Land Stewardship Associate

~ Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) is a statewide nonprofit conservation organization that works with private landowners and public agencies to protect and restore Iowa’s land, water and wildlife. Since our founding in 1979, our members and staff have protected more than 150,000 acres of Iowa’s natural resources. ~

Position Overview

The Land Stewardship Associate supports the land stewardship program of Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. This employee will join INHF’s team as they work to restore and protect native prairie, oak savanna, woodland, wetlands, trails and other fragile natural areas and additions to public conservation areas.

This full-time, Des Moines-based position reports directly to the land stewardship director and works closely with other land protection team members. This offers a unique opportunity to work alongside INHF’s staff and diverse range of partners.

Responsibilities

The Land Stewardship Associate will have the opportunity to:

• Assist all aspects of hands-on restoration and care of natural areas throughout Iowa, including INHF-owned, private and public lands. This includes assisting in the supervision of 8-10 college-aged students through the statewide summer land stewardship internship, as well as volunteers and other stewardship partners.
• Assist with stewardship activities throughout the year, including prescribed fire implementation, invasive species removal, prairie seed harvest/planting, mowing, equipment operation and maintenance, and herbicide application.
• Assist with INHF’s growing volunteer program as INHF continues to offer restoration and stewardship opportunities for Iowans.
• Assist in the annual monitoring of INHF-held conservation easements as part of INHF's growing conservation easement program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, animal ecology, wildlife biology, botany, forestry, environmental science, landscape architecture or related field.
• 2 years experience in natural areas restoration, fieldwork and/or stewardship.
• Ability to work with hand-held power equipment, tractors, UTVs, prescribed fire equipment, and selective herbicides.
• Experience with the Microsoft Office Suite, ArcGIS and GPS.
• Interpersonal communication skills; public speaking skills are beneficial.
• Natural resource knowledge that should include an understanding of Iowa’s native plant communities and land uses, use of prescribed fire, plant and wildlife identification and management, land conservation and agricultural issues, and the basics of voluntary land protection methods.
• Interest or basic understanding of issues such as local origin native seed, habitat fragmentation, invasive species management techniques, and prescribed fire management, along with an understanding of current agricultural policy, is helpful.
• Professional development in these areas is provided and encouraged.
• This person must be able and willing to travel on short notice and attend evening/weekend meetings and events.
• This position will require overnight stays, away from home, camping and working with the land stewardship interns.
• Additional overnight stays may be necessary as we continue the long-term, year-round care of our lands on a statewide level.
• This position will be physically demanding and require long hours spent outdoors in all types of weather.
• The Land Stewardship Associate must be passionate, well organized, professional, motivated and able to work independently, effectively and dependably with a wide variety of people and INHF partners.
• This person needs to have the ability to budget their time, as well as meet deadlines and track progress on numerous simultaneous projects.

Compensation: The salary for this position will range from $25,000 - $40,000, and includes additional benefits, reimbursed mileage and flexibility as we provide for personal and professional growth. This position will begin in January 2018.

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to upload your resume, references and a cover letter describing how your skilla and experience fit the job description and how your interests align with INHF's mission. Completed application must be received by November 14, 2017.

Attachments must be in PDF or Word format (.doc).

Or mail to:

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

Attn: Kari Walker

505 Fifth Avenue, Suite 444

Des Moines, Iowa 50309