Stewardship Manager - Ipswich MA

Description

What We Do. The Trustees of Reservations is one of Massachusetts’ largest non-profits and the oldest land trust in the nation. We are an organization with a fascinating past and an exciting future. Our places are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in what we do. Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, we preserve, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts and work to protect special places across the state. We have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including roughly 27,000 acres at over 100 reservations that are all open to the public. We are an organization funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and more than 50,000 members. Appleton Farms is operated by The Trustees and is a signature property of the organization’s agricultural portfolio.

Join Us. Appleton Farms, established in 1638, is the oldest continuously operating farm in the country. At almost 1000 acres, Appleton is a sustainable farm that grows healthy and delicious food for local families while modeling practices that contribute to a diverse ecological landscape where pollinators, birds, and wildlife thrive alongside our crops and livestock. The farm hosts year-round educational programs and events that foster a sense of place and deep appreciation for local food, farms, history, and nature. Appleton is one of The Trustees' highest visited properties and an important platform for engaging and introducing people to the agricultural work of the organization.

The Opportunity. The Stewardship Manager (SM) is a senior member of the Appleton Leadership Team and is responsible for ensuring that the year-round stewardship goals of the property are being met, including property security, routine maintenance, fleet and equipment maintenance, short and long-term planning, and supporting an excellent visitor experience. This position is responsible for supervising a small team of field staff and volunteers and collaborating with statewide program directors and specialist teams to follow The Trustees’ stewardship policies and guidelines, the Appleton Farms property management plan, and best land-use management practices. The Stewardship Manager is responsible for developing an annual scope and schedule of work in coordination with Trustees specialist teams, and supports, contributes to, and provides leadership for specialist projects as determined on a case-by-case basis. This position is instrumental in supporting Appleton’s visitor services infrastructure to ensure that visitors have an enjoyable, exceptional, and safe experience at the farm.

Are you a Match? We are seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic individual who believes in our mission and wants to advance their career. You bring joy, focus, and excellence to your day-to-day work with the capacity to collaborate with diverse internal and external partners, build and manage annual budgets and key performance indicators, and grow and oversee a team of staff and volunteers. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to land conservation and will bring over five years of related experience to the position. This position is highly independent and requires a self-leader with exceptional interpersonal skills. Experience working on a farm in New England is ideal.

Commitment and Responsibilities

The Stewardship Manager will work 40 hours per week on a varied schedule, to be determined.

Stewardship Leadership and Annual Planning and Management

• Professionally represent the organization as the primary public-facing stewardship leader at Appleton Farms and maintain positive and productive relationships with our members, neighbors, visitors, town officials, businesses, and Trustees staff from other divisions and regions. 

• Develop and oversee the goals of Appleton’s Annual Stewardship Plan including routine property maintenance and targeted completion of deferred maintenance projects in pursuit of 70% good Key Performance Indicator goals and communicate them to the greater Property team.

• Oversee and manage Appleton Farms’ stewardship annual operating budget and financial planning, including quarterly reporting and reforecasting.

• Provide collaborative and positive oversight, training, management, evaluation and recognition of Appleton Stewardship Department full-time and seasonal employees, volunteers, and interns.

• Partner with other property staff, including the Ecology, Agriculture, Enterprise, Education, Culinary and Engagement teams, to foster a shared sense of stewardship for Appleton Farms and Grass rides.

• Define and maintain Appleton Farms’ Standard Operating Procedures for Stewardship.

• Attend weekly and monthly Appleton leadership and staff meetings in addition to quarterly and annual Trustees Stewardship meetings and Best Practices Summit.

• Assist with field projects on other Trustees properties as required and perform additional duties as assigned by the Property Director and central Trustees Stewardship Department.  

Building, Grounds, Signage, and Equipment Maintenance and Security

• Ensure the landscapes, buildings, visitor amenities, wayfinding, gardens, and grounds are maintained and developed to the Trustees conservation standards and that the distinctive specialness of Appleton Farms is preserved. This includes basic carpentry, masonry, plumbing, mowing, invasive plant control, trash management, snow removal and grooming, maintaining parking areas and fences, trail construction and maintenance, tree work, equipment maintenance, and vegetation management.

• Oversees larger landscaping and grounds projects involving staff or contractors.

• Safely and efficiently operates, maintains, repairs and trains staff on compact construction equipment including small tractors, excavators, skid steers, UTVs, as well as trucks as large as F350 dump trucks and trailers up to 22ft. long.  

• Operates, maintains, repairs, and trains staff on vehicles, machinery, hand and power tools, and other equipment to the highest standards.  

• Develops plans to protect and enhance the conservation values of the property, in conjunction with specialist colleagues, to deliver outcomes that enhance property value.

• Partner on significant capital projects from time to time, including scoping and managing costing and procurement, with support from the Central Trustees Stewardship Team.

• Implement signage strategy and provide on the ground support for Program Director, Engagement Manager, and Marketing to coordinate orders​.

• Conduct stewardship standards assessments and scopes work orders and budgets.

• Tracks routine maintenance and performance towards conservation targets using stewardship data systems.

Administration

• Provides leadership for full-time and seasonal employees, as well as volunteers. This includes making routine employment decisions, assigning work, providing training, evaluating work performance, providing direction and encouragement to direct reports as necessary, resolving routine and non-routine problems and protecting employees and visitors by maintaining a safe working environment.

• Supervises the use and maintenance of work areas, vehicles, tools and equipment to the highest safety standards and ensures that scheduled preventative maintenance is completed on time.

• Reduces costs and finds efficiency where possible with the resources available, identifying areas for improvement.

• Fulfills other administrative duties, including but not limited to, weekly accounts payable and receivables, and email communication.

• Develops annual work plans for employees and conducts annual performance reviews.

• Develop and maintain weekly and monthly schedules for staff​, volunteers and interns.

• Identifies project and program scope for volunteers and participates in annual volunteer presentations, trainings, and appreciation events. 

Other Information:

Education and Experience

• 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in property maintenance, landscaping, trail work, facilities management, or other relevant experience. Experience managing cultural/historic landscapes and maintaining structures and building systems, a plus. 

• Associates or Undergraduate degree in horticulture, park management, forestry, ecology, environmental studies, land-use planning, or another natural resource field.

• Demonstrated experience training and managing staff and volunteers.

• Demonstrated commitment to the mission of The Trustees.

Skills/Qualifications

• Quick learner and excellent interpersonal skills; able to function and act independently together with the ability to work collaboratively and productively in a team environment.

• Basic carpentry and painting skills with an eye for quality outcomes and attention to detail

• Excellent communication and presentation, and computer skills; familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to manage many deadlines, tasks, and relationships.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage projects and workflow, using time and resources effectively.

• High regard for teamwork, collegiality, customer service and visitor experience.

Other

• A valid driver's license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees' driving policy.

• A satisfactory criminal background check (CORI).

• Massachusetts Hoisting License - 2A (preferred) or willingness and ability to obtain

• Massachusetts Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (preferred) or willingness and ability to obtain

• OSHA 10 Hour General Industry (preferred) or willingness to obtain

• Wilderness First Aid (preferred) or willingness to obtain

Working Conditions

• The SM will have the option to rent a house at Appleton Farms, at a discounted rental price that will be factored into the compensation offered.

• Physically hard work: must be able to lift up to 50 lbs., pull and push heavy items, and climb ladders.

• Outside work with exposure to all weather conditions.

• This position is based out of Appleton Farms in Ipswich as the primary office space.

• This position performs tasks across a broad range of disciplines, so a willingness to learn new skills and flexibility to meet the day to day demands of the job is a must.

• The SM will be required to work on weekends and/or evenings to attend meetings, participate in special events, or to ensure the protection of the property and/or the safety of the visiting public.

About The Trustees 

The Trustees is one of Massachusetts’ largest non-profits and the nation’s first conservation and preservation organization. Today, the places we care about are going fast, and the forces undermining them, including climate change, are moving faster. Our passion is to protect and share with everyone the irreplaceable natural and cultural treasures under our care. We are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and more than 70,000 member households. 

The Trustees’ commitment to Diversity, Belonging Inclusion and Equity is to create inclusive spaces of belonging for Trustees staff, members, volunteers, and communities across our organization and 120 plus properties. Read more here

As part of our dedication to an inclusive and diverse workforce, The Trustees are committed to Equal Employment Opportunity without regard for race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures.

In addition to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, the Trustees of Reservations aims to create a thriving, inclusive workplace that values each member of our team. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

To prevent the infection and spread of COVID-19, and as an integral part of its public health and safety measures, The Trustees of Reservations requires that all successful applicants show proof of full vaccination by an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine before beginning employment, unless an exemption from this policy has been granted. Applicants who believe they need an accommodation of this policy because of a disability, sincerely-held religious belief, or otherwise should inform Human Resources after an offer of employment is extended; please do not include any medical, genetic, or religious information on your application materials.

We kindly request that you do not call to inquire about the status of your application. Those candidates chosen for interviews will be contacted.