Title: Conservation Stewardship Manager
Supervisor: Conservation Coordinator
Location: Tall Timbers • Tallahassee, Florida
Job Classification: Permanent, Full Time
Introduction
Tall Timbers is widely regarded for its scientific research and information in the areas of fire ecology, game bird management, and vertebrate ecology. For almost 60 years, Tall Timbers has worked to better understand the role of fire in southern ecosystems and is a staunch prescribed fire advocate. The Land Conservancy, a division within Tall Timbers, was established in 1990 to ensure the sustainability and conservation of natural and cultural resources and rural land use traditions of the Red Hills region and in other strategic focus areas that promote Tall Timbers’ mission of fostering exemplary land stewardship through research, conservation, and education. To date, Tall Timbers has conserved over 130,000 acres with nearly 100 landowners utilizing donated conservation easements, making it one of the largest regional land trusts in the Southeast. Working with landowners, Tall Timbers has saved some of the South’s best remaining longleaf pine savannas, miles of river frontage along the Flint, Ochlockonee, and Aucilla Rivers, scenic canopy roads, and historic sites. These easements protect critical upland wildlife habitat and wetland ecosystems that affect the region’s quality of life by providing clean air and water to the residents of south Georgia and north Florida. In addition, these easements perpetuate traditional rural land uses of sustainable forestry, farming, and recreational hunting. The success of this private land conservation effort is due to the visionary leadership and stewardship ethic of landowners, strong public support, and the dedication of the staff. Tall Timbers is a committed land trust that has adopted the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices and is an accredited Land Trust by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
For more information about Tall Timbers: talltimbers.org
Position Responsibilities:
1. Coordinate and conduct annual monitoring and stewardship of conservation easements and other conservation properties following Tall Timbers’ policies and procedures.
2. Provide extension services and technical assistance for conservation easement landowners and land managers. Work with Tall Timbers staff to provide extension services to the greater Tall Timbers membership.
3. Work closely with the Records Manager to ensure all stewardship and land conservation records are collected and properly stored following recordkeeping policies and procedures. Maintain records in the Tall Timbers Land Conservation Database.
4. Assist the Conservation Coordinator and Conservation Biologist with new conservation easement projects including development of baseline documentation reports, conservation management plans, and legal conservation easements.
5. Document conservation easement violations. Work with Land Conservancy staff, Tall Timbers President/CEO and potentially the Easement Review Committee to obtain a resolution.
6. Pursue grants and other funding sources to support conservation and exemplary land stewardship on conservation easement properties.
7. Coordinate periodic events directed toward conservation easement landowners, land managers, and other interested parties.
8. Contribute to Tall Timbers community outreach, including its website and other public relations and educational materials.
9. Assist in the day-to-day management of the Land Conservancy, including performing necessary administrative tasks and fulfilling public information requests.
10. Assist in the overall work of the Land Conservancy and Tall Timbers as appropriate and as requested by the Conservation Coordinator or Director.
Qualifications and Experience
- Minimum education requirement: Bachelor’s Degree in forestry, wildlife or natural resources with at least 5 years of professional experience. A Master’s Degree is preferred but not required. A graduate degree can be substituted for up to 2 years of professional experience.
- The ability to work independently with excellent time management skills and able to manage multiple ongoing activities.
- Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills with the ability to listen and effectively and tactfully present information to and communicate with landowners, land managers, foresters, Board and Committee members, and other staff.
- Good writing skills with the ability to effectively develop monitoring reports, stewardship documents, landowner correspondence, technical papers, popular articles, social media posts, and other writings as assigned.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, ArcGIS, Adobe Acrobat, and GPS units.
- Working knowledge of common land management practices, including prescribed fire and forestry techniques utilized in the Southeast.
- An understanding of conservation easements and a willingness to expand personal knowledge of the topic.
- Preference for prescribed burner certification in Georgia or Florida.
- Preference for an understanding of Southeastern ecosystems, flora, and fauna.
- Preference for the ability to use ATVs, 4-wheel drive trucks and handle off-road conditions.
- Must have a philosophical agreement with consumptive and sustainable uses of wildlife and forest resources. An active outdoors person and/or hunter is preferred.
- Good physical condition, including the ability to work in varying outdoor conditions as required to carry out duties. Must not be deterred by heat, ticks, bugs, or snakes.
- A passion and desire to be a resident of the Greater Red Hills Region.
Salary and Benefits
· Salary range: $35,000 – $52,000, depending on experience.
· Benefits include health and dental insurance, retirement, paid vacation and sick leave
Application
1. Cover letter including 1) your interest in the position, 2) your opinion on why you are qualified for the job, and 3) salary history and salary expectations for this job.
2. Resume or CV
3. Contact information for 3 or more professional references
4. A writing sample addressing a topic related to the position
Email all documents as PDF files to swell@talltimbers.org
Position Inquires:
Shane Wellendorf, Conservation Coordinator
Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy
13093 Henry Beadel Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32312
Deadline:
Application deadline: December 1, 2017. It is recommended to promptly apply. Desired start date: January 2018.