The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) protects more than 33,000 acres of the region’s undeveloped lakeshores, rugged gorges, rolling forests, and scenic farmlands. The FLLT owns and manages a network of nature preserves that are open to the public and holds conservation easements on properties that remain in private ownership.

The FLLT  focuses on protecting critical habitat for fish and wildlife, conserving lands that are important for water quality, connecting existing conservation lands, and keeping prime farmland in agriculture. The organization also provides programs to educate local governments, landowners, and local residents about conservation and the region’s unique natural resources.

The FLLT has 20 dedicated staff members and more than 200 active volunteers.

Position Summary

The Land Steward will undertake a wide variety of tasks related to the administration, management, and stewardship of FLLT nature preserves. FLLT is currently responsible for the ongoing stewardship of 53 nature preserves totaling just over 6,800 acres, located across the 12-county Finger Lakes region of New York. The Land Steward will spend the majority of their time on nature preserve stewardship activities, and a lesser amount of time assisting with other program areas or general administrative functions. A majority of the Land Steward’s time will be working in the field, but time in the office to prepare and share reports of work completed is also a required part of the duties.

The Land Steward (one of two on staff) will be supervised and coordinated by the FLLT Nature Preserve Manager, with input and program support from the FLLT Director of Stewardship, and will work closely with, and be primarily trained and guided by, a more senior full-time Land Steward already on staff.

The Land Steward must be able to accommodate a flexible work schedule, including occasional work on evenings and weekends, and participate in a variety of FLLT events throughout the year. The Land Steward must also be willing to travel frequently around the region.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, repair, and/or replace existing public access infrastructure such as parking areas, kiosks, trails, footbridges, and benches, and help plan and install new infrastructure. Routine trail maintenance, including cutting grass/weeds with a power line trimmer, is a primary responsibility.
• Support, work with, and sometimes direct volunteers, interns, and contractors. The Land Steward is expected to participate in, and sometimes host, multiple volunteer work events throughout the field season.
• Monitor preserve use and potential problems; interact professionally with visitors and neighbors.
• Assist with property boundary marking (ex. signposting) and maintenance.
• Help post and disseminate outreach materials such as signs, brochures, newsletters, etc.
• Participate in habitat or species management initiatives, such as the control of non-native invasive species, grassland or shrubland management, and the FLLT Deer Management Program.
• Participate in meetings of the FLLT Preserve Management Committee and assist in the preparation of documents and informational materials for meetings.
• Write summaries of nature preserve site visits and management actions conducted. Assist with other routine records management/filing, such as preparing species lists, data entry, scanning documents, and archiving backup documents.

Required Qualifications

• Able to perform manual labor related to the position, including lifting heavy objects (40-50 lbs) and using a variety of power and hand tools.
• Able to work outdoors in all seasons and weather conditions, and on different landscapes.
• Ability to read and understand maps and surveys, orient oneself, and be comfortable traveling on foot in forested conditions, steep terrain, and on large rural properties.
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently to accomplish required tasks and achieve objectives.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to develop effective relationships with a variety of people, including landowners and partner organizations; and ability to supervise, coordinate, and educate volunteers, including young people.
• Good computer, writing, and organizational skills, and attention to detail, particularly as it relates to required summarizing and reporting of work conducted.
• Keen awareness and sense of safety for oneself and others.
• Possess and maintain a valid NYS driver’s license and a clean driving record and be comfortable with frequent travel around the region. An FLLT-owned vehicle will be available for use most of the time, but a personal vehicle will need to be used for work-related travel on occasion, with mileage reimbursement.
• Willingness to work outside of regularly scheduled hours on occasion (perhaps 3-4 evenings, and 4-7 weekend days/year, but still no more than 40 hours/week total).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in conservation, natural resources management, environmental science, biology, or related field, and/or multiple years of relevant employment or volunteer experience in those or related fields.
• Knowledge of, and/or prior experience in, conducting trail construction or maintenance, facilities maintenance, habitat or species management, natural resources management, public recreation management, assisting landowners, or land conservation.
• Experience in the safe operation/use of equipment such as a chain saw, brush saw, string trimmer, tractors, and other tools or machinery, and prior safety training related to chain saw use.
• Knowledge of species and ecological communities of the Finger Lakes region, including non-native invasive species affecting the region.
• Experience implementing treatments for control of non-native, invasive plant species; possession and maintenance of a valid NYS Certified Pesticide Applicator’s license, or a willingness to get training to obtain a license.
• Experience coordinating or supervising volunteers.
• Current certificate for training in first aid and CPR.
• Training in GIS/GPS software and equipment.

Additional Information

This is a full-time position, located at the FLLT office in Ithaca, NY.

Compensation for this position ranges from $18.45-$20.50/hour (equivalent to a salary range of $38,376-$42,640/year), based on qualifications and prior experience. Compensation also includes competitive benefits, including paid leave and health care options.

The Finger Lakes Land Trust is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

To Apply

Send a cover letter and resume by email to Jason Gorman, Nature Preserve Manager, at jasongorman@fllt.org with “Land Steward Position 2024” in the subject line.

Or by regular mail to:

Finger Lakes Land Trust
Attn.: Land Steward Position 2024
202 East Court Street
Ithaca, NY, 14850

This position is open until filled.