to: Executive Director

Supervisory Responsibility: Stewardship Assistant, Stewardship Volunteers, Interns

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Management of fee-owned YLT lands: Conduct annual monitoring and reporting of fee-owned lands to ensure compliance; create, update, and implement science-based management plans on YLT preserves; identify and oversee the implementation and management of ecological management projects and related professional contractors on YLT owned lands such as invasive species removal, forestry, restoration project management, trail maintenance and installation, public access, and facility maintenance.
• Management of conservation easement properties: Conduct landowner outreach and annual monitoring, reporting, and enforcement on conservation easement properties; manage easement violations as they arise; create baseline data for new conservation easements and update existing baseline documentation to reflect property use changes.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with diverse partners including property neighbors, landowners under easement, community leaders, government agency representatives, other non-profit organizations, donors, and long-term volunteers.
• Seek grant funding for stewardship projects and handle grant reports and administration.
• Utilize digital photography, GPS, and GIS technologies to prepare natural resource inventories, create project maps, update database and records, and develop public use materials.
• Conduct all planning, permitting, budgeting, and regulatory compliance for land management activities.
• Respond to general administrative duties including stewardship budget development and management, approving expenditures, responding to inquiries, and attending staff meetings.
• Develop annual work plans to guide stewardship activities.
• Help determine conservation values on lands and support acquisition projects as needed.
• Supervise and train stewardship staff, volunteers, and interns to help carry out land management activities.
• Oversee and coordinate with Stewardship Assistant the overall direction and implementation of work with Stewardship Committee and related sub-committees.
• Other duties and responsibilities as directed by the Executive Director, Stewardship Committee, and Board of Directors.

Qualifications:

• Education and experience in natural resources management, land stewardship and restoration, ecology, and outdoor recreation/trails management.
• Excellent naturalist skills: Scientific knowledge of ecosystem functions and potential threats to those systems and proficiency at identifying aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna associated with Southern Coastal Maine.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, relationship building, and public speaking ability.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully plan and manage multiple projects and priorities at the same time.
• Proven success leading and managing volunteers.
• Strong GIS mapping and database skills.
• Excellent ability to work in a team and independently.=
• Practical problem-solving and organizational skills with attention to detail and record-keeping.
• Desire and ability to meet the significant physical demands that the position requires.
• Comfortable working in outdoor settings with the ability to hike on rough terrain in adverse conditions and in remote locations.
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record and access to a reliable automobile.
• Grant writing and management experience preferred.
• Chainsaw and carpentry skills preferred.
• Experience identifying and removing non-native plant species preferred.

Compensation and Benefits: This is a full-time salaried position of $55,000 annually with comprehensive benefits including health and dental insurance, vacation, holiday, sick time, and retirement benefits. Some weekend and evening work are required.

York Land Trust understands that conserving land should be a benefit for all. We are an equal opportunity workplace and are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, ethnic group, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity, or veteran status. We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying on the basis of the aforementioned in any experience with York Land Trust.

How to Apply: Send a cover letter and resume by February 24, 2023 to Search Committee at  View email address on adventurejobboard.com . Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interested applicants are encouraged to apply early.  No phone calls please.

Special Benefits

Compensation and Benefits: This is a full-time salaried position of $55,000 annually with comprehensive benefits including health and dental insurance, vacation, holiday, sick time, and retirement benefits. Some weekend and evening work are required.