Habitat Steward

Who We Are: 

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is Massachusetts’ premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org. 

Posting Information: 

Salary/Hourly Rate: $52,500 - $67,500 

New hires are typically placed between Tier I and Tier III within the range, $52,500 - $60,000.   

Hours per week: 40 

Job Classification: Full-time, non-exempt 

Job Type: Onsite 

Location: Beaver Brook, Williamsburg, MA 

What You’ll Do:  

Your Impact: 

The Trustees protect more than 29,000 acres across Massachusetts; many of these lands support habitats of exceptional ecological value including beaches, grasslands, shrublands, forests and barrens. Protecting these natural resources and managing for their resiliency is central to the mission of The Trustees and the Ecology and Climate Program. These resources, in healthy, resilient condition, support biodiversity for a myriad of plant and animal species, provide critical habitat for rare and threatened species, buffer the impacts of climate change, sequester carbon, allow for public enjoyment and recreation, and inspire the next generation to care for our lands. The Habitat Steward contributes to the protection and management of key species and native habitats through habitat restoration and maintenance.

The Role: 

The Habitat Steward performs a suite of duties including regular and heavy mowing and herbicide application directly related to maintaining habitats and ecological resources including grasslands, early successional habitats (shrublands), fire-adapted habitats like barrens, exemplary natural community types and rare species habitats. This work is focused on priority habitats called Ecological Landscape Units that require ongoing stewardship to maintain. The position requires daily travel throughout the inland counties (e.g., western and central MA) including the Berkshires, Connecticut River Valley, greater Worcester area and occasionally statewide, including the trailering of heavy equipment. While the position is based on 40 hours per week, due to the demands of seasonal fieldwork, unpredictable weather, occasional overnight stays near field sites, and the need to attend some evening or weekend meetings, a flexible schedule is required. The Habitat Steward works alone or with property-based staff for on-site work and with members of the Ecology and Climate team for planning and prioritizing work. This position is also supported by a seasonal position during summer months. This position supports the Program’s priority management goals and is part of the Inland Ecology Team.

Specifically, you’ll: 

• Focus on maintaining priority habitats (i.e., Ecological Landscape Units) that require routine maintenance or restoration including, but not limited to grasslands, early successional habitats and rare species habitats.   
• Work collaboratively with staff from multiple teams including property, agriculture and ecology staff, including other habitat stewards to coordinate maintenance activities.  
• Work with Program Directors and Ecologists to prioritize workload and lead implementation scheduling to achieve yearly goals, conduct regular and heavy mowing using a skid steer with mowing deck (e.g. rotary disk mulcher), herbicide application, and occasional other activities.   
• Evaluate implementation of management with others on an ongoing basis to improve efficiency (e.g., reduced inputs and friction points to implementation) and outcomes (e.g., ecological benefits).   
• Transport and operate tractors, skid steer, UTVs, and power equipment including chainsaws, construction tools, seed drills, backpack sprayers and motorized tank sprayers following safety standards and best management practices.  
• Serve as occasional project manager for selected habitat restoration and management projects that will be contracted out, including securing contractor bids following the Trustees procurement policy and required permits (e.g., Wetlands Protection Act).  
• Serve as a Trustees expert for invasive plant control including all aspects of chemical control and ensure control is implemented on priority habitats (e.g., Ecological Landscape Units).  
• Maintain and advance organizational capacity and expertise to manage habitats by serving as a resource for stewardship staff including developing and leading trainings (e.g., pesticide license CEU (Continuing Education) training).   
• Participate in prescribed fire as a member of The Trustees fire crew.   
• Maintain tools and equipment to achieve the above functions (e.g., chainsaw, tractor, skid steer, boom sprayer, etc.).  
• Assist the Inland Ecology Team with grant proposals for habitat management and restoration including NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) contracts.  
• Use GPS to document habitat management.  
• Maintain necessary state licenses including Pesticide Applicator License, Hoisting License, and Wildfire Standards.  
• Assist Director of Inland Ecology on an as needed basis with a variety of initiatives and projects. 

This is a full-time, non-exempt position (40 hours/week) reporting directly to the Director of Inland Ecology. 

What You’ll Need: 

Skills and Experience:  

Required 

• High school degree or equivalent.  
• Practical knowledge of Microsoft applications  
• Massachusetts Commercial Pesticide Applicator (CORE) License or willingness to obtain.  
• Massachusetts Hoisting License (2A) and DOT medical card or willingness to obtain.  
• Experience with operating and transporting heavy equipment (e.g., tractors, skid steer).   
• The desire to take initiative and solve problems.  
• Effective communication skills. 
• The ability to work outdoors daily, and at times, under rigorous conditions and perform physically strenuous duties including traversing steep slopes with a backpack sprayer.  
• The ability to lift /carry 50 pounds.  

Preferred  

• Possess strong time management skills and the flexibility to deal with shifts in the weather  

• The ability to work independently and with other staff and the public.  

• Greater than three years operating heavy equipment and experience with general equipment maintenance.  
• Knowledge of invasive plants and methods of control.    

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 

• A valid driver’s license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy. [if needed] 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.  

Questions? Contact our People team at [email protected] 

Your Benefits: 

• Sick time: 120 hours per year 

• Vacation time: 20 days per year (prorated) 

• Holiday time: 12 set holidays, 3 floating  

• Health insurance: You are eligible to participate in the Trustees health insurance benefit via Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). BCBS also offers additional benefits, such as fitness reimbursement and rewards for healthy habits.  

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance 

• Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave 

• Life Insurance  

• 401k with 5% match after 1 year of employment 

• Employee Assistance Program: Free access to a confidential service that helps employees and their communities with personal and work-related issues, such as mental health support, counseling, and financial advice.  

• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  

• Day of Wonder: Spend one workday per year to exploring a Trustees property 

• Day of Service: Spend one workday per year to helping with a project at a Trustees property  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity: 

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.    

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity. 

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.  

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at [email protected].