Full-Time Regional Stewardship Lead
Job Description
Job Title: Regional Stewardship Lead
Reports to: Deputy Director
Location: Burns, Oregon (or other regional locations)
Classification: Full-time/Exempt
Compensation: $55-75K DOQ with medical/dental, retirement benefits, generous vacation/leave.
Application deadline: Open until filled
About Oregon Desert Land Trust
The Oregon Desert Land Trust (ODLT) works with landowners, Tribes, land managers and other partners to conserve and restore private land throughout the region. These wild and working lands are critical to ecological, economic, and community health.
Oregon’s high desert is characterized by small towns and working ranches scattered among mountains, rivers, and canyons. Similar to other areas in the West, the region is experiencing turnover in land ownership driven by inter-generational shifts in the ranching sector and increasing demand for recreational properties. With support from volunteers with decades of experience in real estate, law, ranching, business, and conservation science, as well as our relationships with landowners and knowledge of the region, ODLT has already conserved nearly 20,000 acres.
ODLT is committed to maintaining an inclusive environment. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives and voices.
Position Summary
ODLT owns properties across Oregon’s high desert. Most recently, ODLT established one of Oregon’s largest conservation projects by purchasing the 16,645-acre Trout Creek Ranch. The property helps connect more than a million acres of wildlife habitat and includes livestock grazing permits on nearly 500,000 acres of public land. Partnerships on research efforts and conservation management will help establish regional conservation goals, test innovative stewardship techniques, and develop new, collaborative land management strategies on wild and working lands for wildlife and people.
The Regional Stewardship Lead has three primary responsibilities: (1) Coordinating management and restoration activities on Trout Creek Ranch, a significant conservation holding in southeast Oregon; (2) Coordinating stewardship of ODLT’s conservation interests—including fee lands and conservation easements; and (3) Supporting regional efforts and partnerships (e.g., SageCon, Intermountain West Joint Venture) that protect and amplify ODLT’s on-the-ground investments.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinating Restoration, Innovation, and Outreach on Land Trust properties (50%)
- Work with ODLT staff, the Nature Conservancy, and other partners to accomplish the ecological objectives of the Trout Creek Ranch and Pueblo Mountains management plan.
- The Regional Stewardship Lead will coordinate with NGOs, agencies, volunteers, and other partners to identify, fund, and implement restoration strategies and projects.
- Work with The Nature Conservancy, neighboring landowners, educational institutions, and other partners to identify opportunities to test or develop innovative management or restoration techniques.
- Work with ODLT staff, board, and volunteers to identify and implement outreach opportunities with local and regional schools, partners, and the public.
General Stewardship and Acquisition Support (25%)
- Coordinate management and inspection of ODLT lands.
- Lead baseline inventory documentation (ecological surveys, site descriptions, historical use, restoration potential, etc.) on new conservation projects.
- Work with other ODLT staff to develop and update management plans for ODLT lands.
- Engage ODLT staff and board in balancing agricultural interests, natural and cultural resource values, recreational access, and other values on ODLT lands.
- Recruit, train, organize, and support volunteers for property monitoring, trail work, invasive plant removal, structure maintenance, plantings, and natural resource inventories.
- Manage stewardship contracts and communicating with or reporting to funders, partners, and regulatory agencies.
- Help build and maintain a culture of collaboration among stakeholders, including grazing lessees, recreationists, scientific community, school groups, and ODLT volunteers.
Participating in Regional Stewardship Efforts (25%)
- Represent ODLT at meetings and conferences throughout Oregon’s high desert with a focus on neighboring landowners, land managers, Tribal members, and non-profit partners and serve as a technical assistance and referral resource for effectively managing land and wildlife.
- Assist the Outreach Coordinator by providing information for monthly e-news and other communications materials and by preparing and delivering presentations, memos and other documents.
- Work with outreach staff, volunteer tour leaders, schools, and partner organizations on interpretive and educational materials and opportunities.
Desired Qualifications
The qualifications required to excel in this position can come from a range of both professional and lived experience. Below we’ve described what we believe to be important qualifications for a candidate but we recognize the diversity of experiences that can create these skill sets. We strongly encourage you to apply if you believe you have what it takes to thrive as ODLT’s Regional Stewardship Lead.
- Degree in and/or related experience in land management, natural resource management, or similar field. Master’s Degree in related field or equivalent experience preferred.
- Experience managing sensitive species and understanding of concepts related to ecosystem restoration and management.
- A team player with strong diplomacy, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with landowners, the public, media, professional colleagues and government entities.
- Proven experience implementing complex or multiple projects, including managing staff/volunteers, contractors, workload and finance.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, and GPS devices.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.
Working Environment:
- Regularly required to hike through a variety of habitat types and terrain, walking over uneven ground, climbing over obstacles, and accessing remote locations.
- Regularly sits or stands at a desk or computer workstation.
- Regularly required to operate a 4×4 vehicle.
- Frequently works in an environment that involves coordinating with lessees and contractors, working closely with other ODLT staff and volunteers.
- 40-hour work week but may require evening and weekend work and travel.
- Occasionally lifts, positions, or otherwise moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
How to Apply
- Please email a PDF cover letter and resume to [email protected] with “Regional Stewardship Lead” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
- Additional information about ODLT can be found on our website at www.oregondesertlandtrust.org. You can also subscribe to our eNewsletter to receive updates on our work or read recent articles about our work by visiting the Good Reads section of our website.