Nature Reserve Steward

Job Title: Nature Reserve Steward

Job Purpose: The Nature Reserve Steward is responsible for ecosystem restoration and adaptive management within the ~170 acres of the park that comprise the Nature Reserve.  Habitats include mature oak/hickory forest, re-created savanna/prairie ecosystems and associated waterways.

Reports to: Park Ecologist

Position Summary:  Perform a wide range of ecosystem restoration and landscape maintenance duties including: invasive and aggressive species management, habitat restoration, native species supplementation, native species maintenance, seed collecting, tree care, forest stand improvement, hardscape maintenance, trail maintenance and litter removal within areas maintained by Forest Park.

Essential Job Functions:

• Understand and apply the necessary management techniques to sustain and restore natural communities
• Supervise Nature Reserve Technician(s), seasonal intern(s), and volunteer staff to accomplish management goals
• Control invasive species through manual, chemical, and mechanical methods
• Increase flora diversity through the planting and maintenance of native plugs, trees, and seed
• Collect, clean, and sow native seeds as needed for restorations
• Improve and maintain trails and habitat edges
• Monitor plant communities and restoration progress
• Assist with formal training sessions and field days
• Use, maintain, and helps develop databases to record management activities and natural resources

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Ecology, Botany, Wildlife, Conservation and 1 year of relevant field work experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job
• Working knowledge of Missouri forest, prairie, savanna, and wetland management
• Ability to identify regional flora/fauna in a field setting
• Knowledge of Microsoft Outlook & Office suite (Word, Excel, Access, and Power Point)
• Experience collecting GIS data to create and manipulate maps using ArcGIS platforms (desired)
• Demonstrated work experience with equipment including chainsaws, tractors, track loaders, chippers, and various other power equipment (desired)
• Ability to exert physical effort for extended periods in performing manual labor in extreme temperatures required.  Ability to frequently move and/or lift up to fifty (50) pounds and carry it a reasonable distance, and occasionally lift and/or move more than eighty (80) pounds. Ability to hear, understand and follow oral and written instructions over radio, telephone and in person. 

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees will be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.

License(s)/Certification(s) Required: 

Valid driver’s license

Missouri Pesticide Applicator’s license or the ability to obtain within 6 months of appointment