Stewardship Coordinator

BACKGROUND
Friends of the Columbia Gorge was founded in 1980 and has more than 5,000 members in Oregon, Washington, and beyond dedicated to preserving, protecting, and stewarding the Columbia Gorge. With offices in Portland and Hood River, Oregon and Washougal, Washington, the organization uses an array of tools (advocacy, litigation, land acquisition, community partnerships and public education) to ensure the Columbia Gorge remains a wondrous and vibrant place. In 2005, Friends launched the Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust, a 509(a)(3) supporting organization, to acquire spectacular landscapes within the Columbia Gorge.

SUMMARY OF POSITION
The Stewardship Coordinator works in support of the Stewardship Manager and Land Trust Director to advance the work of Friends Land Trust and ensure compliance with Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices. This position provides core support for our stewardship, land acquisition, volunteer engagement, land use permitting, and public access programs. The Coordinator also serves a core role in advancing cooperative land management opportunities.

The primary responsibility is to implement ecological management activities on Land Trust preserves and to assist with other stewardship projects. The Coordinator is responsible for conducting and documenting annual property monitoring for all land trust holdings. The position also manages residences (and other buildings) and tenants on land trust properties.

The Land Trust Coordinator, working in partnership with the Stewardship Volunteer Coordinator, helps to plan and implement land management activities and restoration efforts across land trust and publicly-managed lands.

The position requires regular interaction with co-workers, trustees, agency staffers, local partners, volunteers, donors, and members of the public. The Land Trust Coordinator does not supervise any staff, but will direct volunteers and contractors as appropriate.

ACTIVITIES
LAND STEWARDSHIP & RESTORATION
• Provide general assistance with stewardship, restoration and management of public access on land trust properties
• Manage invasive weed treatments on sites consistent with Preserve Management Plans.
• Manage the Land Trust’s annual property monitoring program, including baseline documentation and annual monitoring of all Land Trust properties. Conduct in-person site visits, photo documentation, and preparation of monitoring reports.
• Oversees rental and common use facilities owned by the land trust, including tenant communications and general repairs
• Evaluate potential encroachments on fee-owned properties and, in consultation with the Land Trust Director, Stewardship Manager and/or attorney as appropriate, develop and implement Friend’s response
• Work with Stewardship Manager to prioritize, design, develop, and carry out ecological restoration activities
• Install signs, boundary markers, and other property improvements
• Oversees trail closures as necessary

PLANNING AND PERMITTING
• Conduct property site visits to evaluate and document natural resources, conservation values, species inventories, land use practices, property boundaries, features and conditions. GIS mapping of property features and projects as needed
• Prepare baseline documentation for new conservation properties and assist with the development and implementation of Site Management Plans
• Annually update preserve Wildfire Response Plans and disseminate to local emergency response agencies
• Review and understand land use restrictions and permitting requirements in the National Scenic Area. Assist with land use permit applications for various land management activities.

GIS, RECORDKEEPING AND PROGRAM SUPPORT
• Provide GIS and mapping support for land trust program, compile and update maps of existing, and potential land trust properties
• Procure materials, supplies, and equipment to carry out stewardship activities
• Assist with development of grant applications for land acquisition, stewardship, and trails projects
• Maintain organizational files documenting stewardship work on all conservation lands, including both paper and electronic files
• Manage land trust records in compliance with recordkeeping standards established by organizational policy and the Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices

PARTNERSHIPS, VOLUNTEERS AND CROSS-BOUNDARY STEWARDSHIP
• Plan and lead volunteer work parties focused on stewardship and restoration of land trust properties or other publicly-owned lands
• Develop and cultivate positive relationships with public and tribal land managers to advance cross-boundary stewardship activities and tribal access opportunities
• Support stewardship capacity and impact through recruitment, training and retention of dedicated volunteer Land Stewards
• Work in partnership with the Volunteer Coordinator to engage and inspire volunteers in order to complete stewardship tasks and cultivate retention
• Monitors development and updates of core guidance documents and organizational policies for stewardship volunteers along with Volunteer Coordinator

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
• Attend monthly Land Trust Board meetings
• Participate in organizational trainings and activities focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Assist Communications Director and Outreach Specialist as needed with community outreach and social media opportunities
• Participate in fundraising and other outreach events as needed

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in conservation, natural resources, ecology or other relevant field
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs
• Proficient in ESRI programs such as ArcMap and ArcMap Pro
• Valid, insurable driver’s license
• Ability to work independently in the field
• Able to work, or be on call, some non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends
• Experience and/or training with mechanical and hand tools
• Current Washington State Herbicide Applicator license or willingness to get license within six months of hire

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Certification in first aid, CPR, or wilderness first aid and knowledge of ecology, outdoor education, and Pacific Northwest conservation useful
• Experience with invasive plant species utilizing Best Management Practices for control and removal
• Prior land trust experience such as land conservation and/or stewardship experience

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Starting salary range is $21.00 – $24.00 hourly, commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits include generous vacation time and holidays, health insurance for employee and dependents along with an employer-matched retirement plan.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE (DEIJ) WORK AND ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE
The Columbia Gorge has been home to Indigenous peoples since time immemorial, stewarding the land and waters of this region long before European colonization and the western idea of environmentalism. Friends of the Columbia Gorge is dedicated to ensuring the Columbia Gorge remains a place of wonder for generations to come. Whether it is the land, water, wildlife, people, Tribes, or communities, each is dependent upon the others for the Gorge to truly thrive. This is not possible without representing and engaging tribal as well as other diverse communities and individuals who share a connection to this special place.
Friends is deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within our culture, practices, and policies. We support all who are connected to the Columbia Gorge including Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, as well as people of all genders, classes, and people with disabilities.
Read our full DEIJ statement here.
EEO POLICY
Friends is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other protected status in accordance with local, state, and federal law.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoffs, recalls, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT
This position requires approximately 40% of the time sitting or standing at a desk, using a computer, and talking on the phone. The work will include regular outdoor work, including land management activities, hiking, driving, and participating in outdoor activities. The ability to lift up to 50 pounds, work in various outdoor environmental conditions, and the ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid.

ADA STATEMENT
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

APPLICATION
Please send cover letter and resume to careers@gorgefriends.org with “Stewardship Coordinator” as the subject line no later than June 8, 2023. If possible, please combine all application materials into one PDF. In the body of the email, please identify where you found the job posting. Early applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Tagged as: environmental, Land Management, non-profit