Natural Areas Steward - 502415
University of Richmond

SUMMARY:

The University of Richmond is seeking an experienced project manager and steward to oversee the design, care and management of the Eco-Corridor and nearby natural areas, while supporting critical education, engagement, well-being, and conservation goals on campus. This position will report to the Director of Sustainability and will work closely with the Associate Director of Landscape Services & Horticulture and the Eco-Corridor Working Group.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Eco-Corridor Site Management and Improvement

• Site Planning: Independently creates and implements expert-informed tactical plans to control invasive species, increase biodiversity, manage stormwater, and reduce nutrient flow into the James River watershed. Assists in developing and implementing the 3-5-year plan for the management of the Eco-Corridor.
• Trails and Access: Oversees the design, safety, aesthetics, and quality of the main corridor; ensures the maintenance of paths to provide access to Little Westham Creek and ensures a safe and stable walking area free from erosion and stormwater runoff; creates new paths to increase recreation and improve access to wetland areas.
• Stormwater: Manages the maintenance of the rain garden, step pools, and wetland areas to control stormwater and reduce erosion.
• Landscaping: Oversees the routine maintenance of the Eco-Corridor's main activity areas, including mowing, weeding, pruning, planting, trimming, and watering.
• Abby's Garden: Manages the University's community garden program, including recruitment, membership management, workshops, tool maintenance, and events.

Education and Research

• Experiential Education & Living Lab: Supports the ability of faculty and students to utilize the Eco-Corridor as a site for project-based problem solving, applied research, direct experience, and focused reflection across academic disciplines.
• Faculty Development: Works closely with partners in the Center for Civic Engagement by providing resources, training, and on-site support to faculty who seek to use the Eco-Corridor as a site for scholarship.
• Collaborative Database: Works with faculty across the University who use the Eco-Corridor as a place for research and learning, construct and maintain a database to record, coordinate, and provide access to project data, including motion-activated cameras, water monitoring, biodiversity sampling, historical assessments, writing workshops, archaeological records, and more.
• Outdoor Education Facilities: Maintain, schedule, and promote the usage of the Eco-Corridor's physical spaces as sites for teaching and co-curricular learning.

Well-Being & Engagement

• Outdoor Recreation: Improve opportunities for kayaking, biking, and nature connection, as well as mindfulness and meditation activities in the Eco-Corridor and undeveloped campus areas.
• Communication: Work with campus partners to manage information and communications of the Eco-Corridor, including the website, physical kiosks, and updates.
• Engagement: Promote awareness of the space, including tours, developing community events open to campus and neighbors to promote a sense of place and belonging, and development of partnerships with local schools and businesses.
• Installations and Signage: Plan and expand informal education structures, including developing signage about the site's historical use and archeological information; respond to and manage installation requests.

Conservation & Biodiversity

• Water Quality: Conduct regular water quality sampling, monitor the stream channel and tributaries, and maintain stream banks and floodplains to maximize water quality of Little Westham Creek and the larger watershed.
• Pollinators and Pollinator Meadows: Alongside partners in Biology, maintain beehives, pollinator meadows, and open fields, to support bee populations and pollinator species, as well as to reduce the presence of invasive species.
• Biodiversity Assessments: Conduct a comprehensive biodiversity assessment to establish a baseline of current activity and identify needs to support and promote biodiversity going forward, including terrestrial, amphibian, and aquatic animal assessments, as well as flora in the area.
• Tree Inventory: Working alongside partners in the Spatial Analysis Lab, support the ongoing establishment of a campus tree inventory, including tree tagging, tree identification, and information displays to promote education and research.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proficient in environmental education, either in a formal or informal setting.
• Ability to coordinate and manage internal resources, volunteers, and third parties/vendors for execution of projects.
• Adept at developing project scopes and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders, and ensuring resource availability and allocation.
• Skilled at developing detailed project plans to track progress, ensuring they are delivered on-time, within scope, and within budget.
• Able to effectively balance the needs and demands of a diverse group of stakeholders and participants, while adhering to the established plan for the management of the Eco-Corridor.
• Astute understanding of when to report and escalate to management as needed.
• Comprehensive knowledge of invasive species management.
• Strong teamwork skills and ability to work collaboratively with others.
• Comfortable with public speaking and working with students, staff, faculty, and community members.
• Knowledge of green infrastructure best practices.
• Adaptable to new situations and experiences; able to work cooperatively in a newly established role.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in a field such as horticulture, botany, geography, environmental studies, environmental education, natural resource management, conservation, recreation & park management, environmental planning, or related.
• Professional experience in natural resource management, environmental education, and/or applied environmental studies or similar fields.
• Experience with landscape management and maintenance as it relates to mowing, tree care, and areas including pollinator habitats, native meadows, rain gardens, stormwater management, gardening, and best practices for improving aquatic ecology.
• Accomplished at creating and maintaining operational management plans.
• Proficiency in preparing status reports by gathering, analyzing, and summarizing relevant information.
• Skilled at coordinating the development of process guides, training materials, and other documents as needed to enable successful implementation of the activity or system.
• Experience conducting post-project evaluations and identifying successful and unsuccessful project elements.
• Aptitude for establishing effective project communication plans and ensuring their execution.

WORK HOURS:

• Full-time, exempt position
• Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; 7.75 hrs./day; 38.75 hrs./week
• This role is available as a 10-, 11-, or 12-month position

SALARY STRUCTURE:
Pay Grade 6 (Hiring Range $46,114.00 to $61,110.00 annually)

ABOUT UR:

At the University of Richmond, we're creative, inclusive, and determined. We're Spiders, and our mission is to create positive change in the UR community and beyond. Located minutes from downtown Richmond, Virginia, the University of Richmond (www.richmond.edu) blends the intimacy of a small college with exceptional academic, research, and cultural opportunities usually found only at large institutions. There's only one place like Richmond.

UR is committed to developing a diverse faculty, staff and student body, and to modeling an inclusive campus community which values the expression of differences in ways that promote excellence in teaching, learning, personal development and institutional success. In keeping with this commitment, our academic community welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and candidates who support diversity. EOE

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