Stewardship Manager

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the 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: $60,000 - $68,000 

Hours per week: 40 

Job Classification: Full-Time, Exempt 

Job Type: Onsite, travel required between properties 

Location: Haydenville, Williamsburg, MA 

• Other Central and Valley properties as needed 

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact:

Are you an experienced stewardship professional, ready to serve as a critical team leader in managing a growing portfolio and brand-new team in the Connecticut River Valley? Our Central and Valley Region is expanding and looking to grow our stewardship team support our newest properties! 

The Role:

As a Stewardship Manager is responsible for identifying, planning and executing property-specific stewardship activities in the Central and Valley Region, focusing primarily on the expanding portfolio of properties in the Connecticut River Valley part of the region. The properties in this region feature unique and diverse landscapes, including large forested properties, Trustees office buildings, large grassland fields, complex recreational trail systems, a fleet of vehicles and equipment, and much more. The Stewardship Manager will provide hands-on leadership for all day-to-day operations on our properties, including maintenance, monitoring, enforcement of regulations, and collaboration with internal and external teams and stakeholders. This role will serve as a coordinator for capital and special projects as appropriate. The Stewardship Manager position is primarily field based with some administrative tasks required to identify, plan and report technical stewardship initiatives. A big part of your success will come from maintaining effective relationships with a wide range of property stakeholders, such as visitors, neighbors, donors, tenants, partner organizations, etc. This role works collaboratively with other regional and statewide colleagues, supervises one full-time Steward, multiple Seasonal Stewards, volunteers; and reports to the Regional Director Stewardship and Community Outreach.    

Specifically, you’ll: 

• Identify day-to-day maintenance requirements for all properties. Prioritize, schedule, and carry out maintenance and project-based activities.   

• Hire, supervise, and train Steward position(s), seasonal staff and volunteers, ensuring quality work and a rewarding experience for all involved.  

• Work side-by-side and effectively collaborate with other Trustees’ resource teams on meaningful projects, from invasive species control and trail restoration to building improvements and landscape design.  

• Coordinate with contractors, vendors, and other regionally located staff to support the establishment of a regional Headquarters located at Beaver Brook in Haydenville. 

• Identify and procure contractors, facilitate access and perform oversight associated with capital and special project initiatives.   

• Coordinate and manage relationships with property-based contractors and lessees, including but not limited to plowing contractors and farmers.   

• Lead staff and volunteer workdays associated with property-based initiatives.  

• Collaborate with centralized resource teams to conduct resource baseline assessments and work order creation.     

• Along with Steward(s):   

• Plan and perform the day-to-day maintenance, stewardship, and conservation of properties, and general maintenance of all buildings and structures.  

• Implement seasonal maintenance programs for groundskeeping and landscaping. Conduct snow removal for office buildings and prioritized parking areas in winter.  

• Support visitor experience and safety through property patrols, monitoring, ensuring proper wayfinding, and clean and welcoming facilities.       

• Use and maintain vehicles, machinery, tools and equipment to the highest safety standards.  

• Support special events and other significant programs as needed. 

This is a full-time, exempt position (40 hours per week) reporting directly to the Regional Director of Stewardship and Community Outreach. 

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience: 

Required: 

• 5–8 years of relevant work experience, including at least 3-5 years in a supervisory role.  

• An associate's degree or vocation/technical school graduate 

• Proven ability to hire, manage, and inspire staff and volunteers, balancing independent work with strong team collaboration.  

• Skilled at prioritizing, planning, and executing multiple projects while meeting deadlines and maintaining high standards. Experience managing contractors and overseeing project work on properties, ensuring quality, safety, and alignment with organizational standards.  

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and strong recordkeeping abilities.  

• Flexible, positive, and mission-driven, with a strong commitment to conservation and the goals of The Trustees.  

• Dedicated to creating and maintaining a culture of safety across all operations.  

• Committed to excellent customer service and enhancing the experience of every visitor.  

• Experience building and managing budgets effectively. 

Preferred: 

• A bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Horticulture, Landscape Maintenance, Property Management, Cultural/Historic Landscapes, or a related field is preferred  — however, we welcome candidates with equivalent hands-on experience that demonstrates strong knowledge and skills in these areas. 

• Wilderness First Aid certification or willingness to acquire 

• MA Hoisting 2A License 

• Core Pesticide Applicator 

• MCA/MCH/MCLP 

• First Aid/CPR 

• OSHA 10 

• Electrical Hazard Awareness Program 

• Confident in the safe use and maintenance of landscaping equipment (chainsaws, trimmers, brush cutters, mowers, tractors etc.); basic carpentry, painting, and building maintenance skills 

• Experience with cultural or historic landscapes and formal landscape maintenance 

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.  

• This role will be driving vehicles over 10k lbs and will require a DOT medical card clearance 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

• Must be able to lift, push and pull objects upwards of 50 lbs 

• Must be able to work in variable weather conditions 

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: 15 days per year 

• Vacation time: 20 days per year (prorated) 

• 12 observed 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: Enjoy access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions for Trustees Staff, Volunteers and Interns. 

• 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]. 

Internal Information:

Cost Center: 3000-101-0000

Driving Requirements: Over 10k lbs