Land Steward

Friends of Rye Nature Center (FRNC) is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to provide environmental education, encourage conservation, and support community access to nature. FRNC is seeking an enthusiastic Land Steward who can create a park landscape which promotes engagement and education as well as forest stewardship. The Land Steward’s time will be split between park stewardship, ecological restoration, and educational program support.

About Rye Nature Center

The Rye Nature Center is a 47-acre wildlife preserve in the heart of Rye, NY. The preserve features a diverse array of habitats, including oak and pine barrens, granite outcrops, ponds, floodplain forest, and over two miles of hiking trails. FRNC’s programs encourage the protection of our natural resources and promote environmental awareness in Rye and the surrounding communities. The Nature Center provides over 40,000 experiences annually. For more information about Rye Nature Center, please see our website: https://www.ryenaturecenter.org/

About You

This position requires 2-3 years of prior park management or land stewardship. For those interested in expanding their expertise in restoration, forestry, park beautification, and public engagement, this is a great opportunity to do so. You will be in the field 75% of the time which will often include supervising seasonal land stewards and interns. This position is well suited for those looking to improve land management and people management skills. The Land Steward reports to and receives guidance from the Director of Conservation but will often work independently as they complete projects. They will also be asked to create their own restoration and trail maintenance projects throughout the year. This position will be the “in the field” point of contact for the Conservation Director. The person in this role should be self-motivated, independent, and comfortable assessing opportunities for new projects.

Primary Duties

Conservation and Restoration (45%)

• Implement special site projects related to environmental stewardship.
  • Design and implement forest restoration and ecological plantings.
  • Determine areas of immediate need in the park.
  • Tackle most pressing invasive species management and deer protection measures.
  • Conduct in-house scientific research such as water quality monitoring and citizen science.
  • Maintain understory trees and shrubs from previous plantings.

Park Stewardship (30%)

• Maintain a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable space for an engaging visitor experience through maintenance of trails, kiosks, signs, and other infrastructure.
  • Wood chip, line, and mark trails for clear walking paths for visitors.
  • Work with the Director of Conservation to mitigate social trails.
  • Identify and mitigate potential hazards to program participants visitors.
  • Serve as a point person for storm and snow clean-up.
  • Respond to needs for repairs or maintenance of the Nature Center building, outbuildings, and tools.
  • Maintain trails, gardens, and lawn areas.

Program Support (25%)

• Supervise daily tasks for a summer staff team of up to 8 part-time employees.
• Manage individual volunteer groups for including trash clean up and invasive removals.
• Support the annual spring conservation internship program for high school students.
• Prepare the site for fundraisers and special events occurring at the facility.

Qualifications

Required:

• 2-3 years of prior successful professional experience working in a nature center, park, or similar setting.
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, forestry, ecology or related field, or comparable experience.
• An eye for creating visually appealing, welcoming park spaces and experience working on restoration projects.
• Experience with Arc GIS.
• Enthusiastic about working outdoors in varying weather conditions on tasks that may be physically strenuous. Ability to lift 50 pounds and walk the grounds daily.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to provide direction, problem solve independently, and ask questions as needed.
• Experience working in invasive species management, natural landscaping, trail construction, forestry, gardening, or similar field. Experience using equipment such as lawn mowers, weed whackers, and hand tools.
• Knowledge and/or experience with land management concepts and techniques related to ecological restoration, forestry, and/or passive recreation.
• Strong project and time management skills.
• Comfortable working in an educational setting.
• Commitment to conservation and FRNC’s mission.
• Certifications or the willingness to attain in First Aid, Adult and Child CPR, and EpiPen administration.
• Chainsaw safety certification (such as Game of Logging) and/or experience with tasks such as clearing downed trees from trails.

Compensation and Benefits

• 11 Holidays and up to 10 additional days off a year due facility closure period.
• 12 days of personal time off (PTO).
• Medical insurance for employees and their children.
• Fully paid dental and vision insurance premiums.
• Employer sponsored 401(k) plan with a 6% match and immediate vesting.
• This is a year-round, full-time position and offers health, dental, and vision benefits and a retirement savings plan. The salary range for this position is $55,000 – $65,000 per year.

EEO Statement

The Center is an equal employment opportunity employer and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, age, religion, pregnancy, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, veteran status, and marital status, as well as any other category protected by federal, state, or local laws. All such discrimination is unlawful and all persons involved in the operations of the Center are prohibited from engaging in this type of conduct. We encourage all to apply.