Seasonal Trail Maintenance and Stewardship Assistant at Nantucket Conservation Foundation

Description

Organization Overview

The Nantucket Conservation Foundation (NCF) owns, protects, and stewards over 9,000 acres of land and coastal shoreline on Nantucket Island, MA, conserves the island’s rare and significant natural resources, and engages in impactful ecological research to inform resource management and further our knowledge of Nantucket’s unique ecosystems and species. NCF shares its environmental expertise with the wider community and provides educational and recreational opportunities to encourage respectful enjoyment and appreciation of its properties. For more information on NCF, its mission, and current projects, please see the Foundation’s website www.nantucketconservation.org.

Job Summary

The Trail Maintenance & Stewardship Assistant is responsible for maintaining and monitoring the Foundation’s network of walking and biking trails across its properties. Working under the supervision of the Land Use Manager and Land Maintenance Manager, this role ensures trails are safe, accessible, and maintained in accordance with the Trail Management Plan. The Assistant also supports the broader Land Management team with property maintenance tasks as needed.

Specific Responsibilities 

1.    Responsible for mowing and maintaining trails according to the Trail Management Plan.

2.   Performs maintenance tasks under the direction of the Land Use Manger & Land Maintenance Manager. This includes but is not limited to trail monitoring, trail mowing, brush cutting/trimming, trash and debris removal, washout repair and stabilization,

3.   Responsible for monitoring trails and reporting maintenance needs to Land Maintenance Manager.

4.  Assist Land Management team to accomplish tasks that include but are not limited to: field mowing, brush cutting, bush trimming, lawn care, trash and debris removal, logo post installation, fencing installation, sign posting, road repair, tree removal, and wood chipping.

5. Keeps equipment and vehicles clean and well maintained.

6.  Reports resource needs to the Land Maintenance Manager

Requirements

Qualifications: This position requires the ability to perform sustained manual labor, work both independently and as part of a team, and safely operate a pickup truck or SUV. A valid driver’s license and solid driving experience are required.

Desired Qualifications:  Previous experience doing manual labor. Competency with Microsoft programs, especially Word and Excel. Strong observational, critical thinking and organizational skills are preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: This is a field work intensive position and applicants must be able to tolerate adverse field conditions. Field work includes inclement weather, variable terrain, poison ivy and biting insects (mosquitoes, deer ticks). Nantucket is an area with a high incidence of tick-borne disease so precautions to minimize risk are encouraged. The work involves hiking, standing, bending, kneeling, digging, and hauling field gear on a routine basis.

Dates/Hours: This is a full-time, temporary and seasonal position beginning in early-mid May and ending in early-mid September; exact dates are somewhat flexible. Hours are 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm. Occasional weekend work will be required for certain field projects and non-profit special events.

Location: The Nantucket Conservation Foundation is located on Nantucket Island, MA ~ 30 miles south of Cape Cod. Nantucket is dominated by sandplain grasslands, coastal heathlands, and scrub oak shrublands (all rare habitats in the Northeast) as well as barrier beaches, coastal plain ponds and tidal marshes.

Benefits

Wages/Benefits: Wage is $25 per hour, based on a 40-hour work week. Housing is provided in a shared, employee house for a nominal fee. Work-related transportation is provided but is not available after working hours.