Field Steward 1

The Mission of Solano Land Trust is to protect land to ensure a healthy environment, keep ranching and farming families on their properties, and inspire a love of the land.

The work we do goes beyond conserving land; it’s also about ensuring people’s relationship to the land remains strong. We are committed to building a conservation and stewardship ethic in our community by supporting values based on common ground and engaging the future leaders and land stewards who will come after us to take care of this land.

Summary

The Field Steward 1 (reports to the Field Operations Manager):

• Full-time (1.0 FTE), non-exempt position
• Mutually agreed upon daytime schedule with some flexibility; some weekends and evenings with opportunity to telecommute one day per week with prior coordination
• Compensation: $14.00 - $18.00/hour DOE

The Field Steward I works on all Solano Land Trust (SLT) properties (nine properties totaling over 11,600 acres). Field Steward 1 helps to control weeds, to maintain water infrastructure including troughs and restoration irrigation systems, and to maintain trail, with other duties as assigned. Field Steward 1 works under the direction of the Field Operations Manager (FOM), and may be called upon to work on restoration projects or to assist in vegetation monitoring. Field Steward 1 works in close coordination with other Lands Team staff. Field Steward 1 supports the Lands Team in property, facility and equipment maintenance. 

He/she may occasionally lead or supervise temporary employees, volunteers, including prison work crews, or contractors. Field Steward 1 works closely with all Solano Land Trust staff and others to support the Solano Land Trust mission. Field Steward 1 interacts with the public and supports use of all facilities by visiting scientists, user groups, and the general public. 

The Field Steward is accountable for delivering the following results:

1. Support the Lands Team staff in the day-to-day management of SLT’s facilities, properties and infrastructure.
2. Support SLT’s events and public use of properties as assigned.
3. Keep accurate and complete activities logs, including timesheets, maintenance records, monitoring data sheets, property visit records and other forms as assigned by FOM.

Specific Responsibilities

Landscape and Habitat Maintenance (all properties unless otherwise specified):

1. Conduct weed control on all SLT properties using weed eater, tractor mower, chain saw, manual removal, and/or herbicide application by back-pack, ATV, and tractor as assigned by FOM.
2. Under the direction of FOM, repair and maintain all fences, gates, barns and other livestock-related facilities, and repair or maintain trails and trail-related signage and kiosks, ranch roads.
3. Direct concerns from or regarding grazing licensees to Project Manager - Stewardship.
4. Conduct habitat restoration activities as assigned.

Facilities Maintenance:

1. Support Field Operations Manager in scheduled and minor maintenance of off-grid electrical system, well-supplied public water system and the septic system on SLT properties.
2. Maintain and build/repair well-supplied stock water and irrigation systems, including windmills, electric and solar pumps, storage tanks, piping, and troughs at all SLT owned properties.
3. Under the direction of Field Operations Manager, maintain vehicles and equipment, including hand and power tools, vehicles, trailers and other equipment as assigned.
4. Keep accurate records on activities and maintenance logs.

User Support:

1. Coordinate with other staff and user groups and their requirements.
2. Interact with and provide assistance to groups and visitors utilizing facilities.
3. Check in and orient visiting scientists and guests using living quarters, office space, and laboratory space, as needed.

Assist docents with educational programs:

1. Assist staff with fund-raising events.
2. Assist Project Manager 2 with Citizen Science, as needed.

Position Requirements

Education:

• High school diploma or GED Plus two years related work experience.
• Associates Degree or Trade School certification in a relevant field may substitute for one year of experience.

Required Skills:

• Minimum two years of experience conservation, habitat management or agriculture, with experience in maintenance of electrical, mechanical or other systems or related work in the construction or agricultural industry.
• California Class C driver’s license.
• Provide a written record of a maintenance task.
• Strong and reliable work ethic; ability to rigidly adhere to maintenance and management schedules.
• Basic carpentry, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical skills.
• Ability to safely operate a chainsaw and other power tools.
• Ability to drive a four-wheel drive truck with standard transmission.
• Ability to operate a small farm tractor, load it onto a trailer and tow it with a standard truck.
• Willingness to work with chemical herbicides after appropriate training and given appropriate protective gear.
• Willingness to work in all kinds of weather conditions; walk for several miles over rough terrain; and endure biting and stinging insects.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the visiting public, ranchers, volunteers, public officials, contractors, and researchers.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, develop timeframes, and complete tasks within timeframes.
• Ability to lead others in assigned tasks.
• Ability to resolve problems independently as delegated.

Preferred Skills / Knowledge:

• Experience operating All Terrain Vehicles over hilly terrain.
• Experience managing small construction projects.
• Experience with trail construction.
• Experience with chemical herbicides and associated equipment.
• Knowledge of local flora and fauna.
• Interest in learning to identify plants and animals classified as species of special concern.
• Comfortable working around livestock.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to do physical work related to various maintenance and fieldwork activities.
• Ability to walk over uneven, hilly and/or difficult terrain for one to two miles with a 3-gallon backpack sprayer.
• Ability to lift and carry tools and heavy (60-100 pounds) field equipment.
• Ability to drive for local and regional travel.

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time (1.0 FTE), non-exempt position. SLT offers paid sick leave in accordance with the Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014 for seasonal/temporary employees who are employed at least 30 calendar days within a year.

SLT provides a portion of the employee’s health, dental, and vision insurance, matches up to 3% of employee’s contribution toward their 403.b retirement account, and provides eleven paid holidays and two weeks of vacation per year.

Note: After 6 months of employment, this position is eligible to enroll in the process to earn their Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) at the expense of SLT.