Resource Specialist
Teton Regional Land Trust’s (TRLT) Resource Specialist acts with the Conservation Director and other stewardship staff to complete Stewardship Program duties including the following:
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1) Natural Resource Expert: Provide resource expertise to TRLT staff and Board of Directors and ensure TRLT is completing private lands conservation work based on the latest available science, resource, and management information. Support TRLT in identifying priority conservation values on potential conservation properties. Contribute to development and updating of TRLT’s strategic conservation plan. Be a source of information for conservation easement landowners interested in improving habitat or changing agricultural practices to better benefit wildlife. Lead the Teton Basin Trumpeter Swan Nesting Project, a collaborative project involving the Land Trust, state and federal agencies, and other partners to establish nesting Trumpeter Swans in Teton Basin. Support TRLT’s role in the Greater Yellowstone Sandhill Crane Initiative and participate in the associated annual Crane Festival.
2) Conservation Easement Stewardship: Ensure the integrity of conservation easements through thorough and consistent easement monitoring, defense and enforcement including: completing annual monitoring visits and reports, maintaining landowner relations, and following-up on potential easement issues for all assigned conservation easement properties with support from other staff when needed. Assist landowners with exercising rights reserved in conservation easements. Maintain professional, measured, and fully documented relationships with all easement property owners and their assigned representatives.
3) Baseline Documentation: Identify and describe conservation values for potential easement or fee acquisitions. Prepare high quality natural resource baseline reports that document property condition and describe conservation values. This includes conducting field assessments, gathering land use and resource information, and technical writing.
4) Habitat Restoration: Develop and implement habitat restoration projects including project planning and oversight, permitting, managing contractors, coordinating volunteers, gathering materials and supplies, and performing restoration activities (willow harvesting, tree planting, and fencing).
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:
1) Land Management: Assist in managing TRLT-owned properties including weed control, clean up, fence maintenance, and other management duties. Assist in managing a 875-acre ranch including weed control, fence repairs, and water management.
2) Ecological Monitoring: Lead and coordinate ecological monitoring, including songbirds and Long-billed Curlew. Gather, analyze, summarize, and maintain survey data.
3) Partner Relations: Develop and maintain relationships with partner agencies and organizations.
4) Fundraising and Outreach: Assist with writing and applying for grants for private lands conservation, habitat restoration/enhancement, and other conservation-related activities. Assist in other fundraising and outreach activities that may include, but are not limited to, property tours, resource-oriented outings, and oral presentations. Contribute to TRLT newsletters and website.
5) Team Member: TRLT staff operate as a team. All team members are expected to conduct themselves in ways that exemplify TRLT’s workplace values, which include integrity, professionalism, teamwork, balance, and enjoyment. The Resource Specialist is expected to perform other duties as requested.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
· Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in area of ecology, wildlife, conservation, environmental sciences, habitat or range management, or other natural resources related field.
· Two years of experience working conservation or natural resource-related field.
· Ecological monitoring skills including demonstrated songbird and waterbird identification. Wildlife tracking skills a plus.
· Technical writing experience.
· Strong commitment to, and knowledge of working and natural landscapes.
· Experience working with private landowners, non-governmental organizations, and state and federal agencies.
· Experience using computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.
· Experience using GPS units and GIS software.
· Valid driver’s license.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
· Ability to work independently with little direction while being a productive member of a team that values furthering TRLT’s mission in a supportive and fun environment.
· Familiarity with conservation issues in the Intermountain West.
· Experience training and coordinating volunteers.
· Experience assessing wildlife habitat, contributing to strategic conservation plans, and developing technical management/habitat reports.
· Knowledge of wildlife habitat needs and Intermountain west vegetation.
· Land management experience, including agriculture or wildlife habitat management (e.g., fence maintenance, noxious weed control, grazing management, water management, etc.). Experience with range management a plus.
· Grant writing experience.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
· Duties of this position will include approximately 40% field duties and 60% office duties.
· This position requires walking/hiking on unlevel and uneven terrain for long distances, sometimes in remote locations.
· Duties may require long hours in the field and work during early morning, evenings, and/or on weekends.
· Duties may include physical labor in often uncomfortable field conditions (heat, cold, water, insects).
· Ability and willingness to apply unrestricted herbicides for weed control.
Please email cover letter and resume to: job@tetonlandtrust.org with the Subject line titled, “Resource Specialist”. Include how you learned of this open position.
No phone calls please