Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust

Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust Job Opening – Wildlands Steward

Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust seeks a skilled, detail-oriented person who loves people and the outdoors to fill the newly-created position of Steward for the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands in East Orland. This position will start July 1 and be part-time, year-round, with flexible hours.

Job Summary Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust (GPMCT) owns and operates the 4,300-acre Great Pond Mountain Wildlands in East Orland. This property is managed for wildlife habitat and low-impact recreation, with about 15 miles of gravel roads and trails open to the public. GPMCT has an active management program with a strong corps of stewardship volunteers, and visitation on the property is rising. GPMCT seeks a part-time Wildlands Steward to oversee and build its stewardship program, including organizing and managing volunteers, patrolling the property and overseeing land management and maintenance of roads, trails, parking lots, boundaries and more.

Successful applicants will have strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills; a background in natural resource management; and practical experience in all facets of land management.

This year-round, half-time position is budgeted at $20,000 per year with a potential for future growth. Mileage reimbursed while on the job site or fulfilling duties. Professional development opportunities available. The successful candidate will initially be hired for a one-year term, with a 90-day probationary period. Position will report to the Director.

Job Duties The Wildlands Steward’s duties include:

 Volunteer management o Organizing and managing Stewardship volunteers in the field o Working with staff and Stewardship Committee to develop our volunteer recruitment, training and recognition programs

 Land Management o Overseeing maintenance of roads, parking lots, trails, buildings, signs, kiosks, boundaries and other physical aspects of property. o Working with Resource Conservation District and others to plan and oversee erosion control and repair measures o Working with the Stewardship Committee, volunteer crews and forester to implement the forest management plan, oversee invasive species monitoring and removal, and monitor habitats and rare species. o Working with volunteers to create and update Wildlands maps, and use mapping software for monitoring habitats, road conditions, etc.  Stewardship Planning o Working with the Stewardship Committee to develop annual work plans. o Working with staff to obtain grant funding for Stewardship projects and assisting with Wildlands fundraising events  Public Outreach o Patrolling the property at busy times, greeting visitors, enforcing our guidelines and responding to any urgent situations. o Assisting with and/or leading public educational and recreational events. o Building cooperative, effective working relationships with partner agencies, neighbors, community groups, local schools, and others.  Administration o Organizing and maintaining Stewardship files o Working with the Finance Committee to develop and administer the Wildlands Stewardship budget. o Report to Stewardship Committee and/or Board on land management activities.

Skills and Experience The Steward position requires ability to work independently or as a team, with a wide range of people; good verbal and written communication skills; tact, diplomacy and humor, as well as assertiveness; attention to detail and organization; commitment to conservation; physical fitness; computer expertise; a valid driver’s license and reliable and rugged transportation. Skills with hand/power tools and experience with trail/road maintenance are important. The Steward must be able and willing to respond quickly to rare emergency situations, to work some weekend hours in summer/fall and attend monthly evening meetings year-round. The ideal candidate would be knowledgeable about local flora and fauna and have at least one year successful work experience in conservation, forestry, park management or a related field.

How to Apply Mail or e-mail letter, resume and 3 references to: GPMCT, PO Box 266, Orland ME 04472 or [email protected] Deadline is June 6, 2008. For more information, e- mail or call 469-7190.

Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer.