21 Aug Travis Audubon Job: Baker Sanctuary Steward
BAKER SANCTUARY STEWARD
JOB DESCRIPTION
Summary
Baker Sanctuary is a 690 acre preserve located in northwest Travis County and is part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP). Travis Audubon Society is a managing partner of the BCP. The purpose of Baker Sanctuary is to provide high quality habitat for the federally endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler and many other native Hill Country fauna and flora, and to host educational, fundraising, and outreach events as well as scientific research.
Essential Job Activities and Responsibilities:
The Sanctuary Steward reports to and is supervised by the Executive Director (ED). The Sanctuary Committee is tasked with developing the land management plan for Baker Sanctuary and provides guidance to the Sanctuary Steward in the Steward’s role of implementing the land management plan.
The essential job activities described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1. Maintain a presence on the Sanctuary to deter trespass and damage to Sanctuary property.
2. Carry out routine maintenance and minor repairs as needed at the residence and all other structures and facilities within the Baker Sanctuary.
3. Keep the Sanctuary open on dates and hours as directed by the Sanctuary Committee.
4. Maintain TAS equipment in good working condition.
5. Maintain the grounds at all public access points (e.g., Jackie Arnold Education Center, Baker Cabin, the Steward’s residence area) per guidelines set by the Sanctuary Committee. This includes regular trash pick up along fence line.
6. Manage the Sanctuary in compliance with federal and local endangered species regulations relating to the Golden-cheeked Warbler and adhere to the BCP management plan, as directed by the Sanctuary Committee.
7. Use best management practices approved by the Sanctuary Committee to protect against Oak Wilt, enhance red oak (and other over-browsed species) regeneration, and control non-native species within the Sanctuary.
8. Maintain Sanctuary fences, gates and signs and trails.
9. Manage the annual White-tailed Deer hunting program using Sanctuary Committee guidelines and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department regulations, either directly or indirectly (with a lease manager).
10. Trap Brown-headed Cowbirds and control feral hogs as needed.
11. Coordinate Golden-cheeked Warbler surveys and oversee research projects as needed.
12. Immediately bring any issues of vandalism, fire or other emergencies to the attention of the Executive Director (ED) or the Board President if ED is not available.
Outreach, Fundraising and Stewardship Day Duties:
1. Build relationships with surrounding home owners, community groups, schools, etc.
2. Act as ambassador to the local community on behalf of TAS. Refer all media contacts to the Executive Director or Board President.
3. Write articles for TAS newsletter six times per year.
4. Plan, coordinate, and supervise at least three stewardship days on the sanctuary for the purpose of engaging TAS members and neighbors in stewardship projects (e.g. trail work, control of non-natives, habitat restoration)
5. Work with Field Trip and Sanctuary Committee to offer guided tours of the Sanctuary, 2 – 6 times per year. Be available to lead guided hikes.
6. Manage visitor presence and maintain the visitor register; make brochures and newsletters available to visitors.
7. Actively participate in the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve land managers Group.
8. Participate in the Annual Open House and other events at the Baker Sanctuary, including fundraising events.
9. Attend Sanctuary Committee Meetings. Gas will be reimbursed.
Administrative:
1. Report to the Executive Director
2. Submit a monthly written activities report to the Executive Director by the 5th of the month for the preceding month.
3. Submit timely Request for Reimbursement forms, with receipts, through email or regular mail for any expenses incurred.
4. Adhere to the Board-approved annual budget for Baker Sanctuary and help develop the Baker Sanctuary budget.
5. Submit an annual written Balcones Canyonlands Preserve report to the Sanctuary Committee Chair for review before submittal to Travis Country for compilation with other BCP reports.
6. Develop the written Sanctuary Operations Manual with guidance from the Sanctuary Committee and Executive Director and update Manual on an annual basis.
7. When new property is purchased for the Sanctuary, update the Baker Sanctuary Property Inventory.
Other duties as assigned.
All activities must adhere to current land management plan.
Qualifications
1. Understand and support the purpose of Baker Sanctuary.
2. Bachelor’s degree in one of the natural sciences with emphasis in field study, plus at least one year experience in natural area management including trail work and habitat restoration. Additional applicable experience may be substituted for up to 2 years of college.
3. Experience interacting with a diverse public (varying ages, ethnicities, scientific background, familiarity and comfort with Central Texas outdoors) and experience managing volunteers (individual and groups).
4. Verbal, written communication and organizational skills.
5. Skilled with operation of a variety of power tools and hand tools to maintain and perform at least minor repairs of facilities, trails, signs, restrooms, parking areas and fences or recruiting and supervising volunteers to perform these activities
6. Preferred: Experience leading guided tours; skills with environmental / historical interpretation and at ease with presenting introductory comments about the sanctuary and TAS to groups that have other leaders.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, bend, lift 20 pounds and drive. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally. Job requires frequent verbal and email communication. Computer, telephone and fax use are frequently required.
Working Location, Hours, Compensation
Primary Location is 12219 Lime Creek Road, Leander TX
No set hours. Position often requires availability and presence at the sanctuary 24/7 including some periodic evening or weekend work.
Compensation: 3 bedroom (1 bedroom is the Sanctuary office) mobile home on land, utilities, phone and internet included. $800-1,000 stipend per month commensurate with experience. Mileage incurred as a result of job duties is reimbursed at the IRS rate.
Couples welcome.
CLOSE DATE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2009
Contact:
Nancy Manning
Travis Audubon Executive Director
512-300-2473
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