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Kern River Preserve
Land Steward
The mission of Audubon California is to conserve and restore
California's natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other
wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the
earth's biological diversity. By connecting people with nature,
Audubon California will be a leader in creating a powerful
California voice for the environment, deeply rooted in and
broadly drawn from all parts of our population.
Background
The Kern River Preserve lies at the ecological crossroads of the
southern Sierra Nevada where montane, desert and riparian
habitats all converge in the Kern River Valley. The Preserve is
located 57 miles east of Bakersfield in Weldon, California. Now
over 25 years old, the Kern River Preserve has grown to over
3,400 acres, and includes one of the finest cottonwood-willow
riparian forests remaining in California. The Preserve is home
to hundreds of bird species and is a stronghold for Western
Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher. The
Preserve also benefits by working closely with adjoining private
landowners and public land agencies who work together to help
maintain this remarkable stretch of riparian habitat.
Summary of Position
The Land Steward position provides direct support and assistance
to the Kern River Preserve Manager. The Land Steward will help
the Preserve Manager with a wide range of responsibilities
including administrative assistance, physical labor in the
control of invasive and non-native plant species, general
operations and maintenance, landscaping, greenhouse maintenance,
riparian restoration, prescribed burning, tree cutting,
herbicide application, mowing, and litter clean-ups. He/she will
be responsible for stewardship equipment preparation and
maintenance as a part of field work and other responsibilities
as assigned. The Land Steward will coordinate volunteer
stewardship activities with Friends of the Kern River Preserve
and lead occasional field trips. Responsibilities include
supervising volunteers and contractors and working in close
cooperation with partner agencies and organizations,
specifically with the California Dept. of Fish & Game.
Essential Functions:
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Assist
with inventory and assessment of stewardship goals within Kern
River Valley.
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Assist
with restoration and habitat management planning and mapping
projects.
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Develop innovative proposals to secure future funding.
Financial responsibility may include working within/managing
budgets to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with
vendors, assisting with budget development, and meeting
fundraising targets.
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Conduct maintenance and restoration activities using
appropriate equipment.
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Maintain trails, roads and open space areas by mowing with a
tractor, using a chainsaw or brush cutter, other power
equipment, or hand cutting.
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Use
manual or chemical methods to control invasive and non-native
plant species.
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Oversee general property operations and maintenance of
facilities
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Monitoring and tracking conservation easements to ensure
compliance with easement terms while maintaining productive
working relationships and communications with private
landowners. This involves conducting property visits with
landowners, preparing monitoring reports, identifying and
resolving compliance issues, and managing and updating the
conservation easement database (GIS, maps, records and
reports).
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Patrol
boundaries and work closely with legal agencies to prevent
trespass and poaching.
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Post
boundaries, build or repair fences, construct gates, maintain
trails, clean up litter, and perform other custodial
maintenance on preserve as needed.
Additional Functions:
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Develop a network of volunteers and land managers in the Kern
River Valley and assist Audubon and other conservation
organizations coordinate volunteer work days.
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Develop a rapid ecological assessment protocol and mapping of
invasive species of management units to prioritize stewardship
efforts.
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Maintain greenhouse and plants.
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Work
with lessees on grazing allotments.
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Assist
on other projects as needed and as assigned by supervisor
(e.g. library research, data entry, GIS analysis, field
assistance, lab work, or participation on special projects).
Relationships:
Internal: Report to Kern River Preserve manager, Audubon
California Sanctuary supervisor. Work with Kern River Preserve
staff, Audubon California staff, and National Audubon society
staff.
External: Work with partner agencies, organizations and
individuals including: Department of Fish and Game, Sequoia
National Forest, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Kern County
representatives, local ranchers, NRCS staff, and MDRC&D
Equipment: (e.g., computer, typewriter, calculator, copy
machines, telephone, etc.)
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Ability to operate 4-wheel drive, manual transmission vehicles
and farm machinery and chainsaws, and experience in general
maintenance of equipment.
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Comfortable with the use of GIS/GPS technology and data;
willingness to explore new technologies.
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Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite and other programs as
needed.
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Good
research skills; fluency with internet information searches.
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Valid
Driver's License.
Qualifications: (e.g., education, training, experience, licenses
and skills)
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Must
hold a Bachelor's Degree or higher degree in life science or
related field.
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Minimum of three years related work experience in land
stewardship, restoration ecology or biological field work or
any equivalent combination of education and experience which
provides the skills knowledge and ability necessary to perform
the tasks.
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Demonstrated knowledge of ecology, natural history,
stewardship and restoration.
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Knowledge of California’s native ecological communities and
their natural processes desirable.
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Restricted use herbicide application license or willingness to
obtain and application experience.
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Ability to work cooperatively with a wide variety of people in
stressful conditions and maintain a positive attitude, follow
assignments closely and work independently of supervisor.
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Ability to keep organized and accurate records and work
efficiently without direct supervision.
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Innovative and creative problem solving skills when working
independently.
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Strong
communication and writing skills; comfortable with diverse
audiences, including public land managers, environmental
regulators, and volunteers.
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Demonstrated supervisory experience including the ability to
motivate, lead, set objectives and manage performance of staff
and/or volunteers.
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Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation,
ecological land management, and natural resource preservation.
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Some
knowledge of construction, plumbing, electrical and building
maintenance.
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Ability to work flexible hours. Willingness to work weekends
when needed.
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Ability to travel when required for research and training.
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Commitment to Audubon mission.
Physical
Requirements: (e.g., lifting, reaching, climb, push/pull, etc.)
The Land
Steward may work in variable weather conditions, at remote
locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under
physical demanding circumstances.
These
conditions:
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Ability to perform hard physical work for extended and
irregular periods, under adverse conditions and in all
extremes of weather.
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May
require considerable physical exertion and/or muscular
strain.
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Requires the ability to lift up to 60 pounds.
TIMING:
Applications will be accepted through September 15, 2007. This is
a two year position with renewal contingent upon funding.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Salary range $30,000 - $40,000, commensurate with education and
experience. Audubon California as a part of National Audubon
Society provides comprehensive medical, dental, life insurance,
long term disability benefits and a 403(b) retirement plan with
a matching employer contribution.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work location is in the office at the Kern River Preserve
headquarters in Weldon, California. This is a small
rural/tourist community in the Southern Sierra Nevada.
TO APPLY:
Please email or send resume and three letters of reference to:
Reed Tollefson
P.O. Box 1662
Weldon, CA 93283
(760) 378-2531 phone or email
to
rtollefson@audubon.org.
The Kern River Preserve is managed by Audubon-California for the
preservation one of California’s finest remaining riparian forests and
the wildlife it supports.
The National Audubon Society's
mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing
on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of
humanity and the Earth's biological diversity.
Audubon
promotes a diverse workplace and is an equal opportunity
employer. It is the policy of the National Audubon Society
to employ the person best qualified for the job regardless of
race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national
origin, disability (handicap) or marital status.
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