Stewardship Field Assistant

Sudbury Valley Trustees, a nonprofit regional land trust located west of Boston, MA, seeks a Stewardship Field Assistant. This short-term position is an opportunity to receive on-the-job training in hands-on conservation land management. SVT encourages people of all personal and professional backgrounds to apply.

About SVT

Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT) actively conserves natural areas and farmland in 36 communities between Boston and Worcester. We protect some of the region’s most important forests, wetlands, and grasslands—natural areas that support wildlife habitat, working farms, and recreational trails. See more at svtweb.org.

• • SVT cares for more than 5,900 acres on 194 properties, has protected more than 70 miles of hiking trails, and provides an array of public educational programs and recreational outings.
  • SVT is a dynamic, forward thinking land trust and we come together to achieve our mission through three strategies:
  • We protect land by assisting communities and other organizations with local efforts along with working with land owners to permanently conserve their parcels
  • We take care of natural areas. We actively work to steward the land, ensuring that the values that originally inspired protection are cared for in perpetuity.
  • We provide people with opportunities to connect with nature and to act for conservation. SVT recognizes that we must engage a greater number of people to care and act for natural areas, and we work to provide a diversity of opportunities for people of all ages to learn more about our region’s open spaces and wildlife.
  • SVT is accredited by the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
  • SVT achieves this success thanks to the efforts of our tight-knit team of professional staff, an all-volunteer Board of Directors, the hard work of more than 200 volunteers, the support of more than 2,000 households, and numerous collaborations with partner organizations.

Job Description:

The Stewardship Field Assistant (SFA) will assist with invasive plant control projects and property maintenance at SVT conservation lands. The position will run from April 14 to October 24, 2025.

The SVT stewardship team manages 94 natural areas, totaling 2,478 acres. The SFA will conduct manual pulling and control of invasive plants, working alone or with other staff and volunteers. The SFA will mow trails and conduct routine trail maintenance. The SFA will conduct annual inspections of SVT properties and complete inspection reports. The SFA may assist with other conservation land stewardship tasks as needed.The position is supervised by the Director of Land Management.

SVT will provide on-the-job training in:

• • Land trust operations
  • Invasive plant identification and manual removal techniques
  • Basic trail maintenance
  • Operation of DR Field & Brush Mower
  • Property inspections and reporting
  • Visitor outreach

Qualifications:

• Eagerness to learn about land conservation and stewardship practices.
• Physical ability to spend long hours outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Physical ability and willingness to operate a DR Field & Brush mower.
• Experience with basic hand tools.
• Familiarity with invasive plant identification helpful, but not required
• Have valid driver’s license. SVT can provide use of the company pick-up truck for work travel. If a personal vehicle is used for work-related travel, mileage reimbursement will be provided.
• Willingness to interact with visitors for educational purposes. Knowledge of multiple languages is a plus.

Application Information:

To Apply By Email

• • Send to hr@svtweb.org.
  • Use the subject line: “Stewardship Field Assistant.”
  • In the body of the email, answer the following questions:
  • 1) Why are you interested in this position?
  • 2) What related experience do you have, if any, even if not in a work setting?
  • If you have a resume, please send it as an attachment and use a filename that begins with your last name.

Or To Apply By Mail

• • Mail to Sudbury Valley Trustees, 18 Wolbach Road, Sudbury, MA 01776
  • Include a note that answers the following questions:
  • 1) Why are you interested in this position?
  • 2) What related experience do you have, if any, even if not in a work setting?
  • Include a resume if you have one.

Application Deadline: February 17, 2025

Time Frame and Schedule:

1. 5 hours/week;

The position will run April 14 – October 24;

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 8:00 – 4:00 with some evenings;

• SVT has flexibility with dates and scheduling to accommodate family or school schedules.

Compensation: $ 20.00/hour

Benefits:

• Eligible to participate in SVT’s 401(k) plan with full vesting and matching from date of hire
• Sick leave benefit according to MA state regulations

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Sudbury Valley Trustees aims to create a thriving, inclusive workplace that values each member of our team and reflects and effectively serves the diverse communities of Boston’s MetroWest region. SVT is committed to fairness and equity throughout our internal operations. Equity and inclusion are priorities as we strengthen and continue to diversify our team so that we can serve and expand the region in all aspects of our work.