Land Steward/Educator

Pound Ridge Land Conservancy (PRLC) owns and stewards 350 acres in the town of Pound Ridge with conservation easements held in partnership with the Westchester Land Trust of another 100 acres. Visit our website for several sample property descriptions.

Position Overview:

The PRLC seeks a Land Steward/ Educator specializing in land and natural resource protection for a unique and exciting position developing programming for a new education center and protected preserve.

The Land Steward/Educator will be hired as an independent contractor, reporting directly to the Board of Directors. Projected start date is June 1, 2011.

Responsibilities:

1. The Land Steward/Educator will be responsible for the development of a viable "conservation project plan" for the Armstrong Preserve to evaluate and target conservation values, actual and potential threats to flora and fauna, including an assessment of the natural resources of the Preserve. The goal of the conservation plan is to ensure continued sound conservation project planning, analysis, land management and monitoring as well as effective land steward administration for the Armstrong Preserve and other protected lands. S/he will have responsibility for 2 projects now underway as well as projects targeted for implementation during the 12-month contract.

2. The Land Steward/Educator will design and implement a structured and sustainable volunteer program at the Armstrong House and Preserve (Education Center) in conjunction with a sub-committee of the Board of Directors. The candidate will assist with growing community and school partners, networking, and community connections to build volunteer opportunities and programming at the Education Center. S/he will participate in the development of outreach and messaging materials, organize meetings and events. The structured volunteer program will include: a) screening for defined volunteer opportunities; b) a series of age and interest appropriate volunteer trainings facilitated by both the candidate and others; c) a program of supervision and, d) a program of evaluation materials and metrics to analyze both outreach efforts and participation.

3. The Land Steward/Educator will be responsible, in conjunction with a subcommittee of the Board of Directors, for overseeing/monitoring the independent energy systems of the residence and for the onsite recycling, composting and rainwater collection programs as well as writing a weekly blog about living off the grid and "lighter on the land." The candidate will assist with tours of the residence, leading guided trail hikes and facilitating outdoor classroom experiences, assist with maintenance and construction projects at the preserves and help execute organization events throughout the year.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate or Masters Degree in natural resources related field such as environmental science, natural resource management/forestry, or 2-3 years equivalent experience in land management, habitat restoration or natural resource management.
• Understanding of current restoration and resource management techniques. Able to identify conservation values and design protection strategies for particular habitats.
• Experience in designing and implementing volunteer or community-based programming, providing supervision and evaluative metrics
• Computer/digital expertise with current word processing, spreadsheet, GIS and GPS programs and equipment, iphoto and Internet savvy. Good Writing skills.
• Excellent organizational and communication/interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively and tactfully present information to various constituencies in alternative educational settings.
• Ability to work independently, set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to meet job requirements with changing seasonal demands, working odd hours, occasional weekends and in adverse weather conditions. Must hold a valid driver's license and current insurance and be comfortable using hand tools. Front or 4-wheel drive vehicle preferred to access residence.

Compensation: Compensation includes a one-year contract salary of $22,000.00, and 12 month rent- free residence in the Armstrong House. The Armstrong House, located in the 43-acre Armstrong Preserve in Pound Ridge, New York, is a newly renovated 1912, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, off-the-grid residence which also houses the PRLC and Land Steward's office. The Armstrong Preserve serves as an education center for land and natural resource protection, conservation research, community gardening, and "living lighter on the land" education, demonstrations, and cooperative initiatives.

Location: Pound Ridge, New York, about 47 miles north of Manhattan.

Application Deadline: April 28, 2011

To Apply:

Please send a résumé, cover letter and writing sample on a subject related to the job opportunity to The Pound Ridge Land Conservancy, Attention Elyse Arnow, at this email address with a copy to Elyse.