Fee Land Steward

Fee Land Steward

Salary: $46,000.00–$55,000.00 per year.

Location:

Moreland Hills, Ohio.

Employment type:

Full‑time. Seniority level:
Entry level. Job function:
Other. Industries:
Non‑profit Organizations.

Reporting to the Parks and Preserves Manager, the Fee Land Steward (“Steward”) is responsible for activities related to the management of the Land Conservancy’s fee‑owned properties. The Land Conservancy owns around 100 properties and 7,000 acres across Ohio. Management needs include annual monitoring visits, mowing, trail clearing, habitat management, public park management, and other aspects of fee land stewardship.

• Fee Land Monitoring Visits – The Steward is responsible for annually monitoring a set number of fee‑owned properties by directly visiting the properties and documenting appropriate information. The Steward ensures that conservation restrictions are upheld and property ownership rights are protected. Issues such as trespass or encroachment are addressed in coordination with the Parks and Preserves Manager and the Director of Land Stewardship.
  
  Documentation is maintained in the Land Conservancy’s database.
• Habitat Management and Restoration – The Steward works with the Parks and Preserves Manager to carry out and monitor habitat management and restoration projects, including old‑field management, early‑successional forest habitat, sustainable timber harvests, invasive species management, and stream and wetland restoration.
• Development and Implementation of Management Plans – The Steward assists in developing and implementing Land Management Plans (LMPs) for fee‑owned properties and operations and maintenance plans for Signature Parks and Preserves.
• Property, Land, and Infrastructure Maintenance – The Steward assists with property maintenance activities such as security, installation of buildings and infrastructure, grounds maintenance, managing water control structures, and equipment maintenance.
• Mission Engagement – The Steward is an ambassador for the Land Conservancy in the communities where we own property, orchestrating the use of our properties for engagement activities such as hikes, hunts, fishing outings, and other events.
• General Land Stewardship Program Support – The Steward supports the Land Stewardship program, assisting or managing the hunting program and sign program, coordinating scientific research requests, and pre‑acquisition property assessments.

• A bachelor’s degree or technical degree in a natural resource‑related field is strongly preferred; experience is considered.
• A forestry degree is desirable.
• Demonstrated commitment to and passion for the Land Conservancy’s mission.
• Experience in fieldwork, soil and water conservation, and “working lands” or natural resource management.
• Extensive experience operating property‑management equipment such as mowers, brush cutters, chainsaws, tractors, ORVs, and power tools.
• Mechanical aptitude and basic skills for service and repair of equipment; advanced skills preferred.
• Ability to drive automatic and standard‑transmission vehicles in all weather conditions.
• Ability to tow equipment and manage a trailer safely.
• Strong technical and general writing skills for monitoring reports, database entries, and correspondence.
• Experience with GPS units, mobile mapping applications, ArcGIS, and GIS tasks is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).

• Excellent interpersonal communication and collaboration skills; ability to build relationships with staff, landowners, partners, and constituents.
• Respectful, energetic, team‑player with a problem‑solving approach and strong work ethic.
• Detail‑oriented, organized, multi‑tasking, and able to work in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proactive, logical, and measured approach to conflict resolution and problem solving.

• Ability to hike independently in all weather conditions throughout the year on diverse terrain.
• Ability to perform manual labor for land management (e.g., trail clearing, gate installation).
• Ability to drive throughout northern Ohio and beyond regularly.

Western Reserve Land Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to hiring staff who represent the diversity of our community. All employees and applicants for employment are judged on their merits, and hiring decisions are not based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other protected category under federal and state laws.