Land Stewardship Tech SE in Auburn, Alabama at The Westervelt Company

Summary:

The Land Stewardship Technician position is responsible for conducting land and habitat management activities. The Land Stewardship Technician will be responsible for helping with implementation, management, maintenance, and monitoring of WES properties managed from the Auburn office while helping other staff within the Eastern Division of WES as needed. This role does require regular travel, including overnight and extended week long stays.

A Day in the Life:

No two days are the same in this role. One day you may be operating tractors, installing irrigation systems, repairing fences, or managing invasive weeds. The next may involve coordinating access for contractors, troubleshooting monitoring equipment, or supporting habitat restoration projects. If you enjoy working outdoors, operating equipment, and seeing the direct impact of your efforts on the land, this role offers a rewarding and dynamic work environment.

Key Responsibilities and Outcomes:

• Conduct land stewardship and site maintenance activities including weed control and vegetation management, vegetation establishment, mowing, tree maintenance, fence and gate repair, water and irrigation management, and coordination with lessees and neighbors.
• Operate, maintain, transport, and repair equipment, such as UTV's, tractors, trailers, mini-excavators, skid steers, mowers, chainsaws, augers, pole saws, string trimmers, etc. that may be used during maintenance activities.
• Facilitate site access with outside parties including lessees, easement holders and utilities.
• Coordinate with outside contractors performing land stewardship activities.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair on-site monitoring equipment (groundwater wells, rain gauges, stream gauges, etc.) when applicable.
• Operate and maintain irrigation equipment, including plumbing repair and electric or gasoline motor and pump maintenance. Provide water management on properties independently with understanding of how irrigation affects vegetation management.
• Provide support to facilitate habitat restoration implementation.
• Assist, where appropriate, with biological monitoring for WES projects.
• Ability to legally tow trailers and equipment. Class A CDL preferred and may be required based on assigned duties.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education, Experience and Qualifications:

Required Skills:

• High school diploma
• 2+ years of related experience such as ranching, farming, forestry, wildlife or land management
• Knowledge of operation and maintenance of land management equipment (all terrain vehicles, chainsaws, backhoes, tractors, mowers, pumps)
• Ability to work independently in the field, usually in remote settings, in a variety of weather conditions
• Can do overnight travel as needed, which can be week long stays during busy field seasons
• Strong navigation skills- including use of digital and paper maps
• Driver’s license with clean driving record. Experience driving work trucks with trailers both on regular highways and offroad.
• Possesses practical mechanical aptitude to troubleshoot and perform maintenance and repairs on equipment, tools, irrigation systems and field infrastructure

Preferred Skills:

• Valid Class A driver’s license
• Prior hands-on experience with basic metal fabrication, welding and carpentry