Land & Boundary Steward
Position Overview:
As Land & Boundary Steward, you’ll be responsible for the physical patrol, maintenance, and documentation of a portion of Mohonk Preserve’s nearly 80 miles of fee property boundary, a portion of the Preserve’s off-trail interior, and the conservation easements in the Preserve’s portfolio, and related tasks.
We are seeking a land protection professional with working knowledge of mapping programs and tools – current ESRI ArcGIS applications (required); other mapping tools, e.g., Gaia, Avenza, (preferred) and ability to read and evaluate the landscape. The Steward will prepare written monitoring reports for all sections of fee boundary and conservation easements monitored in accordance with Mohonk Preserve and Land Trust Standards and Practices. This position reports to the Associate Director of Land Protection & GIS.
Essential Functions:
- Inspect, witness, document and maintain Preserve fee land boundary and other land parcel lines to affirm actual boundaries with historic/legal records, and to prevent unauthorized trespass, occupancy, or other encroachment
- Prepare written monitoring and/or baseline data reports for fee owned lands and conservation easements in accordance with Land Trust Standards and Practices
- Assist with maintenance and management of property files, survey files and GIS data
Desired Skills and Experience:
At Mohonk Preserve, our priority is finding the best candidate for the job. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the qualifications or have a less traditional background.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Environmental Science, Land and Natural Resource Management, Forestry, or other related fields of study desirable/preferred OR equivalent combination of education and experience
- Working knowledge of mapping programs and tools – current ESRI ArcGIS applications required
- Ability to read and evaluate the landscape (i.e., tree blazes, stone rows, rail and wire fences, hedgerows, corner monumentation, signage, flagging, etc.)
- Ability to effectively use map and compass, land surveys and aerial photos for navigation and interpretation of the landscape
- Ability to use technological tools for fieldwork, including two-way radio equipment, cameras, GPS, and various mobile applications
- Have a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice to ensure that all people are respected and welcomed at the Mohonk Preserve. This includes participating in ongoing education and other work the organization undertakes to develop and incorporate these principles
- Driver’s license; ability to pass background check required
- Bonus skills:
- Bi-lingual (Spanish/English)
- Experience with mapping tools, e.g., Gaia, Avenza
- Experience with a non-profit land trust or other land resource agency or comparable field of work
- Knowledge of Land Trust Standards and Practices
- Knowledge base of the natural and cultural history of the region
Physical Demands:
- Ability to traverse and navigate deep, backcountry, off-trail land conditions of varying, sometimes extremely rugged, mountain terrain while carrying equipment for up to 8 hours at a time
- Frequently works outdoors
- May require standing, walking, hiking, climbing, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching
- Uses a computer keyboard, reads, writes
- Occasional events indoors or outdoors outside standard office hours and in other locations around the Preserve
Compensation and Benefits:
This is a part-time, seasonal, non-exempt position
- $20.00/hour for a maximum of 600 hours
- Housing is available if needed
- Direct Payroll Deposit
- Mohonk Preserve membership for duration of position
- Access to lands and some activities of Mohonk Mountain House resort
Eligibility for certain benefits is dependent upon a variety of factors including employment status.
Location:
Mohonk Preserve’s main offices are located at our Visitor Center in Gardiner, NY. This position will be based out of the Preserve’s Daniel Smiley Research Center (DSRC) on the grounds of the Mohonk Mountain House resort. Mohonk Preserve offers hybrid work schedules at this time – coordinated with their supervisor. While daily schedules are flexible, general working hours are weekdays 9am-5pm. Mohonk Preserve is a smoke-free campus.
How to Apply:
Applications accepted via e-mail only. Please submit as a single PDF: cover letter, resume and names and contact information for three professional references by 5PM EST July 19, 2024, to: landprotection@mohonkpreserve.org Include in subject line “Land & Boundary Steward 2024”
The anticipated start date of this position is August 19, 2024 (flexible). No phone calls please