Stewardship Associate I

Position Type: Full-time

Reporting: Stewardship Program Director

Location: Charleston, SC

Application Instructions: Please email a cover letter, resume, and three (3) references in one PDF addressed to careers@lowcountrylandtrust.org by January 9, 2026.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Stewardship Associate I is an entry-level position on Lowcountry Land Trust’s Conservation team, working to conserve and protect the Lowcountry of South Carolina. The work environment is dynamic and fast-paced, with a significant number of concurrent projects and responsibilities underway at all times. The Stewardship Associate I works in close partnership with the Stewardship Program Director and other Stewardship staff to ensure conservation easement compliance of protected properties, meet annual monitoring obligation deadlines, and ensure that all stewardship responsibilities are met with the highest level of professionalism.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Monitor and steward a high volume portfolio of protected property interests annually, developing landowner relationships, completing required annual monitoring reports thoroughly and timely, and providing prompt feedback to landowners and Stewardship staff.
• Respond to landowner inquiries and requests in a timely manner and in collaboration with the Stewardship Program Director.
• Maintain up-to-date records on activities occurring on protected lands, including documenting and detailing emails, meetings, phone calls, etc.
• Assist the Stewardship Program Director and General Counsel in effectively and efficiently resolving emergent issues and potential or actual violations on protected properties, in accordance with accepted policies and procedures, and employing high sensitivity and professionalism.
• Engage and educate landowners on stewardship and conservation opportunities, including land or resource management.
• Connect landowners as requested to land management resources and serve as a landowner liaison for aspects of conservation project management, if assigned.
• Pursue continuing education and professional certifications as appropriate and/or as directed by the supervisor
• Assist Conservation staff on special projects or project development as assigned by the supervisor.
• Work with staff on, and actively contribute to, achieving the strategic goals of the organization.

Other Duties as Required:

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work an employee assigned to this position performs. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. All staff members may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time.

Onboarding is in-person, and employees meet in person at least once per month for staff meetings and occasionally throughout the year for staff group events.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree with experience in fields of study such as land conservation, resource management, environmental studies, stewardship, or similar fields.
• Field work experience and the physical ability to travel to remote and undeveloped properties, hike/walk or otherwise travel in a variety of environmental conditions, and be outdoors for considerable periods of time.
• Valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and regular access to reliable transportation.
• Demonstrated strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects, while moving quickly between projects and maintaining thorough records.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to confront challenges with utmost sensitivity and professionalism.
• Detail and goal-oriented, with the ability to exercise independent judgment in completing tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to assess, interpret, and comprehend legal and technical documents.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and partners.
• Familiarity with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and other business software.
• Positive attitude and willingness to accept a challenge.
• Physical ability to sit at a desk with a computer or in meetings for long periods.

Lowcountry Land Trust is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity, and to comply with all federal, state, and local laws that apply to equal employment. It is our policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals, as well as administer any and all personnel actions, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, civil union status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation or identity, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital status, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran, service in the federal or state military, union affiliation, pregnancy or breastfeeding, medical or genetic information, atypical hereditary cellular blood trait, refusal to submit to a genetic test or make test results available to the Company, or status as a qualified individual with a disability, in accordance with applicable laws. The Land Trust also complies with the South Carolina Pregnancy Accommodation Act.

Benefits Summary

Insurance

• Health Insurance
• CoPay Plan with FSA (Flexible Spending Account) option
• Employee premium covered 90% by employer
• HDHP (High Deductible) Plans with HSA (Health Savings Account) option
• All medical costs are paid out of pocket until the deductible is met
• Employee premium covered 100% by employer
• Includes Employer HSA contribution
• Dental Insurance – Employee premium covered 100% by employer
• Group Life Insurance with AD&D ($25,000) – Employee premium covered 100% by employer
• Disability – Employee premium covered 100% by employer
• Optional benefits available – Paid by Employee:
• Health FSA & Dependent Care FSA
• HSA
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Coverage
• Vision Care
• Voluntary Life Insurance

Financial & Retirement

• 403(b)
• Eligibility: Age 21 and works at least 83 1/3 hours per month
• Immediate eligibility
• Up to 6% match after 6 months of employment

Family & Parenting

• Family & Medical Leave
• Hybrid Work Environment (in-office/from home)
• Flexible Hours

Paid Time Off

• Self-managed PTO
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Flexible Summer Schedule

Perks 

• Partial Mobile Phone Reimbursement