LAND STEWARDSHIP ASSOCIATE (SEASONAL)
Conservancy of the Sea Islands seeks candidates for the position of Land Stewardship Associate. This seasonal position/internship (funded for 12 weeks of part-time contract employment) is open until filled.
About Conservancy of the Sea Islands: Conservancy of the Sea Islands is a land trust and leader in science-based education, environmental restoration, and conservation across Johns, Kiawah, and Seabrook Islands. Founded in 1997, we forever safeguard the lands, waters, and wildlife that define our distinct way of life. Working with property owners, community members, and a wide range of public and private partners, we forever protect vital assets and inspire residents and visitors alike to champion the land’s enduring legacy through meaningful, everyday actions.
Conservancy of the Sea Islands is an accredited land trust through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, meeting the highest standards for protecting land forever. To date, we have preserved 86 properties totaling more than 3,887 acres of ecologically significant land across Johns, Kiawah, and Seabrook Islands.
About the Position: This position reports to the Executive Director, receives day-to-day direction from the Land Stewardship Team, and provides significant support to the Conservancy’s land conservation, restoration, and stewardship efforts. This position will work from our office on Johns Island. Intelligence, attention to detail, organizational skills, teamwork, flexibility, and good judgment will be critical to success. In addition to working with our staff, you will also have frequent interaction with volunteers, the Conservancy’s Board of Trustees, and community partners. The position will require a mix of office and administrative work, as well as substantial fieldwork across Johns, Kiawah, and Seabrook Islands on conservation lands held by the Conservancy.
Key Land Stewardship Responsibilities:
- Perform annual monitoring for the Conservancy’s protected lands (owned properties and conservation easements).
- Generate reports for protected lands site visits.
- Manage and file stewardship records in accordance with the Conservancy’s record keeping policy.
- Work with the Land Preservation Specialist to develop an enhanced file management system for land stewardship documents.
- Develop land management and ecological restoration plans for Conservancy-owned properties.
- Update baseline documentation and habitat assessments of older protected properties.
- Review and update conservation easements.
Other Responsibilities:
- Contribute to outreach and communications work (e.g. write newsletter articles, record videos) as needed.
- Develop updated materials and information for Conservancy-maintained interpretive trail signage.
- Assist with the Conservancy’s Naturally Kiawah Habitat Recognition Program (front yard habitat) and programs at our demonstration gardens as needed.
- Attend various committee meetings.
- General horticulture tasks include but are not limited to planting, pruning, weeding, watering, fertilizing, and animal/insect control.
- Assist with garden design, plant ordering, and installation.
- Placement and maintenance of small structures in the gardens.
- Upkeep signage and pathways.
- Attending and providing information at garden/trail education programs.
- Operating small power equipment (i.e. leaf blower, weed eater, electric chainsaw).
- Invasive species identification, removal, and documentation.
- Litter removal.
- Assist with the oyster recycling program.
Required Attributes, Expectations, Technical Skills, and Competencies:
- Work towards a bachelor’s or master’s degree in natural resources, ecology, botany, environmental sciences, land stewardship, land management, and/or a conservation-related field.
- Basic knowledge of land conservation, land trusts, or similar conservation organizations or equivalent.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Ability to work outside in hot, humid, and buggy conditions, while occasionally traversing wetlands at low tide.
- Knowledge of native and invasive plants in coastal South Carolina.
- Experience with GPS/GIS.
- Ability to work on weekends and evenings as needed.
Compensation and benefits: $15 per hour for undergraduate / $20 per hour for graduates; no benefits.
How to apply: Please email a single PDF with your cover letter, resume, and list of three references to: collie@kiawahconservancy.org.
No phone calls please. Candidate applications will be reviewed until the position is filled with an immediate start date. No phone calls please.
Conservancy of the Sea Islands is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, or marital status.