Land Stewardship Manager

Reflection Riding seeks a Land Stewardship Manager to oversee the health, safety, and ecological integrity of our 300-acre campus. This role will lead land management efforts, including invasive species removal, habitat restoration, tree care, and native plant-focused restoration strategies, while supporting trail safety and visual appeal. As a mission-aligned leader, the Land Stewardship Manager will collaborate with education, conservation, and volunteer teams to ensure our natural spaces are safe, accessible, and thriving. 

Our landscape is rich with ecological significance and is part of a deeply layered cultural landscape. The Land Stewardship Manager will honor and integrate the historical and cultural context of the land—including its Indigenous, agricultural, and community legacies—into restoration planning and care. This position is both strategic and hands-on: the ideal candidate is as comfortable operating a chainsaw as they are mentoring an apprentice, leading a volunteer workday, or facilitating a public weed wrangle. 

This position is both strategic and hands-on: the ideal candidate is as comfortable operating a chainsaw as they are mentoring an apprentice, leading a volunteer workday, or facilitating a public weed wrangle. We are especially interested in applicants with a background in tree care, invasive species management, prescribed fire, and public engagement, and we encourage arborists and burn-certified individuals to apply. While certifications are not required, we are happy to support the right candidate in pursuing professional development in these areas. 

The Land Stewardship Manager will play a key leadership role in shaping and managing a dynamic, growing team. The Land Stewardship Manager will be responsible for supervising grounds and nursery support staff—including horticultural educators, grounds stewards, and others—as they are hired. Strong personnel management skills, including the ability to build and guide a team, delegate effectively, and foster a collaborative work environment, are essential.

Key Responsibilities 
● Campus Stewardship: Oversee the ecological and visual integrity of Reflection Riding's campus, focusing on safety and aesthetics. This includes clearing downed trees, trimming for visibility and access, aesthetic pruning, and ensuring public areas are welcoming and hazard-free. 
● Invasive Species Control and Restoration: Implement and coordinate invasive plant removal strategies, including mechanical and chemical methods. Lead restoration efforts that prioritize native plant communities and ecological resilience. 
● Native Plant Integration and Care: Promote the use and establishment of native plant habitat across campus and in the broader community through propagation support, planting projects, and educational engagement. Collaborate with the nursery team to align efforts with broader restoration goals. 
● Tree Care: Monitor and manage tree health across campus, and help reduce the need for contracted arborist work through in-house tree knowledge and care. Apply practical and scientific knowledge to support the ongoing care of our arboretum and contribute to strategic initiatives, including public education. Balance pruning and removal priorities between safety and aesthetics. Create a “level of management” map between developed and wild areas. 
● Tool and Equipment Management: Oversee the care, maintenance, and safe operation of land management tools and machinery, including chainsaws, chippers, brush cutters, and other mechanical equipment. Maintain inventory and ensure safety protocols are followed. 
● Personnel Management: Supervise and support a developing team of land and nursery staff. Provide coaching, training, scheduling, and performance feedback to ensure high-functioning, collaborative field operations. 
● Public Engagement: Lead programs such as Weed Wrangles, Tree ID walks, and restoration events. Work closely with the education team on interpretive and volunteer-facing programming. 
● Volunteer & Apprentice Leadership: Inspire, mentor, and supervise seasonal team members, volunteers, and youth apprentices in field-based conservation work that achieves real, lasting outcomes. 
● Safety and Compliance: Ensure compliance with relevant safety protocols, land use regulations, and sustainability practices. Uphold and model land stewardship safety protocols for all staff, volunteers, and program participants. 
● Land Management Planning: Collaboratively develop and update a comprehensive land management plan for the campus, ensuring that all practices align with Reflection Riding’s mission and ecological goals. 
● Cross-team Collaboration: Partner with facilities, education, and operations staff to coordinate land use and seasonal campus needs.