Stewardship Director

Genesee Valley Conservancy is seeking an individual to oversee the organization’s stewardship obligations related to conservation easements and nature preserves: working with landowners of protected properties, conducting annual monitoring, baseline documentation and enacting management plans.

Duties

Conservation Easement & Landowner Stewardship (60%)

Work with landowners of properties protected by conservation easement to uphold protections conveyed via these easements.  Respond to landowner inquiries, represent the organization to easement owners, and resolve all easement related inquiries and issues, including assisting buyers of conservation easement properties to ensure they understand the obligations of the easement.

This position will work closely with our part-time stewardship staff to ensure 100% of easements are monitored annually and current condition reports are completed at least every 10 years.

The stewardship director will complete baseline documentation for all newly acquired conservation easements to ensure proper future stewardship work can be accomplished; this task will be assisted by temporary staff and seasonal hires, as needed.

Nature Preserve Stewardship (35%)

Implement management plans for our five preserves by conducting maintenance and coordinating assistance as needed.  This work will include: 

• Twice-a-year monitoring of each preserve
• Carrying out management plan goals for each preserve
• Coordinating with contractors and volunteers to accomplish projects
• Conducting maintenance

Administrative (5%)

This position will assist other areas of the organization, including:

• Preparing for and attending Board and committee meetings
• Fundraising and community events (ex. Agricultural Tour, Oak Tree Race, Nature Series)
• Office assistance

Other

All work will be completed in accordance with organizational policies and procedures and up to standards of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.  Position requires independent and collaborative work.

Required Qualifications

• Physically fit and able to walk up to 4 miles on varied and difficult terrain, with equipment
• Good interpersonal skills including writing, email, phone, and in-person communication
• Knowledge of computers, tablets, cameras, ESRI ArcMap, Microsoft Word/Excel, Adobe Acrobat
• Organized with attention to detail for in-office and in-field work
• Ability to have a flexible schedule and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends
• Must have valid NYS driver’s license and reliable transportation to be used during work

Preferred Qualifications

• Three or more years in a related environmental field
• Experience with Office365 (Outlook/Word/Excell) and collaboration software like Monday.com
• Environmental background including native and invasive species identification
• Agricultural background including farm practices and infrastructure
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in conservation related field
• Experience with non-profits, land conservancies, and Genesee Valley Conservancy, Inc.
• Living within the Genesee River watershed

Location: This position is based out of Geneseo and will require travel throughout the Genesee Valley region (Livingston, Wyoming, Ontario, Monroe, Steuben, Allegany, Genesee, Erie).  Remote work option possible for a portion of this position after introductory period.  In office vs field work split is ~75/25.

Supervisor: Executive Director
Oversees: Stewardship staff, temporary staff (as needed) and volunteers

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours/week (exempt position)

Starting Benefits:

• Salary: $50-60k, based on related experience and qualifications
• Paid vacation (1hr per 26 worked), nine paid holidays, 40 hours NYS Sick Time upon hire
• $4,600 towards a company health plan
• 3% match to company Simple IRA
• Mileage reimbursed at Federal rate
• Training opportunities via webinars and in-person State and national conferences

Conditions of Employment: The Employee Handbook[1] lists all policies, procedures, benefits, and working conditions to be followed as a condition of employment.

Start Date: Position is open until filled.  Ideal start: week of July 1

[1] Employee Handbook will be made available upon request which has a complete detailing of all employment details.