Closing Date: 2/25/2026

Applicants are encouraged to apply early

About Land Trust Of Santa Cruz County

Founded in 1978, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County brings diverse communities and organizations together to protect and connect people to the lands that define this special place. We protect and steward farmland, watersheds, wildlife habitat, and land for public access in and around Santa Cruz County to support the environment, economy, and quality of life for future generations of people and wildlife.

We understand the critical role land plays in addressing climate change and calibrate our preservation efforts through this lens. At the same time, we know that land is cherished when people connect to it directly. From that perspective, we partner with groups and individuals to preserve and steward land that people can access, enjoy, and fall in love with.

We engage the entire county in our efforts to get bikers, hikers, birders, farmers, ranchers, and everyone who cares about the local environment and our uniquely beautiful vistas to become active stewards of the land.

The Land Trust aspires to be an organization that is representative of the communities we serve. We are looking for people with a passion for nature, land protection, and teamwork. We encourage everyone to apply for our available positions even if they don’t meet all the hiring criteria listed in the job description.

Position Snapshot

Department: Land Stewardship
Reports To: Stewardship Manager
Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Location: Santa Cruz
Salary: $35/hour (with the opportunity to increase to $37 after 90 days based on performance)

Overview

The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, a nonprofit organization that has made substantial headway in environmental conservation by helping to protect more than 14,000 acres of important habitat and farmland over the last 45 years, is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and skilled Land Steward to support the day-to-day stewardship of our protected lands, working lands, and public access properties throughout Santa Cruz County. This position plays a key role in implementing habitat restoration, invasive species management, facilities maintenance, and land management projects that uphold the conservation values of Land Trust properties.

The Land Steward position involves tasks that promote and support the conservation values of Land Trust properties using industry-standard best practices. Focus areas include our sandhills preserves, Glenwood Open Space Preserve, Santa Cruz long-toed salamander preserves, San Vicente Redwoods, Byrne-Milliron Forest, Watsonville Slough Farm, Highway 17 properties, Rocks Ranch, and other properties as they are added to our holdings.

Work Schedule & Location

Work hours total approximately 40 hours per week, typically between 8am - 5pm, Monday through Friday, with occasional early, late, or weekend work as needed.

This position is field based, with regular travel to Land Trust properties throughout Santa Cruz County to perform habitat restoration, vegetation management, and infrastructure maintenance, as well as occasional participation in volunteer workdays and public events. The position is based at our Santa Cruz office.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, non-exempt position starting at $35 per hour, with the opportunity to increase to $37 per hour after 90 days based on performance.

The Land Trust offers excellent benefits and a supportive work environment, including:

• High-quality health, dental, and vision insurance, with 100% of employee premiums covered by the Land Trust

• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match

• Generous paid time off and holidays

• A green commute stipend to encourage sustainable transportation

• Ongoing professional development support

• An annual wellness benefit

• Inclusive and fun staff events

• A dog-friendly office

• And more!

Responsibilities

Natural Resource Management and Habitat Restoration

• Conduct integrated pest management of invasive plant species, including mechanical removal and use of herbicides
• Perform vegetation management including operating power tools and equipment such as weed whips, chainsaws, and mowers
• Installation and maintenance of native plant restoration sites
• Execute watershed and erosion control projects and assist with cleanup of illegal dumpsites and vandalism

Facilities and Infrastructure Maintenance

• Inspect, maintain, and repair facilities and infrastructure, Including trails, gates, fences, buildings, culverts, and more
• Conduct vegetation management along roads, trails, and fence lines
• Assist with the management and coordination of working lands operations
• Collect and report property data using GPS-based phone applications
• Maintain tools and equipment - such as Land Trust vehicles – and keep supplies stocked

Support other Land Trust Programs

• Keep clear and accurate records in monthly reports
• Collaborate with the Engagement Department on stewardship stories and content
• Assist with volunteer management on specific properties and projects
• Assist with preparations for member and public events and contribute to or lead nature programs as needed
• Occasionally staff or support Land Trust events and public programs, which may include evening or weekend participation
• Perform other tasks and responsibilities as assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills, Ability & Experience

• 3-5 years of professional experience in land stewardship or related fields
• Ability to exemplify a positive attitude to partners, visitors, and volunteers
• Ability to correctly identify California native plants in Santa Cruz County and understand noxious weed management strategies in California
• Experience with rural road maintenance, erosion control, irrigation, and weed management
• Experience and ability to safely operate power tools, such as mowers, weed whips, and chainsaws
• A collaborative mindset, particularly when managing recreation in ways that are compatible with natural resource protection and working lands
• Ability to work alone productively
• Valid driver’s license and capability of driving safely in city, rural, and 4-wheel drive conditions;
• Experience towing and a willingness to learn and safely operate OHV’s
• Ability to keep clear and accurate records
• Physically capable of extended walking in adverse terrain (steep, muddy, heavily vegetated, sandy) and extended landscape labor such as digging, reaching, squatting, pulling, and lifting up to 40 lbs.
• Experience managing risk in environments that include exposure to poison oak, wasps, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, hazard trees, and other natural hazards

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Ability & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, natural resource management, or related discipline
• An understanding of the conservation of natural, agricultural, cultural, and open space resources in Santa Cruz County
• Knowledge of Santa Cruz County ecosystems and management issues
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate with a diverse audience
• Experience operating heavy equipment such as backhoes, excavators, woodchippers, graders, skip loaders, cranes, and lifts
• Contract management experience such as soliciting bids, developing scopes of work, and executing contracts
• Proficiency with software such as Microsoft Office, Asana, Avenza Maps, and ArcGIS
• Strong prioritization and leadership skills