Natural Areas Steward

This position is full time (39 hours) for 10 months and half time (20 hours) for 2 months. Under the direction of the Director of Natural Areas, assist in the oversight of all aspects of the site management, restoration, and protection of on- and off-campus natural areas in support of the Botanic Gardens’ mission. As a member of the stewardship crew, assist in determining natural area management needs, make recommendations, and execute stewardship activities and special projects. Evaluate trail conditions, report hazards, conduct trail maintenance, and respond to emergency alerts. Maintain regulatory and safety signage for on- and off-campus natural areas. Implement programs for site monitoring, invasive species control, and support hazard tree removal and nuisance wildlife abatements. Collect natural resource information, and use GIS to monitor sites, species, or other conditions. Participate in Gardens programs to protect rare and scarce native plants in Natural Areas, propagate native plants of local genotypes, restore them to protected habitats and support research. Provide general support and technical expertise for preserve educational uses and participate in Botanic Gardens’ educational programs. Work with interns, volunteers, student workers, and other staff as a member of the natural areas stewardship crew. Ensure that work is conducted in a safe manner. Substantial manual labor is involved requiring physical fitness, awareness of safety issues, and proper use of pesticides. May be required to report to work outside of the regularly scheduled shift to address Botanic Gardens’ time-sensitive operational needs, snow-removal needs, or to assist with departmental emergencies, or to deal with issues of public safety.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Specify required minimum equivalency for education, experience, skills, knowledge, etc.

POSITION COMPETENCIES/SKILLS: Job related knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that contribute to success.

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• A.A.S degree in natural resources, conservation or related field, or equivalent combination of education and training and a minimum of2 years of relevant experience.
• Broad experience with trail maintenance techniques.
• Ability to identify, report, and address trail and infrastructure safety issues.
• Have and maintain a valid Category 3A, Ornamentals, Shade Trees & Turf and Category 10, Demonstration & Research Pest Control, NYS Certified Pesticide Applicator’s license or obtain within two years of appointment.
• Be willing to work with pesticides and chemicals.
• Knowledge of and skill with GIS/GPS equipment, and good computer skills.
• Have and maintain NYS driver’s license.
• Able to work in a team environment as well as independently to accomplish required tasks and achieve departmental objectives.
• Personable and flexible, possess excellent organizational and communication skills, and take pride in work. Must be able to develop effective working relationships with a variety of people.
• Aware of Natural Area conservation goals, methods and protocols, and be sensitive to Natural Areas preservation and wildlife control issues.
• Willing to support nuisance animal control efforts including lethal methods.
• Knowledge of plant nomenclature and ability to identify a wide range of native and naturalized herbaceous and woody plants.
• Knowledge of natural ecological communities and native plants associated with community types.
• Knowledge of invasive plant species issues and ability to implement treatments for control.
• Experience in the safe operation and use of equipment such as front deck mower, flail and hand mower, tractor, brush hog, string trimmer, tree chipper, chainsaw, and snowblower.
• Proficiency with chainsaw operation to fell and buck trees and ability to support hazard tree abatement program.
• Physically capable of performing the functions associated with this position, and willing to work under varying climatic conditions (heat, cold, precipitation, etc.). Must receive University training and follow fall protection guidelines.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Specify preferred specialized education, field and/or certifications.

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in natural resources, conservation or related field.