Director of Land Stewardship

The Director of Land Stewardship assists with the day-to-day activities of a multi-faceted program which primary responsibilities includes managing a diverse landscape that includes crop ground, pastures, farm districts, recreational trails, and remnant oak ecosystems and prairies that are being actively restored.
The ideal candidate will manage WRC’s agricultural and non-production lands for ecological health, recreation and production and work with constituents and partners to sustain restoration activities, develop strategic plans, and develop land management and outreach initiatives.
Leads field data collection activities, data analysis and interpretation, and uses data gathered and assessed to help set, develop, and implement WRC conservation programs.
This position may operate hand tools, chainsaws, tractors, trucks, mowers, hauling materials, repairs, trim and cut trees and participate in prescribed burning.
These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.
Other duties may be required and assigned.
Skills and field experience in plant and wildlife identification, invasive species mitigation, equipment use and management, prescribed fire, monitoring and assessment.
The position must be self-motivated with excellent time management skills and comfortable with both individual and group work, and willing to work with the public.
Physical demands of the position may include navigating steep and uneven terrain and working in all weather conditions, hiking long distances, performing repetitive motions and lifting and carrying heavy loads.
The work environment will vary with duties that require both indoor and outdoor work.
This position may require travel and occasionally overnight stays.
The Director of Land Stewardship must act in WRC’s best interest and carry out responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies, programs and procedures.
This position must be a team player, maintain a positive attitude, good communication skills and be respectful and professional towards other staff members, volunteers and guests.
· Timely, reliable and consistent physical attendance is an essential function of this position.
· Some weekend and holiday work may be required · Understand and enforce WRC Visitor Rules and Policies · Ensure adherence to quality standards and health and safety regulations · General awareness of safety concerns and reporting issues to supervisor · Provide relevant information to the Executive Director for board reports and committee meetings.
· Lead and provide the Land Stewardship Committee with action items needed to operate effectively.
· Develop/possess a strong agro-ecological background with regards to oak ecosystems, prairies, crop ground, and pasture systems.
· Develop annual work plans and supervise staff in the implementation of land management activities.
· Ability to direct and support long-term stewardship planning on a large scale (5,000+ acres).
· Sustain long-term record keeping and update when needed.
· Provides science-based leadership and planning of WRC's land management, including but not limited to merging conservation and land protection issues with enhanced public recreation opportunities and agricultural production.
· Develops assessment protocols for and leads implementation of baseline ecological data collection on WRC property, environmental impact assessment data on WRC property, long-term ecological monitoring of WRC property.
· Facilitates and develops partnerships with like-minded organizations, local, state, regional and federal agencies and research institutions as needed to develop and deliver WRC conservation programs.
· Attends local, regional, and national meetings to represent WRC as needed.
· Ensure metrics established in WRC’s strategic plan are being met, and adapted as necessary, to fulfill strategic plan objectives.
· Administers WRC’s USDA program contracts and contract implementation, including Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts and mid-contract management practice implementation, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) contracts and practice implementation and land certification.
· Assist with WRC’s agricultural leases to develop and implement innovative agricultural programs that integrate production systems with land conservation and outdoor recreation.
· Assist with WRC’s hunting leases to ensure the health of the ecosystem and ensure that game species populations remain stable.
· Assists with the implementation of conservation-science based Best Management Practices (BMP's) on WRC property and works with adjacent private landowner properties as needed.
· Provides all of WRC’s GIS-based land management and mapping program needs, including GIS generated maps and figures (protection plans, restoration plans, sampling plans, partner reports, river conservation and monitoring plans).
· Ability to operate farm machinery associated with routine operations of WRC’s land and the implementation of special projects.
· Plan and implement prescribed fire practices at WRC.
· Assist with the Conservation Easement program.
Review and document compliance issues with the Executive Director.
· Supervise land maintenance staff and volunteers in the delivery of routine land management tasks and special projects, including but not limited to land restoration projects, agricultural projects and recreation projects.
· Carries out programmatic responsibilities in accordance with WRC's organizational policies, programs and procedures.
· Assists Executive Director with organizational strategic planning, development of 1-year work plans, development of yearly projects and the organizational budget · Acts in the best interest of WRC at all times while representing the organization.
· Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
· Assist with identification of contractors on larger projects as assigned and acquiring proper documentation for insurance purposes.
· Willingness to learn and keep up with current non-profit conservation land management techniques, including learning to identify and control invasive species, apply chemicals in an environmentally sensitive manner, habitat and wildlife friendly mowing practices, etc.
· Collaborate with WRC staff for land stewardship projects.
Projects include but are not limited to prescribed burns, mechanical and chemical control of invasive species, timber stand improvement, brush management and seed collection · Collaborate with WRC staff, interns and volunteers for projects as needed · Help monitor, assess, and map land for planning purposes, impact studies, ongoing research, contract management, etc.
· Participates in non-grant related fundraising efforts, including but not limited to assisting with donor and constituent cultivation events and community/special events.
· Serves as WRC on-site natural heritage expert with an emphasis on performing natural resource talks and interpretation for individuals and groups.
· Assists in the development and delivery of professional workshops and presentations.
· Assists in producing data for grants designed to deliver WRC conservation, recreation, and working landscape programs.
· Assists the marketing staff with science expertise for media development and outreach.
· Perform other duties and activities as assigned · Bachelor’s degree in related field with minimum 2 years of experience preferred · High school diploma or GED with equivalent work experience or combination of coursework and work experience considered · Proven commitment to conservation of natural resources and agricultural production.
· Proficient computer skills, experience with all aspects of using ArcGIS software.
· Must have the ability to work successfully with people at all levels and proficient public presentation skills.
· Desire to work for a nonprofit organization in a rural setting and live within a 40min commute · Valid driver’s license · Ability to use own vehicle for business related activities (reimbursable under Whiterock Conservancy travel policy).
· Ability to use personal cell phone (with reimbursement) to stay in contact with Whiterock Conservancy staff, volunteers, guests and visitors as needed.
· Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends, willingness to travel for short periods of time · Strong desire to learn new skills in the conservation, agricultural and outdoor recreation fields · Ability to work outdoors in extreme weather conditions · Independently navigate trails on-foot, in a UTV, or on a 4-wheeler for miles at a time · Ability to perform physically demanding tasks · Previous experience with heavy machinery, equipment, power tools and hand tools · Ability to work independently and as a positive team member · Excellent time management and priority skills · Excellent communication, listening and interpersonal skills · Professional, respectful and reliable conduct : · Standing – Approximately less than 2/3 of on-the-job time.
· Walking – Approximately less than 2/3 of on-the-job time.
· Sitting – Approximately more than 1/3 of on-the-job time.
· Use of hands to finger, handle or feel – greater than 2/3 of on-the-job time.
· Reaching with hands and arms – greater than 2/3 of on-the-job time.
· Climbing or balancing – Approximately more than 1/3 of on-the-job time.
· Stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling – more than 1/3 of on-the-job time.
· Weight lifted/Force exerted – Occasionally requires lifting objects up to or more than 50lbs.
· Travel for position up to 10% of the time.
· Works majority of the time in split indoor/outdoor conditions under common weather situations including heat, cold, and inclement weather · Valid Iowa driver’s license · CPR & First Aid Certification · Basic Wildland firefighting (S130, S190, L180) Compensation: $70k/$78k depending on experience Send resume and cover letter to: Job Type: Full-time Pay: $70,000.
00 - $78,000.
00 per year Benefits: * Dental insurance * Health insurance * Paid time off * Retirement plan * Vision insurance Schedule: * 8 hour shift * Weekends as needed Work Location: In person