The Henry L. Ferguson Museum

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Fishers Island Land Trust Stewardship Coordinator
SALARY RANGE: $24 – $28/hour commensurate with qualifications and experience
REPORTS TO: Executive Director, H.L. Ferguson Museum
CONTRACT: Part-time, 12 months (extendable dependent on funding and performance)
LOCATION: Fishers Island, New York

BACKGROUND

Henry L. Ferguson Museum

Since its inception in 1960, the Ferguson Museum has worked to protect habitat for the flora and fauna of Fishers Island, New York. Throughout its history, the Museum has protected habitat through its growing Land Trust, its natural history exhibits, and its environmental education programs. The Land Trust was started in 1965 for the preservation in perpetuity of undeveloped property in its natural state to further its stewardship mission. While a few parcels were added in its early years, the Museum and Land Trust proactively started expanding in 1981. Today the Land Trust holds, either directly or through conservation easements, more than 330 acres, which represents more than 15% of the island.

In addition to preserving the sites in perpetuity, the Museum and its Land Trust are increasingly engaged in a variety of stewardship and educational activities. This work includes maintenance of an extensive trail system, invasive species removal, native species plantings, beach clean-ups, nature walks, bird monitoring, and adult and children educational programs and field experiences. The Ferguson Museum now seeks to further its conservation role by professionally coordinating and promoting its stewardship and monitoring activities.

 

ROLE OF THE FISHERS ISLAND LAND TRUST STEWARDSHIP COORDINATOR

The HL Ferguson Museum Land Trust Stewardship Coordinator is a multi-faceted role involving capacity building, land management, invasive species control, monitoring and data management, and environmental education. Under supervision of the Executive Director, HL Ferguson Museum Land Stewardship Coordinator is responsible for providing organizational, management and administrative support to advance the Museum’s land trust conservation and stewardship activities.

Key Functions

  • Working with the land Trust Committee and Museum Board, develop conservation goals and objectives and eventually full management plans for land Trust properties.
  • Working with the Land Trust Committee, volunteers, and landscapers, develop and coordinate work schedules to implement activity needed to reach conservation objectives.
  • Create community-based monitoring capacity and mobilize volunteers to improve: access to science, understanding of stressors impacting local habitat, management of invasive species, trail maintenance, and awareness and appreciation of local knowledge and expertise.
  • Build interest and broad support for island-based conservation activities and serve as a liaison between the island’s seasonal and year-round communities and the Land Trust.

Primary Responsibilities

  1. Coordinate and manage overall Land Trust work, including organizing and convening regular Land Trust Committee meetings, to ensure it is focused on delivering its vision for protected and healthy habitat for the island’s flora and fauna.
  2. Building from agreed upon objectives and past studies, develop specific, detailed management plans for Land Trust properties, including timelines and budgets.
  3. Launch the design, development and implementation of quality-assured conservation monitoring and evaluation program, including data management and reporting systems.
  4. Recruit, train, mobilize and oversee volunteers to build stewardship, monitoring, and learning capacity of Land Trust Committee members and the island-wide community. Additionally supervise any contractors and/or summer youth workers.
  5. Responsible for overseeing safe operations, maintenance and transportation of a variety of small to heavy equipment (hand tools, power tools, chainsaws, mowers, tractors)
  6. Support the Museum’s planning, communications, monitoring, outreach and fundraising initiatives, including preparation of presentations, outreach materials, funding proposals and other communications.
  7. Promote and communicate work of Museum and Land Trust to island audiences, instilling an appreciation of ecological needs and management efforts.
  8. Facilitate and make recommendations to the Board on implementing relevant policies standards of practice, as put forth by the Land trust Alliance
  9. Represent the Ferguson Museum and land Trust at regional and national meetings and conferences as required and as funds allow.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Required:

  • Demonstration of a strong personal interest in, and conviction to, the conservation of land and natural resources
  • An academic degree in a relevant discipline, or a combination of education and practical experience and knowledge in the environmental conservation or management sector
  • Significant experience and familiarity with land protection and stewardship methods, tools, and practices, including a familiarity with Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills and experience
  • Practical understanding of environmental resource monitoring and research, data analysis and management methods; and, demonstrated experience designing, implementing, leading and managing quantitative and qualitative ecological or social science monitoring or research projects
  • Proficient with modern computer applications, including word processing, data storage and manipulation, development of visual presentations, and Internet research and communications.
  • Excellent listening, written and oral communication skills and the ability to professionally and confidently represent the Ferguson Museum in person and via broadcast, print and social media.
  • An adaptable self-starter able to enthuse and motivate volunteers, the wider island community and partners
  • Willing and able to commute daily via ferry to Fishers Island, and to travel domestically
  • Valid driver’s license, and clean driving record

Desirable:

  • Experience in leading community-based engagement, working with multi-stakeholder, board initiatives, managing multi-actor dynamics, and volunteer management
  • Knowledge of NY/CT conservation challenges and associated U.S. state and regional policies
  • Understanding and appreciation of small, island-based cultures
  • Understanding and appreciation of volunteer-based land trusts
  • Grant writing, management and reporting experience
  • Experience with ArcGIS
  • First Aid and CPR Certification
  • Game of Logging Training
  • Experience working in the NGO and/or government sectors

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

  • Length of Contract: 12 months, extendable depending on funding and performance.
  • Probation period: 3 months
  • Annual Leave: 10 days
  • Hours of Work: regularly, 20 hours per week; occasionally, 40 hours per week, during regional meetings or peak management periods. May require working during some weekends and evenings.
  • Location: H.L. Ferguson Museum office, Fishers Island, New York with possible occasional travel. The candidate will be expected to be resident on Fishers Island or able to commute to Fishers Island daily. For an off-island candidate, a stipend may be provided to reduce the cost of commuting by ferry from New London, CT or Noank, CT.

TO APPLY:
Please send your resume, a cover letter detailing how you meet the requirements for the position, and contact information for 3 professional references to: fimuseum@fishersisland.net by January 15, 2019.