Black Swamp Conservancy seeks a Stewardship Crew Leader, to carry out the Conservancy’s stewardship vision at our Nature Preserves. The selected individual will be highly motivated, organized, and eager to work outdoors on habitat restoration.
Work Hours
This position is Field Work only. If weather prohibits field work, work hours are not guaranteed.
- Up to 40 hours a week – May 2 to September 30
- The Field Crew Leader’s schedule is 4 days a week, 10 hours a day, including travel time to each work site.
Projects the Crew Leader will assist with include
- Invasive Plant Management, using mechanical methods (cut, pull, etc) and herbicides.
- Native habitat restoration – planting trees, plants or seeds, and caring for trees and shrubs.
- Basic Preserve maintenance – trash & litter, parking lot & trail maintenance, install signs.
- Preserve Monitoring – invasive and native plant species scouting and mapping, water quality monitoring, wildlife surveys
- Other duties as assigned
The Crew Leader will work alongside four seasonal interns as part of the Conservancy’s Stewardship Crew, under the direction of the Land Steward. Each day, the crew will travel from our headquarters in Pemberville to our Preserves, many of which are over an hour each way. Applicants must be willing to work in challenging conditions including rain, heat, humidity, and muddy fields.
The Crew Leader must be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team. The Crew Leader will oversee the crew’s preparations for each day’s work and must be able to determine equipment needs based on each day’s field tasks. The successful candidate will be a good communicator able to follow directions, guide the field crew, delegate tasks, ensure daily records are completed, and ask questions. The Crew Leader will be skilled in safe equipment use and maintenance and will be able to assist the field crew as needed.
The Stewardship Crew will gain skills in Land Management, native plant community identification and monitoring, invasive plant identification and Best Management Practices, Integrated Pest Management, small engine and tractor use and maintenance including PTO driven implements, crew supervision, and more.
Preferred Experience
- Invasive species identification & management
- Hand tools and small engines
- Collecting water samples and taking water quality measurements
- Using GPS units to mark field locations
- Safe tractor operation
- Supervisory experience
Required Qualifications
- Curiosity and a love of the outdoors
- Ability to work as a team to accomplish tasks
- Availability to work flexible hours including the occasional Saturday
- Valid Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record to be added to the Conservancy’s insurance policy
Physical Requirements
- Tolerate extreme temperatures (especially heat) for 6-10 hours per day
- Comply with requirements for protective clothing
- Work in an outdoor environment, including tolerance for exposure to insects and thorns
- Repetitively lift and carry items up to 30 lbs
- Stand, sit, bend, kneel, stretch and squat for long periods of time while using best practices to maintain strong, long term personal health
Compensation
- $15 an hour, as a contract position (no employee benefits or withholding)
To Apply
Email your resume and cover letter to Freya Berntson [email protected]. Position open until filled. Interviews will begin around March 28, so apply now!
About Black Swamp Conservancy
Black Swamp Conservancy is a land trust dedicated to protecting natural areas and family farms, now and for future generations. We do this to preserve the heritage, habitats, and waters of northwest Ohio. The Conservancy protects over 21,000 acres and owns ten Nature Preserves in six counties. These include:
- Forrest Woods Nature Preserve, 393 acres in Paulding County protecting a remnant of the Great Black Swamp and restoring habitat around it
- Little Auglaize Wildlife Reserve, 226 acres in Paulding County protecting restored wetlands along the Little Auglaize river
- Water’s Edge Nature Preserve, 60 acres along the Sandusky Scenic River with a newly planted woodland and a small prairie
- Pat & Clint Mauk’s Prairie, a 30 acre prairie and Black Swamp woods in Wood County.
