Stewardship Assistant

Theuniversityunion; Embreeville (PA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Natural Lands is seeking a Stewardship Assistant to support Preserve Managers at ChesLen and Hildacy Preserves in Chester County, PA. The role involves land management, maintenance of equipment and structures, and occasional weekend hours to meet duties.

You will operate chainsaws, tractors, and mowers, perform maintenance, and assist with repairs, restoration, and event support while following safety policies and contributing to conservation efforts.

Qualifications

• Must be able to perform a wide range of physically demanding tasks.
• Must have valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and good driving record.
• Customer service attitude and ability to work with the public.
• Willingness to perform subordinate tasks and adhere to safety protocols.
• Regular and consistent attendance; pass a background check.

Responsibilities

• Meadow/lawn mowing and trail/road maintenance with tractors.
• Trimming around buildings as needed.
• Operate and maintain equipment (tractors, mowers, chainsaws).
• Assist with building repairs and renovations.
• Restore degraded natural areas.
• Transfer heavy equipment via truck and gooseneck trailer.
• Follow safety program and PPE guidelines.
• Assist with events and membership activities.
• Trash collection within Preserves and along roads.
• Monitor land and structures for vandalism.
• Post Preserve boundaries and conduct bird censuses.
• Participate in prescribed fire program.

Skills

Physically fit

Reliability

Driver's license

Public interaction

Safety conscious

Tools

Chainsaws

Farm tractors

Lawn mowers

Power tools

Gooseneck trailer

Job description

• Location 1199 Cannery Rd,Coatesville, PA, 19320,United States
• Base Pay $39,000.00 - $43,000.00 / Year
• Other Compensation We offer a range of benefits and incentives including health insurance, retirement plans, time off including vacation and holidays, and professional development opportunities.
• Employee Type FT Non-Exempt

Description

Natural Lands, a vibrant, regional, nonprofit organization and leader in land conservation, natural resource stewardship, and public engagement, seeks a Stewardship Assistant to join our team. This position will primarily assist Preserve Managers in Chester County (ChesLen and Hildacy Preserves).

Since the early 1950s, Natural Lands has saved open space, cared for nature, and connected people to the outdoors in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Today, the organization is one of the nation’s largest regional land conservancies and is widely respected for its record of success, technical expertise, respectful and creative approach to partnerships, fiscal strength, and integrity.

Over the course of its nearly 70-year history, Natural Lands has helped preserve more than 135,000 acres including a network of over 40 nature preserves and one public garden across two states and 13 counties. These properties total 23,000 acres and include many of the most spectacular and diverse properties in the region, which are enjoyed by more than 300,000 visitors annually.

Natural Lands seeks to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our organization stronger. We aim to build a workplace where employees feel empowered to be their full, authentic selves. We welcome you to explore a career at Natural Lands.

Job Summary

The Stewardship Assistant is responsible for assisting Preserve Managers and Building Stewardship staff. Duties will include land management and maintenance of equipment, roads, and structures. This will include operation of power equipment, such as chainsaws, tractors, and lawn mowers. The Stewardship Assistant will be required to physically perform, as needed, all tasks necessary for the maintenance of any Natural Lands preserve. May be required occasionally to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as requested to fulfill their responsibilities. The position will primarily assist the Preserve Managers at ChesLen (4 days) and Hildacy Preserves (1 day) but may work as needed at any Natural Lands locations.

Primary Responsibilities

• Meadow/lawn mowing and trail/road maintenance with lawn and farm tractors
• Trimming around buildings as needed
• Maintenance and operation of equipment owned by Natural Lands including farm tractors, commercial mowers, chainsaws, and other preserve maintenance equipment
• Assisting Building Stewardship crew in building repairs and renovations
• Restoration of degraded natural areas
• Transfer of heavy equipment via truck and gooseneck trailer
• Adherence to Natural Lands' stringent safety program and appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment
• Assisting with preserve events and membership activities
• Trash collection within Preserves and along public roads
• Monitoring the land and structures for unwarranted use and vandalism
• Posting of Preserve boundaries
• Conduct bird censuses
• Participate in Natural Lands' prescribed fire program

Requirements

• Highly motivated, responsible, reliable, and dependable
• Capable of performing a wide variety of physically demanding tasks
• Must have a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and a good driving record
• Customer service attitude and be comfortable working with the public
• Flexibility when dealing with changes in work plans
• Carry out tasks in a professional manner
• Adequate skills and a familiarity with the safe operation and care of basic hand and power tools
• Willingness to perform subordinate tasks such as clean-up
• Regular and consistent attendance required
• Successfully pass a background check

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

Natural Lands is committed to creating an inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. We aim to build a workplace where employees feel empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.