Stewardship Specialist

The Stewardship Specialist will work collaboratively with New Jersey Audubon and partners, and in consultation with the Stewardship Project Director, to advance our mission by developing and implementing habitat restoration projects on both public and private land in southern New Jersey. The Stewardship Specialist I will focus on wildlife habitat restoration projects related to the Forests, Farms, and Watershed Conservation Priorities set forth by the organization. The position’s primary responsibilities will include technical guidance and implementation of a wide range of habitat stewardship and restoration projects, including agricultural best management practices, working lands for wildlife, invasive plant management, wetland restoration, riparian buffer installation, and the creation and management of early successional habitat.   

The Stewardship Specialist will advise both public and private landowners participating in these programs and initiatives with habitat management practices and conservation plan development as well as assisting the Project Director with grant proposals and reports, metric tracking, and management of grant deliverables. The Stewardship Specialist may also serve as the field team leader for Stewardship Technicians and/or Seasonal Stewardship Technicians when conducting field work. The Stewardship Specialist will contribute to other projects to support the department and the organization’s mission and will work collaboratively with New Jersey Audubon staff and partners. 

Major Responsibilities:  

• Works with Project Director to develop and implement habitat restoration plans that include, but are not limited to forest stewardship, invasive plant management, working lands for wildlife, and agricultural best management practices, with a focus on grassland and wetland restoration.  
• In consultation with Project Director, initiates and follows through on landowner outreach efforts and works with a variety of landowners to enhance habitat on a wide range of properties. 
• Conduct on-the-ground management activities, including, but not limited to herbicide application, tree and shrub planting, grassland maintenance, tree thinning, wetland restoration, wildlife habitat projects, mobilizing volunteers and contractor services, and prescribed burning projects. 
• Serves as the field team leader for field staff when conducting on-the-ground management activities. A field team leader directs staff and assigns duties appropriately when in the field, as well as ensures all safety measures and equipment maintenance protocols are followed.  
• Conduct vegetation surveys, tree inventories, rare species surveys, and other monitoring activities as they relate to habitat restoration projects, following existing protocols and recording all data and information into a database. 
• In consultation with Project Director, aid landowners in the development of project applications for federal conservation funding, including USDA-NRCS and US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.   
• Works with the Project Director and other department staff to identify funding sources and prepare project reports and proposals and explores opportunities to advance New Jersey Audubon’s Conservation Priorities. 
• Participates in and organizes outreach activities, including outreach meetings and workshops, presentations, social media posts, press releases, magazine articles, and others.   
• Maintain key relationships with partners, funders, donors, and other contacts. 
• Participate with other New Jersey Audubon staff to adopt a “team” approach towards daily operations at the assigned center and assume additional responsibilities as required. 

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills: 

• B.S. in natural resources or related field with at least two years of experience in natural resource management or other closely related field.  
• Familiarity with local flora, fauna, and characteristic ecosystems of New Jersey. 
• Familiarity with or ability to safely use standard field equipment and experience with or ability to safely use and maintain tools and equipment, including backpack sprayers, brush cutters, chainsaws, ATVs, and planting bars. 
• Experience developing and implementing habitat restoration plans. 
• Familiarity with developing project proposals and report writing is preferred.  
• Willingness to work irregular hours under sometimes difficult field conditions. 
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office, familiarity with ArcMap preferred) to fulfill the job requirements. 
• Excellent oral and written skills, and knowledge of environmental and conservation issues desired. 
• Punctual with excellent organizational, time and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, shifting priorities and meet deadlines. 
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to relate to and motivate a diverse range of people, exercise cultural competence and inclusion, and accept direction and constructive feedback. 
• Motivated self-starter able to work independently in the execution of their responsibilities while collaborating with other staff and organizations with the ability to demonstrate initiative and a positive attitude. 
• Strong professionalism and work ethic with the ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality. 
• Flexibility to adjust hours to meet the special needs of the program and organization.  
• Must have the physical capacity to walk on uneven terrain for long distances while carrying equipment weighing up to 50 lbs. 
• All applicants must live in NJ and have their own transportation, and a valid, clean driver’s license.