Caretaker for the Byrne-Milliron Forest

Position Title: Byrne-Milliron Caretaker
Department Land Stewardship
Reports to Stewardship Manager
Date October 22, 2024
Status Part Time/Non-Exempt
Wage Range $25-$30/hour

Job Summary:
Nestled in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Byrne-Milliron Forest is a truly special place. This 400-acre forested sanctuary offers a tranquil setting surrounded by towering redwoods, diverse wildlife, and miles of scenic trails. The caretaker will reside in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home, complete with expansive windows that frame sweeping vistas of Corralitos and the Pajaro Valley, and a spacious deck perfect for taking in the scenery. This position offers more than just a place to live—it’s a chance to immerse yourself in the forest’s natural splendor every day.

The Byrne-Milliron Caretaker is responsible for day-to-day caretaking of the 400-acre Byrne-Milliron Forest. This position entails tasks focused on the experience of visitors to the property and maintenance of trails and roads and other public access facilities. The Byrne-Milliron Caretaker reports to the Stewardship Manager, with matrixed reporting and collaboration with the Stewardship Team.

The Byrne-Milliron Caretaker is an hourly part-time position of 8-10 hours of work each week, including weekends. The Caretaker is required to live on site in the rental house provided on the property in Corralitos. The Caretaker is charged a monthly rent of $1,875 per month, which is a 25% reduction from market rate, a non-taxable benefit for fulfilling the requirement of living on site.

The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County operates in an ecologically and demographically diverse region of central California. We recognize that our organization does not represent the human diversity of our region that will enhance our work and impact.

The Land Trust aspires to be an organization representative of the communities we serve. We are looking for people with a passion for nature, land protection, and teamwork. We encourage everyone to apply for our available positions, even if they don’t meet all the hiring criteria listed in the job description.

Job Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Stewardship Manager to set priorities and understand our approach to visitor services
• Engage visitors with a welcoming presence that encourages responsible behavior
• Enforce rules by firmly communicating with visitors and coordinating when appropriate with security services and the County Sheriff
• Maintain clean and attractive visitor areas, promptly collecting litter and dog waste, remove graffiti, coordinate porta-potty service, and haul trash to service bins
• Routinely maintain kiosk, signs, donor recognition installations, and other trail features
• Maintain access road by trimming brush, monitoring culverts during wet weather, ensuring safety mirrors are functional and keeping turnouts visible
• Maintain trail to spring and maintain domestic water system
• Trim brush and remove fallen branches from trails
• Assist with member events and tours, as needed
• Perform other tasks and responsibilities as assigned

Required Job Knowledge, Skills, Ability & Experience:

• Ability to interact effectively with many personalities
• Ability to work alone to implement Land Trust priorities
• Ability to maintain clear and accurate records
• Ability to navigate the forest and use maps and/or GPS
• Ability to safely maintain vegetation using loppers and power trimmers
• Ability and knowledge to maintain tools and equipment
• Excellent verbal communication skills and ability to interact effectively with partners, neighbors, and staff
• Hold a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and be capable of driving safely in city, rural and 4 wheel-drive conditions to fulfill job duties
• Ability to hike comfortably several miles, while safely performing outdoor work that involves carrying up to 40 pounds on varied terrain (steep, muddy, heavily vegetated and/or sandy conditions), in hot or cold temperatures and with potential exposure to poison oak, ticks, mountain lions and other wildland hazards

Preferred Job Knowledge, Skills, Ability & Experience:

• Love of the outdoors and recreation
• Natural resource or public access management work experience
• Training (or willing to learn) in operation of other power tools, including an ATV, and abide by proper protective equipment guidelines
• An appreciation for the conservation of natural lands and working forests, and the role of land trusts in that effort

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