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,(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

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

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.

• 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…