- Agency
- Spring Island Trust
- Location
- Okatie, SC
- Job Category
- Full time Positions
- Salary
- TBD; competitive
- Last Date to Apply
- 05/01/2023
- Website
- https://www.springislandtrust.org/
- Description
- The Spring Island Trust (SIT) is seeking a Natural Resources Manager with experience working in habitats in the coastal plain of the southeastern USA. This position is responsible for the management of over 1,000 acres of beautiful Lowcountry habitats within nature preserves on Spring Island, a sea island near Beaufort, South Carolina. The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated person with a passion for managing land to meet conservation needs, the ability to manage enthusiastic volunteers, and comfort working within a private community. Spring Island is a unique and beautiful place to work! The island is a 3,000 acre sea island located within the Port Royal Sound. It has a diversity of habitats including maritime forests, fire-managed pine savannas, early successional fields, and managed meadows, and is surrounded by an additional 3,000 acres of tidal marsh. Within this mix of habitat nestles a low-density residential community currently including approximately 350 homes dispersed throughout the island. The SIT was established as a non-profit in 1990. The mission of the SIT is to preserve and protect Spring Island’s environment and cultural history, providing education, expertise, and leadership in the conservation of natural resources throughout the Lowcountry. See www.springislandtrust.org for more information. Position Summary The Natural Resources Manager is the island’s leader for setting and meeting land management goals within our nature preserves. This role helps guide the management of: over 1,000 acres of natural preserves; landscapes around 350 island homes; and shared community spaces, including a community farm. All these tasks are collaborative, working with SIT staff as well as in conjunction with the island’s property owner’s association staff. This position will have a start date in late spring 2023. The salary range is competitive with comparable organizations in the region. Responsibilities There is an array of responsibilities listed here, but the critical responsibilities (and the necessary qualifications of applicants to this position) are related to self-directed time spent in the field managing habitats (including maintenance of relevant equipment) and the ability to lead fire-based management of savannah habitats. The core responsibilities include: · Maintaining the Natural Resources Management Plan, a document that tracks annual goals for land management (fire, seeding, invasives removal, mechanical removal of undesirable plants, etc.). This document is part of a larger one that tracks the long-term goals for all SIT properties on the island and details past approaches and their results. · Using fire to manage a variety of forest and field habitats, including longleaf pine savannah. · Coordinating co-workers, volunteers, and contractors as a team for fire management. · Control of invasive plants using mechanical and chemical means. · Maintaining positive working relationships with contractors. · Coordinate the details of the Land Management Team site visit, an annual event where regional experts provide technical review of land management goals and progress. · Manage volunteer efforts including direct land management programs, trail maintenance, and wildlife monitoring efforts (e.g., wood duck and trail cameras). · Responding to wildlife-related inquiries from Spring Island Members. This may include wildlife removal from properties or providing advice on mitigating wildlife conflicts. · Seeding and maintaining fields for wildlife and pollinator usage. · Collaborate with the island’s club/property owner’s association staff on joint habitat management efforts. · Additional responsibilities may be assigned, and likely include contributing to the community garden’s planning and oversight, educating through written and video contributions, and assistance in annual fundraising activities for the SIT.
- Qualifications
- Qualifications · Bachelor’s degree in natural resources management, wildlife ecology, or a related field. · At least three years of experience managing land in the coastal plan of the Southeastern USA. Five or more years is preferred. · Familiarity with identification of coastal plain herbaceous plants and trees. · Expertise in management of a variety of habitats using mechanical and chemical methods. Possess, or have the ability to obtain, a South Carolina Pesticide License. · Fire management experience and certification. The applicant should have, or have the ability to obtain, a South Carolina Prescribed Fire Manager Certification. · Experience directing contractors on significant projects. · Experience operating and maintaining (and ideally, minor repair) relevant equipment including tractors, bush hogs. · Proficiency with GIS and Microsoft software. · Ability to work as part of a team of colleagues in a non-profit setting. Additional, preferred qualifications · Experience managing volunteers and/or students. · Natural communication ability, including explaining management concepts to the general public. · Previous experience with maintaining impoundments is a plus. · Demonstrated commitment to staying up-to-date on best practices in land management through networking, conferences, and workshops. Working Conditions · Requires extended time in the field, including during typical Lowcountry (hot, humid, buggy) summer days. · Requires physical dexterity, including walking on uneven terrain off trails, and the ability to lift 50 pounds. · Involves some weekend, evening, and holiday commitments. To apply, please send a cover letter outlining relevant experience and explaining your interest in this position, a resume/CV, and the contact information for three references. Submit your application materials – preferably as a single PDF document – to springislandtrust@gmail.com Review of applications will begin as they are received.
- Contact Person
- Andy Jones, Executive Director
- Contact eMail
- springislandtrust@gmail.com
