Steward

Who We Are: 

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org. 

Salary/Hourly Rate: $22-24/hour 

Job Classification: Full-time, Nonexempt 

Job Type: Onsite 

Location: Central & Valley Region, MA 

What You’ll Do:

The Role: 

As one of two Stewards based out of Doyle Community Park in Leominster, you'll care for properties throughout the Central and Valley Region of the Trustees. You'll be primarily responsible for daily upkeep and project execution on 17 properties within the region, including an urban park, a Trustees office building, large grassland fields, ecologically sensitive habitats, woodland trail systems, a campground, and historic property features. You'll perform landscaping and groundskeeping, ecological field mowing, building maintenance, invasive plant control using pesticides, trail and trailhead maintenance, mechanized equipment use and upkeep, snow removal, and many other tasks. You will primarily be field-based with minimal administrative tasks, work collaboratively with other regional and statewide colleagues, and help oversee seasonal employees and volunteers.    

Specifically, you’ll: 

• Perform property maintenance including but not limited to mowing, trimming, brush cutting, trash removal, snow removal, tree work, equipment maintenance, trail maintenance and vegetation management.   

• Perform routine maintenance of structures including custodial, painting, light carpentry, and plumbing.   

• Safely and efficiently operates and maintains tractors, backhoes, UTV’s, mowers, trucks as large as f350 dump trucks and trailers as long as 22ft.    

• Operate and maintain vehicles, machinery, tools, and equipment to the highest standards.   

• Provide cheerful and positive oversight and recognition of volunteer efforts in the field.   

• Support the goals of the Annual Stewardship plan including routine property maintenance and targeted completion of deferred maintenance projects in pursuit of Key Performance Indicator goals   

• Professionally represent the organization as a public-facing presence while working on property.    

• Maintain positive and productive relationships with our members, neighbors, visitors, and other Trustees staff.    

• Work with the Stewardship Manager to identify meaningful volunteer opportunities.   

• Assist with projects on other Trustees properties as required and perform additional duties as assigned by the Stewardship Manager   

• May require some nights and weekends   

• Will be required to be available during or immediately after snowstorms for snow removal   

• Will be required to routinely work in areas associated with ticks, mosquitos, and poison ivy.  

• Other duties as assigned     

This is a full-time (40 hours per week), nonexempt position reporting directly to the Stewardship Manager.  

What You’ll Need: 

Skills and Experience: 

• 1-3 years of professional experience in property maintenance, landscaping, facilities management, a building trade, mechanics, or other experience related to the position. Or an associate degree in Park Management, Forestry, Ecology or another natural resource field.   

• The ability to safely operate, repair and maintain chainsaws, trimmers, brush cutters, mowers and associated landscaping equipment.    

• Experience operating and maintaining heavy equipment; like tractors, skid steers, excavators.  

• Basic carpentry and painting skills, formal landscape maintenance and related experience preferred. Experience maintaining cultural/historic landscapes and maintaining structures and buildings systems is a plus.    

• The ability to work independently and unsupervised as well as work cooperatively and demonstrate leadership in groups.    

• Ability to complete assigned tasks and projects, meet deadlines and manage multiple talks.   

• Basic computer skills and ability to keep good records, familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite.    

• A positive attitude, willingness to be flexible, and a commitment to achieving the goals of The Trustees. Strong commitment to the mission of The Trustees.    

• This position preforms 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.    

• A commitment to be safety aware, to work safely at all times, and create a culture of safety.    

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

Eligibility Criteria: 

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

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

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

• Wilderness First Aid (preferred) or willingness to obtain.   

• Ability to lift, push, and pull 50 pounds and climb ladders 

• Comfortable working outdoors in all seasons, sometimes during inclement weather, and having environmental exposure to elements like heat, cold, and chemicals 

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 

• A valid driver’s license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy. [if needed] 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.  

Want to learn more? Set up an informational call with a member of our People Team by emailing people@thetrustees.org. 

Your Benefits: 

• Sick time: 80 hours   

• Vacation time: 15 days per year  

• Early release time: 36 hours per year  

• Floating holidays/personal days: 15 Floating Holidays (13 observed holidays; 2 floating)  

• Health insurance: You are eligible to participate in the Trustees health insurance benefit via Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). BCBS also offers additional benefits, such as fitness reimbursement and rewards for healthy habits.  
• Dental and vision insurance

• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance  

• Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave  

• Life Insurance  

• 401k with 5% match after 1 year of employment 

• Employee Assistance Program: Free access to a confidential service that helps employees and their communities with personal and work-related issues, such as mental health support, counseling, and financial advice.  

• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  

• Day of Wonder: Spend one workday per year to exploring a Trustees property  

• Day of Service: Spend one workday per year to helping with a project at a Trustees property  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity: 

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.    

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion, and Equity. 

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.