Land Stewardship Summer Intern (PT/Temp/Paid)

The purpose of this position will be to perform a wide variety of tasks associated with land management, ecological restoration, and maintaining high quality nature preserves. The position may also require the management and coordination of volunteers to accomplish specific tasks.

• Seasonal: approx. May 30-July 29, 2022. Some flexibility available.
• Honorarium: $1,250
• Hours: 20 hrs./week for approx. 9 weeks
• 2 positions available

Background:

Red-tail Land Conservancy preserves, protects, and restores natural areas and farm land in east central Indiana while increasing awareness of our natural heritage.

Focused on this mission, the not-for-profit land trust has grown steadily since its inception in 1999. In its first two decades, Red-tail Land Conservancy has provided land conservation options to individual landowners and partnered with local governments in restoration projects while engaging students and adult volunteers in land stewardship activities and education.

As a result, over 2,800 acres of natural areas and farm land are permanently protected.  Red-tail manages 18 nature preserves and has recorded 20 conservation easements.  Working to connect the residents of east central Indiana with nature, Red-tail Land Conservancy is receiving growing support and recognition for its role in conservation. 

Position Summary:

The land steward internship provides the opportunity to learn and gain experience using best conservation practices to maintain and manage the land, including but not limited to natural resource inventory, management, monitoring/protection, invasive plant control, mapping, equipment maintenance, cleaning, and other duties. The position is physically demanding, requiring walking on uneven terrain in variable weather conditions, often carrying heavy equipment or supplies.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Assist Stewardship Coordinator with conducting land management, including plant identification, invasive plant monitoring and control, mowing, prairie restoration and/or prairie planting, and effective wetlands conservation.
• Maintain properties, including trash pickup, trail maintenance, trimming, planting, weeding, site monitoring, property boundary signage, boardwalk/bridge repair, and other duties, as assigned.
• Assist with mapping of invasive plants and work completed using ESRI ArcGIS program and collection app on phone. Assist with updating other records, as needed.
• Maintain all equipment and tools.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Non-essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Participate in nature/conservation programs & education of public/private groups.
• Assist in organizing and training of volunteers to complete land management tasks.

Required Qualifications:

• Education, experience, or strong interest in ecological restoration, natural resources management, land management, biology/ecology/environmental studies, or environmental education. Minimum HS Diploma/GED and 1 year of higher education.
• Must be physically fit and capable to work many hours. Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 lbs. over uneven terrain. Ability to sit/stand at will, bend, crouch/kneel, eye/hand/food coordination, hand dexterity, grasp, perform repetitive motions, hear sounds/communication, and speak clearly. Ability to work every workday in inclement weather and extreme temperatures.
• Ability to work independently and with a team in field and office settings. Ability to effectively communicate and interact with a variety of stakeholders including scientists, volunteers, landowners, and community members.
• Ability to work effectively and meet deadlines.
• Ability to get to and from the Red-tail office in downtown Muncie.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in or willingness to learn proper use of tractor, mower, power and hand tools, and routine maintenance of equipment and tools.
• Strong plant identification skills, with ability to learn native and invasive plants.
• Experience with invasive plant removal techniques, including manual (hand pull, hand tools), mechanical (chainsaw, brush cutter) and chemical (herbicide, backpack sprayer), or willingness to learn.
• Experience using ArcGIS and/or ESRI mapping.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license with a safe driving record.

How to Apply:

Submit the following to Jake Gamble, Red-tail’s Stewardship Coordinator at Jake@ForTheLand.org. Applications will be accepted and review on a rolling basis until 2 positions have been filled. Submission deadline is Monday, April 25, 2022.

• Letter of interest, including relative experience and goals; 
• Resume/CV
• Two references (may be included in cv/resume), including the nature of relationship and phone/email contact info to:

Please direct questions to Jake Gamble at Jake@ForTheLand.org or by calling (765) 288-2587.

Natural Resources Technician (PT/Temp)

The purpose of this position will be to perform a wide variety of tasks associated with land management, ecological restoration, and maintaining high quality nature preserves. The position may also require the management and coordination of volunteers to accomplish specific tasks.

• Seasonal: May 1 – Nov 1, 2022
• Pay Scale: $12 – $14 / hr
• Hours: Flexible

Background:

Red-tail Land Conservancy preserves, protects, and restores natural areas and farm land in east central Indiana while increasing awareness of our natural heritage.

Focused on this mission, the not-for-profit land trust has grown steadily since its inception in 1999. In its first two decades, Red-tail Land Conservancy has provided land conservation options to individual landowners and partnered with local governments in restoration projects while engaging students and adult volunteers in land stewardship activities and education.

As a result, over 2,800 acres of natural areas and farm land are permanently protected.  Red-tail manages 18 nature preserves and has recorded 20 conservation easements.  Working to connect the residents of east central Indiana with nature, Red-tail Land Conservancy is receiving growing support and recognition for its role in conservation. 

Typical Working and Environmental and Physical Demands:

• Ability to work outside year-round in all temperatures
• Ability to walk in rough terrain and long distances
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds, bend, squat, etc. in the performance of daily activities
• Ability to work with land management equipment, particularly chainsaws, herbicides, tractors and other heavy equipment, and other tools

Education and Training:

Desired: At least 3 years completed within a Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, Ecology, Botany, Environmental Management, or other related biology degree and or classes relevant to required experience and skills.

Required Experience and Job Skills:

• Experience working with and controlling invasive plant species
• Experience with chainsaw
• GIS experience
• Basic I.D. skills of native flora
• Knowledge of common land management practices

Responsibilities:

The Natural Resources Technician will work directly with the Stewardship Coordinator in maintaining and restoring Red-Tail Land Conservancy’s nature preserves. As such, specific work requirements include but are not limited to:

• Perform stewardship and best land management practices and techniques to preserve, protect and restore fee-title properties held by Red-tail
• Work within RLC stewardship programs such as GIS tracking, invasive species removal, outreach and public awareness, etc. 
• Maintain property boundaries, signage, parking lots, and trails
• Produce reports and maps documenting monitoring visits, stewardship activities, habitat restoration projects, and other activities and programs as needed
• Represent Red-tail at meetings, conferences, and other public events 
• Assist in establishing organizational policies and procedures that align with Red-tail’s mission and strategic plan
• Assisting with the creation of management plans
• Other duties as assigned by the Stewardship Coordinator
• Assist with the coordination and training of stewardship volunteers and interns

How to Apply:

Submit the following to Jake Gamble, Red-tail’s Stewardship Coordinator at Jake@ForTheLand.org. Applications will be accepted and review on a rolling basis. Submission deadline is Friday, April 1, 2022.

• CV or Resume
• Cover Letter which includes contact information for 3 references

Please direct questions to Jake Gamble at Jake@ForTheLand.org or by calling (765) 288-2587.