Land Steward Project Manager

~ 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. ~

Founded in 1986 as the Solano County Farmlands and Open Space Foundation, the group changed its name in 2004 to the Solano Land Trust. Solano Land Trust was established as a result of litigation involving open space advocates, land developers and a municipal government.

This unusual genesis created a board that reflects all sides of land-use issues united in the mission to preserve the agricultural legacy and natural landscapes of Solano County. Using innovative, non-confrontational techniques, SLT has permanently protected 22,161 acres of natural areas and agricultural lands to date. 

Position Overview 

The Lands Project Manager is overall responsible for on the ground management
of Solano Land Trust (SLT) fee title properties. This position coordinates
closely with other staff to manage public access, various habitat improvements
and capital improvements.

The Lands Project Manager supervises the Operations
Coordinator, Field Steward(s), and Rush Ranch Steward and is also the primary
contact for the grazers, contractors, docents, volunteers and others doing work
on our properties. 

The Lands Project Manager is
accountable for delivering the following results: 

• Delivering
  coordinated, efficient and effective weed control at all SLT properties,
  including controlled burns and other vegetation management activities
• Ensuring that SLT
  properties are well-maintained, including public access infrastructure and
  equipment.
• Stewardship
  monitoring of all properties, including restoration sites, habitats and
  rangeland health. 

This position coordinates with Solano County rangers who manage public access at Lynch Canyon. The Lands Project Manager reports to the Stewardship Director and is a fulltime, exempt position. Hours are generally between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm, with occasional nights or weekends.  

Responsibilities 

Property
Management and Maintenance: 

• Develop
  annual and long-range work plans for each assigned property based on adaptive
  management plans, in coordination with other staff.
• Plan, conduct and supervise weed management activities
  to include spraying herbicides, mowing, trimming, burning, and manual removal.
• Conduct and/or oversee prescribed burn program, which
  includes writing plans, coordinating with other agencies, permitting,
  maintaining personal certifications, and maintaining all SLT fire equipment.
• Manage contracts and maintenance agreements with Solano
  County, agencies and stakeholders/partners
• Manage
  road access by telecommunication site users.
• Coordinate
  with partner agencies for property management, including the San Francisco Bay
  National Estuarine Research Reserve, University
  of California Natural Reserve System,
  and Solano County Parks Department.
• Supervise
  maintenance of vehicles and all assigned equipment and facilities. 

Supervision: 

• Supervise Operations
  Coordinator, Field Steward, and Rush Ranch Steward including orientation to
  duties, assigning work schedule, training, and performance review.
• Supervise other field staff, temporary workers,
  convict crews, interns, and volunteers.
• Provide direction and
  oversight to the work of County
  Rangers, as
  appropriate.  Orient to SLT land
  management practices.  Provide feedback
  on performance as requested by County.
• Develop and supervise contracts for work done on
  properties.
• Setup or supervise setup
  for fundraising and volunteer functions on properties. 

Administration: 

• Apply for and administer
  grants to do projects on properties.
• Participate in land management
  team meetings.
• Conduct
  or supervise yearly monitoring activities as needed.
• Negotiate
  and administer grazing leases and coordinate grazing activities.
• Prepare
  and manage property management and capital improvement contracts.
• Prepare
  draft and final reports, invoices, memos, and other documents, as required.
• Complete
  miscellaneous general office duties, such as writing newsletter articles,
  attending general staff meetings, maintaining data bases and other records,
  responding to inquiries, troubleshooting, assisting with updating brochures. 

Habitat Management: 

• Advise / participate in
  planning and accomplishment of restoration projects on properties, including
  mitigation projects.
• Review research requests in coordination with other
  staff.
• Plan, implement and
  evaluate prescribed burns, weed treatment, grazing and other habitat management
  activities. 

User Relations: 

• Establish and maintain good working relationships with
  volunteers, docents and others.
• Work with other SLT staff to enforce rules on all SLT
  properties.
• Supervise or support coordination of day and overnight
  use of facilities.
• Supervise staff or others conducting volunteer workdays
  on trails, structures and habitat restoration. 

Fundraising/Outreach Support: 

• Work with Executive Director and Development Director
  to identify and cultivate potential donors.
• Provide support on SLT programs at fundraising
  meetings.
• Represent SLT at meetings and conferences. 

Qualifications 

Education: 

• Bachelor's
  degree in biology, ecology, natural resources management or related
  field. 

Experience: 

• Five
  years of related experience required, with at least two years in a supervisory
  capacity. 

Required Skills: 

• Ability
  to develop timeframes and complete tasks within timeframes.
• Demonstrated
  experience and knowledge of grazing management, prescribed fire, habitat
  restoration, and vegetation management.
• Ability
  to recognize plant and animal species as required to perform management
  activities.
• Experience
  supervising others in the completion of tasks.
• Experience
  or ability to safely use and maintain tools and equipment, including power and
  construction tools.
• Ability
  to perform physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions or in inclement
  weather.
• Ability
  to obtain related licenses or certifications such as first aid, CPR, herbicide
  application, driver's license.
• Competency
  in using a wide range of computer programs, including databases and GIS.
• Ability
  to interact with the public, volunteers, contractors and others. 

Compensation: Competitive salary based on skills and experience.   

To Apply 

• Please use the email address below to email your resume and a cover letter.
• Be sure to indicate "Land Steward Project Manager" in the subject line.