Land Stewardship Coordinator

The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, a leading environmental education provider for the Philadelphia region, seeks a passionate and energetic Land Stewardship Coordinator to maintain a thriving and diverse ecosystem on our 365-acre property while overseeing our native plant nursery. This position is full time salaried with a full range of benefits, including vacation, health, dental, vision and retirement. Salary range is $35,000 – $39,000 annually and commensurate with experience.

To Apply:

Please submit your resume, cover letter to Stephen Goin, Director of Land, Facilities and Master Planning at steve@schuylkillcenter.org.

Position Summary:

The Land Stewardship Coordinator supports our mission of inspiring meaningful connections between people and nature, overseeing our native plant program and sales, leading land restoration and stewardship projects, serving as the organization’s expert stewardship resource, managing our greenhouse, leading volunteer stewardship efforts, and monitoring our diverse ecosystem. Weekend and evening work is required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and implement all aspects of Native Plant Sales, including assisting in the development of promotional and customer support materials.
• Oversee sustainable production in the native plant nursery, including ordering of plant material and related supplies, use of proper horticultural techniques, and seasonal upkeep of nursery.
• Coordinate volunteer work sessions for student, corporate, and recurring volunteer groups (such as Native Planters, Greenhouse Volunteers, and Restoration Volunteers) to steward the 365-acre property.
• Collaborate with other departments (particularly Education School groups, Preschool Classes, and Artist Gatherings) to expand land stewardship education through hands-on experiences while benefiting the property.
• Coordinate and train college interns, greenhouse volunteers, groups, and individuals.
• Serve as staff lead on complying with the property’s conservation easement.
• Lead guided hikes and programs in support of the educational mission.
• Provide written material for grants, website updates, blogs, newsletters, and external publications.
• Assist the Director of Land and Facilities with property maintenance and improvement.

Expected Competencies:

• Ample knowledge of southeastern PA’s flora and fauna.
• Experience in nursery management and horticulture.
• Knowledge of ecosystem management.
• Excellent writing skills to aid in grant submittals, publications, and website content.
• Team-oriented with strong interpersonal skills; work collaboratively with fellow staff and ability to communicate in a timely and respectful manner.
• Strong organizational skills to maintain plant inventory and perform project ordering.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. During most of the year, Land & Facilities staff spend the better part of their day outdoors. The employee must be able to:

• Spend multiple hours outdoors in all weather (heat, cold, rain, snow).
• Hike 2-5 miles a day on rough terrain.
• Engage in sustained physical activity throughout the day.
• Lift up to 50 pounds (size of large container plant)

The employee is also regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands and arms to operate pruners, chainsaws, clippers, shovels, and other outdoor tools and equipment; must be able to operate general office equipment like PC, telephone, copier, fax machine, and printer. The noise level in the work environment can range from high to low.

Education, Experience and Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in one (1) of the following areas is required, Master’s degree preferred: natural resource management, forestry, horticulture, and/or environmental studies.
• Minimum of one (1) year’s experience in land stewardship and restoration is desired.
• Must pass background checks and complete all requirements mandated by the state.

The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education is dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law and our core values.