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Conservation Land Trust Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Nature

Land Stewardship Manager

$86K - $118K/yr

As the lead steward for TNC conservation easements in the state, the Land Stewardship Manager ... trusts and public agencies to accomplish stewardship goals. This position requires travel ...

Appalachian Trail

$90 - $110/hr

Experience working with large-scale conservation partnerships, land trusts, government agencies, and regional conservation coalitions. * Experience engaging in rural communities and municipalities ...

Green Goat Maps

$90 - $110/hr

Experience working with large-scale conservation partnerships, land trusts, government agencies, and regional conservation coalitions. * Experience engaging in rural communities and municipalities ...

Save the Redwoods League

Senior Scientist

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$141 - $159/hr

Sonoma Land Trust seeks a rigorous conservation scientist with strong communication skills to oversee applied research projects, furthering the organization's commitment to scientifically informed ...

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Conservation Land Trust information

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How much do conservation land trust jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for conservation land trust in the United States is $54,506.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,000.00 and $64,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a conservation land trust?

A Conservation Land Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting natural areas, wildlife habitats, and open spaces for public benefit. These trusts acquire land or conservation easements to ensure that the land remains undeveloped and preserved for future generations. They often work with landowners, government agencies, and communities to safeguard important environmental resources. Conservation Land Trusts play a key role in promoting biodiversity, combating climate change, and providing recreational opportunities. Their work ensures that valuable landscapes are protected from urban development and other threats.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a conservation land trust role?

To thrive in a Conservation Land Trust role, you typically need expertise in land management, environmental science, and knowledge of conservation law, often supported by a relevant degree or experience. Familiarity with GIS mapping software, land acquisition processes, and conservation easement documentation is commonly required. Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills help build partnerships and navigate complex conservation projects. These abilities are crucial for effectively protecting natural resources, securing land deals, and fostering community support for long-term conservation goals.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals working in a conservation land trust role?

Professionals in conservation land trusts often navigate challenges such as balancing the interests of landowners, community stakeholders, and environmental objectives. They may also face complex legal and regulatory requirements when structuring conservation easements or managing protected lands. Additionally, securing ongoing funding and resources for land stewardship and public outreach can be demanding. Collaboration with local governments, partner organizations, and volunteers is essential to successfully advance conservation goals.

What is the difference between Conservation Land Trust vs Conservation Land Manager?

AspectConservation Land TrustConservation Land Manager
CertificationsEnvironmental or nonprofit certifications, land trust credentialsEnvironmental, forestry, or land management certifications
Work EnvironmentNonprofit offices, field sites, conservation projectsFieldwork, land management sites, government or private agencies
Employer & IndustryNonprofit conservation organizations, land trustsGovernment agencies, private land management firms
Primary FocusLand conservation, legal protection, community engagementLand stewardship, habitat management, resource monitoring

While both roles focus on land preservation, Conservation Land Trusts primarily handle legal protection and community outreach, whereas Conservation Land Managers focus on active land stewardship and habitat management. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in conservation.

What cities are hiring for Conservation Land Trust jobs?

Cities with the most Conservation Land Trust job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Conservation Land Trust jobs?

The most popular types of Conservation Land Trust jobs are:

What states have the most Conservation Land Trust jobs?

States with the most job openings for Conservation Land Trust jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Conservation Land Trust jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Conservation Land Trust jobs are:

Conservation Land Trust jobs near you
Infographic showing various Conservation Land Trust job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,506 per year, or $26.2 per hour.

Stewardship Technician II

Santa Rosa, CA • On-site

Sonoma Land Trust
Environmental Consulting Services • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Sonoma Land Trustexternal

$32/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Job Title: Stewardship Technician II
Reports to: Stewardship Program Manager
Want to play your part in protecting our local communities from the impacts of climate change? Ready to roll up your sleeves to help achieve tangible results? Ready to begin a career in conservation? Want to be part of a talented, deeply committed, and national award-winning conservation organization? Then please read on!
Overview
Sonoma Land Trust (SLT) is looking for a Stewardship Technician II who is interested in gaining a wide range of stewardship experience in anticipation of a land conservation career. This position will spend approximately 75% of time in the field.
Stewardship Technician II works with Stewardship colleagues to implement preserve management, infrastructure maintenance, wildfire resilience, restoration, and a broad range of natural resource management across SLT properties. This position operates with some independence, exercises sound field judgment, and helps lead contractors, volunteers, and interns in carrying out high-quality stewardship work. SLT serves a diverse audience with broad cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, and orientations. We encourage applications from candidates who reflect and value the audiences and populations we serve.
You are encouraged to apply if you:
  • Have relevant work experience, coursework, and training in conservation land management, agricultural land management, project management, natural resource management, or a related field.
  • Have familiarity with infrastructure assessment, maintenance, and repair.
  • Have experience assessing property infrastructure, wildfire readiness, defensible space, and vegetation management needs.
  • Have strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to document field conditions, coordinate with colleagues and partners, and professionally represent SLT.
  • Experienced using common hand tools, power tools, UTVs, including trailer towing and backing.
  • Are innately curious about natural processes and conservation land stewardship.

Primary Responsibilities
Preserve Management
  • Assist with all aspects of SLT preserve management plans, including infrastructure maintenance, wildfire readiness, natural and cultural resource protection and enhancement.
  • Lead and provide direction to contractors, consultants, and volunteers.
  • Inspect and monitor preserves and properties to assess conditions, including roads, gates, grazing infrastructure, natural resource conditions and buildings.
  • Conduct facilities maintenance such as building repair, debris removal, and road clearing.
  • Assist with the Living with Fire Program including pile burning, prescribed fire burn unit prep and participating in prescribed burns throughout the county.
  • Implement wildfire protection plans including maintaining defensible space, building hardening and vegetation management projects across the preserve system.
  • Lead Stewardship volunteer workdays, including planning, training, and recordkeeping, and assisting the Community Engagement Department when requested.
  • Coordinate and assist the collection, management, and analysis of resource monitoring data and reporting.
  • Develop and maintain good working relationships with tenants, contractors, grazing lessees, neighbors, vendors, partner organizations, and the community at large.
  • Execute annual fee lands monitoring visits and reports according to program standards.

Conservation Easement Program
  • Coordinate conservation easement monitoring visits with Conservation Easement Program Manager and Stewardship Program Manager; take detailed field notes; utilize most recent data collection tools using tablets and phones; and complete monitoring reports according to program standards.
  • Work closely with conservation easement landowners to plan and schedule the annual monitoring visit.
  • Review monitoring reports for potential easement violations and work with Conservation Easement Program Manager to determine appropriate solutions.
  • Ensure that conservation easements and other legal requirements are adhered to on SLT preserves.
  • Maintain all documentation per Land Trust Alliance and SLT policy standards.

Administrative and Project Support
  • Work with Stewardship Program Manager and Stewardship colleagues to develop annual work plans for assigned projects. Maintain appropriate records, review project budget reports, and stay within budget.
  • Maintain accurate records and documentation, both paper and digital, for assigned projects and preserves in accordance with our recordkeeping practices required by LTA accreditation.

Community, Communications, and Philanthropy Support
  • Assist, as needed, with public recreational and educational activities in collaboration with Philanthropy, Community Engagement and Education teams.
  • Work with the Marketing and Communications team to develop communications around current and ongoing Stewardship projects.
  • Support donor and member engagement activities in coordination with Philanthropy, Community Engagement, and Marketing and Communications teams.

Other Duties
  • Responsible for regular maintenance and cleanliness of SLT vehicles.
  • Keep trails, roads, and parking areas open using a string trimmer and/or chainsaw.
  • Conduct monitoring activities related to vegetation, wildlife cameras, invasive plants, and other stewardship priorities.
  • Regular property visits and upkeep.
  • Provide assistance as issues and incidents occur.
  • Participation in professional development and training opportunities relevant to job duties.
  • Participate in staff meetings, strategic planning, Stewardship team meetings, and similar SLT activities.

Essential Qualifications
  • Relevant work experience, coursework, and training in conservation land management, agricultural land management, project management, natural resource management, or a related field.
  • Familiarity with infrastructure assessment, maintenance, and repair, including buildings, ranch roads, fencing, and water systems.
  • Experience assessing property infrastructure, wildfire readiness, defensible space, and vegetation management.
  • Experience implementing natural resource and wildlife habitat management activities.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to document field conditions, coordinate with colleagues and partners, and represent SLT professionally.
  • Experience using common hand tools, power tools, UTVs, and trailers, including trailer towing and backing.
  • Ability to work occasional weekends or after business hours.
  • Prolonged walking, hiking, and standing; light to heavy transporting and lifting; pulling; pushing; stooping; reaching; manual dexterity; visual and hearing acuity, with or without correction.
  • Valid driver's license is required and is insurable under SLT's vehicle insurance policy.

Preferred Skills and Experience
SLT welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds, experience, and transferrable skills. The following qualifications are preferred and may be developed after hire where appropriate:
  • Innate curiosity about natural processes and how infrastructure is affected by them.
  • Experience and certification in the safe use of chainsaws, or willingness to obtain certification as needed for assigned duties.
  • Wildland Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2) qualification or willingness to obtain within the first year of employment.
  • Experienced in safely operating off road vehicles such as UTVs and tractors.
  • ESRI ArcPro and GPS field data collection skills or willingness to learn within the first year of employment.
  • Current CPR, First Aid, and/or Wilderness First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain certification within the first year of employment.
  • Verbal and written Spanish language ability.

Schedule, Salary & Benefits
This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, non-exempt status (overtime eligible).
Hourly rate starting at $32.00 per hour, commensurate with experience. This position is located at the Sonoma Land Trust office in Santa Rosa, California. Staff are working in a hybrid model; however, for this position, there will be required field work.
Sonoma Land Trust's benefits include:
  • Paid time off including paid vacation based on tenure, 15 paid holidays, and paid sick and family leave
  • 100% of employee premiums for medical, dental, and vision, and 75% of dependent premiums
  • 5% employer contribution to retirement plan after one year of employment
  • Employee life and disability insurance
  • Pre-tax dependent care coverage plans for dependent or elder care
  • An employee assistance program for mental health, coaching, and financial or legal services
  • A lifestyle account annual stipend for wellness or gear purchases

About Sonoma Land Trust
Sonoma Land Trust works in alliance with nature to conserve and restore the integrity of the land, with a focus on climate resiliency. The organization is also committed to ensuring more equitable access to the outdoors. Since 1976, the non-profit Land Trust has protected over 56,000 acres of scenic, natural, agricultural, and open land for future generations. Sonoma Land Trust is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission and was the recipient of the 2019 Land Trust Alliance Award of Excellence. For more information, please visit the Sonoma Land Trust website.
We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment that is representative of the communities we serve. We know that having varied perspectives leads to better outcomes to solve the complex problems of conservation, climate change and environmental justice in Sonoma County. And to best serve the people of our community, we are taking the actions outlined in our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Plan.
To Apply
Please submit a resume and cover letter through BambooHR. In your cover letter, please describe why you're applying for this position. The deadline to apply is September 25, 2026. If you have any issues or questions about the application or to request an accommodation, please email: staffing@sonomalandtrust.org.
Sonoma Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We strive to create a diverse and inclusive organization and encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, national or regional origins, sexes, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, gender identities, military or veteran status or other status protected by law.

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