Seasonal Land Steward

The Falmouth Land Trust (FLT) is hiring a Seasonal Land Steward to join our small team based in Falmouth, Maine. FLT values diverse viewpoints and experiences. We strive to build a healthy workplace, provide equitable access to and meaningful connections with the land, and strengthen our community. The values that guide decision-making include incorporating many voices and perspectives, learning from the past while preparing for the future, and that everyone deserves access to land. If you have a passion for this work, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all requirements as we are happy to discuss your unique skill sets. 

We are seeking a Seasonal Land Steward to support the implementation of FLT’s land stewardship program, working on our public lands and monitoring conservation easements. Duties include preserve and trail maintenance, active land management and volunteer engagement. The position will work out of our office in Falmouth, ME and focus on conserved lands in different parts of Falmouth. The position will run from May through October, with some flexibility available for the successful applicant.

This position reports to the Stewardship Manager and is an opportunity to engage in hands-on conservation work, volunteer management and land stewardship through trail maintenance, monitoring and managing our Second Saturdays Volunteer events. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Work under the direction of Falmouth Land Trust’s Stewardship Manager on stewardship projects including but not limited to clearing trail corridors, repairing bridges, updating trail blazes, regular string-trimming (weed-whacking), trash cleanup and invasive plant removal. (60%)

Assist the Stewardship Manager with both boots on the ground and remote monitoring of all land parcels in our portfolio (30%)

Lead volunteer groups to accomplish larger trail or invasive plant removal projects (10%)

Qualifications

• Knowledge of conservation, outdoor manual labor, wildlife ecology, environmental studies, land conservation or related fields from well informed sources be it formal education, cultural knowledge or long personal study.
• Proficiency or strong interest in the use and maintenance of chainsaws, polesaws, battery-powered string trimmers and similar power tools.
• experience with trail building, maintenance, sustainable trail design, and public relations.
• Understanding of basic plant identification, with particular emphasis on species that are invasive to the State of Maine.
• Experience or strong interest with planning and leading monthly volunteer workdays, communicating with volunteer preserve stewards, and recruiting new community volunteers. Comfortable with communicating with local community groups.
• Basic carpentry, landscaping, equipment troubleshooting, and independent problem solving a plus.
• Interest in assisting with supervising Maine jobshiringnearme.org Corps Trail crews and seasonal student interns.
• Ability to work independently, with members of the public, and collaboratively as part of a team
• Must possess a valid driver’s license
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check

Physical Requirements/ Working Conditions 

• Able to often lift objects up to 50 pounds
• Comfort and experience with various hand and power tools
• Able to frequently hike on and off-trail in wooded areas and steep slopes
• Able to work outdoors in challenging environmental conditions alone

Timing, Compensation, and Benefits 

This is a full-time, seasonal (24 week), 40 hours per week position, Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm with occasional weekend or evening work for special events. The ideal position term is May-October, but we can accommodate college schedules or overlapping seasonal positions. 

Position hours can be somewhat flexible to accommodate illness, hazardous weather conditions, and family vacations.

Salary range: $20-22/hour