Manager, Land and Livestock Stewardship

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas towards a future where birds thrive because Audubon is a powerful, diverse, and ever-growing force for conservation. Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the hemisphere and more than 1.5 million active supporters.

North America has lost three billion birds since 1970, and more than 500 bird species are at risk of extinction across Latin America and the Caribbean. Birds act as early warning systems about the health of our environment, and they tell us that birds – and our planet – are in crisis. Together as one Audubon, we are working to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss. We do this by implementing on-the-ground conservation, partnering with local communities, influencing public and corporate policy, and building community.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon brings new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Reporting to the Senior Center Manager, the Manager, Land and Livestock Stewardship will coordinate and execute all day-to-day onsite farm operations. This position will develop and lead implementation of Aullwood Audubon’s Comprehensive Habitat Management Plan, focusing on long and short-term objectives using current best practices to restore, maintain and enhance restoration and management activities across 200 acres of grasslands, forests, wetlands and working lands of Aullwood Audubon, with a special emphasis on grassland bird habitat at the farm. The Land and Livestock Stewardship Manager will lead a team and think critically, relying on strong organizational skills and knowledge of Southwest Ohio’s native ecological communities to meet stewardship, management, and operational goals and priorities. This position is in-person at Aullwood Audubon, Monday through Friday. Core hours are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with seasonal or project-related variations as needed.

Compensation:

$60,000-$70,000 / year

• Develop measurable goals and action plans for habitat restoration and management at Aullwood Audubon (Habitat Management Plan).
• Oversee the care of Aullwood’s livestock ambassadors including nutrition, health, breeding, vet care, slaughter, and grazing best practices.
• Supervise regular and intern staff through establishment of work objectives and priorities, reviewing and revising these objectives on an ongoing basis to guide and mentor team members in their work progress.
• Develop and execute techniques that maximize the diversity of native flora and fauna while minimizing exotic and invasive species.
• Develop grant proposals and secure funding to support project delivery.
• Plan and execute annual prescribed burning program.
• Consult with additional experts about management plans that benefit species of conservation concern.
• Establish strategies through analysis of past techniques and results from the field.
• Develop and lead collaborations with local landowners, Farm Bureaus, Soil & Water Conservation organizations, and others focused on improving habitat conservation and management.
• Provide technical assistance to Miami Valley landowners and work with other partners and partner programs and resources to advance the habitat management goals of Aullwood Audubon.
• Support education programs and outreach activities as needed.
• Assist with Aullwood’s special events and festivals and the cultivation of supporters such as volunteers, donors, members and others.
• Collaborate with and support the work of Aullwood’s Maintenance Team, including assisting in maintaining a safe and clean condition of facility grounds including pastures, trails, fences, bridges, driveways, sidewalks, boardwalks, and landscaping around the building to ensure safety of visitors and staff.
• Maintain in a safe and clean operating condition all facility vehicles, maintenance equipment, tools and buildings, with a primary focus at the Farm.
• Perform maintenance as required including mowing, raking, chainsaw work, basic carpentry, painting, and clean up.
• Perform all record keeping related to livestock care, maintenance, and land management, using GIS software to track management and results. Prepare ad-hoc reporting when requested.
• Act as a representative of Aullwood Audubon in professional organizations and meetings pertaining to agricultural and natural resource management.
• Develop measurable goals and action plans and monitor progress.
• Collaborate with center leadership to recruit and manage volunteers to support land management activities.
• Manage and track farm and land management operating expenses and revenues.
• Partner with Audubon staff to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

• 5 years of related work experience in farm management, livestock care and breeding, land stewardship, restoration ecology, or biological fieldwork.
• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, agriculture, life science, forestry, environmental studies, or related field preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• 2+ years of supervisory experience preferred.
• Ability to implement EDIB practices in all aspects of work.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ecology, natural history, stewardship, and restoration (knowledge of Ohio’s s native ecological communities and their natural processes a plus).
• Understanding of avian ecology a plus.
• Ability to work cooperatively with a wide variety of people, follow assignments closely, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to keep organized and accurate records and work efficiently without direct supervision.
• A high degree of initiative and motivation, as well as innovative and creative problem-solving skills when working independently.
• Excellent communication skills; comfortable with diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, ecological land management, and natural resource preservation, including but not limited to prescribed burning, regenerative grazing, and woodland management.
• Knowledge of and experience with herbicide application and best practices. Able and willing to attain an Herbicide Applicator License within a reasonable time once hired.
• Ability to operate various types of equipment with or without accommodation, including but not limited to 4-wheel drive vehicles, pulling trailers, Gators, lawnmowers, tractors, other farm machinery, chainsaws, various hand tools, as well as experience in general maintenance of equipment.
• Basic knowledge of facility maintenance.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite, GIS, statistical analysis software, and other computer programs as needed.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends, evenings, and holidays, when needed.
• Willing and able to work outdoors in variable weather conditions on uneven terrain and under physically demanding circumstances with or without accommodation.
• Ability to perform hard physical work for extended and irregular periods, under adverse conditions and in all extremes of weather, with or without accommodation.
• Must be able to lift up to 60 pounds and be able to bend, twist, push, and pull for duties with or without accommodation.
• Ability to travel when required for research, attending meetings, and training.
• Commitment to Audubon’s mission.

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

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