« Back

Seasonal Stewardship Technician

The Stewardship Technician will participate in various preserve management activities related to conservation, restoration, and visitor experience throughout the Albany Pine Bush Preserve.

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission (APBPC) is a public-private partnership created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP) and provide the public with educational and recreational opportunities. The Management Plan for the Albany Pine Bush Preserve guides all aspects of creating and managing the preserve.

The 3,400+ - acre APBP, located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch-pine scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary fire-dependent ecosystem provides habitat for many plants and animals, including more than 20 percent of New York State’s wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, such as the endangered Karner blue butterfly. The APBP is a National Natural Landmark, Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Site, National Recreation Trail Site, a New York State Unique Area, Birding Trail Site and Bird Conservation Area, and a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area. Characterized by rolling sand dunes and over 20 miles of trails, the APBP offers visitors with a variety of interests many recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing.

As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center at 195 New Karner Road, Albany, is a “green” certified interpretive center where visitors come to understand why the Pine Bush is rare and special. This unique destination provides for exciting exploration where learning comes naturally through interactive exhibits, an outdoor Discovery Trail, and numerous programs on the ecology, natural history, cultural history and management of the Pine Bush.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Primary duties will include:  Native seed collection, invasive species removal, trails work, and boundary posting/maintenance.  Other activities include: facility/equipment maintenance, tree planting, erosion control, GPS/GIS work, trash removal, firebreak prep, and data entry.  Once qualified, stewardship technicians will assist with prescribed fire operations, which include: day of burn prep, ignition, control, suppression, and mop-up.
 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in natural resource management or equivalent experience
  • Experience and/or interest in land management, preserve management, conservation, restoration and prescribed burning
  • Ability to operate various types of tools and equipment, such as: power and hand tools, brush cutters, ATVs, farm tractors, and skid steers in a safe and efficient manner
  • Experience operating chainsaws, official training/certification is highly desirable
  • Willingness to receive herbicide applicator training and to apply herbicides
  • Willingness to receive prescribed burning training and participate in prescribed burning
  • Ability and willingness to perform difficult physical work for extended periods, under adverse conditions and in various extremes of weather
  • Excellent plant identification skills
  • Excellent physical conditioning and the ability to complete the arduous level work capacity test for prescribed burning wildland fire operations (https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5112313.pdf)
  • Ability to use maps, GPS, GIS, and aerial photos; ability to orient oneself in the field
  • Valid state or international driver’s license, experience with towing trailers is a plus
  • Ability and willingness to work occasional weekends
  • Experience with computers and ArcMap GIS software
  • Willingness to perform a variety of tasks, both in the office and in the field
  • Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work in both group settings, and independently
  • Innovative critical thinking skills, ability to problem solve in the field
  • Ability to follow instructions from supervisors and colleagues
  • Ability to communicate effectively
  • First aid/CPR training and certification is desirable


Job Title: Stewardship Technician (2 positions)
Department: Stewardship
Supervisor: Preserve Steward & Botanist
Location: Albany, NY 
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Classification of Position:  Full-time, Seasonal
Dates of Employment: March 25 – October 18, 2024 (30 weeks)
Compensation and Hours Per Week: $17.00/hr, 37.5 hours per week
Housing: Limited housing may be available as a taxable benefit

 

Date Posted: 01-26-2024

Expire Date: 02-16-2024

Contact Name: Jesse Hoffman

Contact Email: jhoffman@albanypinebush.org

Additional Instructions:

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 16, 2024
Please e-mail cover letter, résumé, and 4 references to:
jhoffman@albanypinebush.org
Please put: STEWTECH 2024 in the subject line
On your references page, please include the statement: “I give you permission to contact my references”

« Back