Job Description: Land Steward

Employment Status: Regular/Full Time - Seasonal/Non-Exempt/Hourly

Reporting Structure:Lands Stewardship Supervisor

Benefits:Associate shall receive: 11 paid holidays, health and personal time off as described in the personnel policy handbook.

The Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) is a nonprofit 501(3)(c) organization, created in 2006, whose mission is to protect the Mojave Desert ecosystem and its scenic and cultural resource values. The work of MDLT aims to ensure stewardship and preservation of our ecologically sensitive desert lands and habitats in tandem with the many ways to enjoy and experience these unique places.

Central to the MDLT’s mission and fundamental to its success is the ability to acquire, care for, and convey lands that are essential in maintaining, creating, and expanding wildlife linkage corridors and protecting our public lands for the next generations in line.

Position Summary:

The Land Steward implements MDLT’s strategic land management objectives through planning, coordination and performance of monitoring, stewardship, and restoration activities on conservation lands protected by MDLT across the California Desert. Coordinate volunteers for land use monitoring and management while representing MDLT in the local and regional community to the public, agencies, and other conservation organizations. Create reports and ensure proper records are kept on all lands to meet grantor obligations and Land Trust Alliance standards. Works with the Conservation Director and Lands Stewardship Supervisor to ensure conservation values of protected lands are kept intact through stewardship actions.

Roles and Responsibilities:

  1. Implement land management plans and perform monitoring activities on fee title land, mitigation land, and restricted use agreements held on lands inside the Desert National Parks.
  2. Coordinate volunteer activities on conservation lands to achieve conservation goals efficiently.
  3. Collaborate with consulting services to meet land management objectives.
  4. Restore and clean disturbed lands to enhance conservation values.
  5. Represent MDLT regionally to private landowners, the public, agencies, and other conservation organizations while carrying out land management activities.
  6. Create stewardship reports to meet the organization’s recordkeeping obligations to grantors, regulators, and Land Trust Alliance standards.
  7. Create maps of land use and ownership to inform staff and Board decisions.
  8. Collaborate with partners, contractors and consultants to manage work load efficiently, both internally and externally.
  9. Represent MDLT at appropriate events and convenings.
  10. Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Traits:

  1. Degree in conservation-related areas plus field experience with land management and/or stewardship with an understanding of the conservation values in the California Desert.
  2. Proficient with ArcGIS software, geospatial procedures, and GPS navigation.
  3. Field experience, including but not limited to trail construction, wildlife and vegetation surveys, or related activities.
  4. Willingness to camp in remote areas for multiple days.
  5. Familiarity with desert plant and animal species preferred but not required.
  6. A genuine enthusiasm for conservation and a passion for the California desert.
  7. Desire to work in a highly collaborative team-based environment; excellent interpersonal skills.
  8. Exceptional skills in written and oral communications.
  9. Proven ability to work effectively with a wide range of people.
  10. Ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle and trailer.
  11. Proficiency with a variety of hand tools and power equipment.
  12. Ability to work occasional nights and weekends.
  13. Physical ability and willingness to work outdoors on difficult terrain and perform labor such as trail building and vegetation clearing; lift objects up to 50 lbs.
  14. Willingness and ability to travel, as required.
  15. Valid Class “C” driver’s license.

Education Requirements:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in conservation/stewardship related field.

Mojave Desert Land Trust proudly values diversity. We are an equal employment opportunity employer and are committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.