Conservation Land Steward Intern

Position Title:               Conservation Land Steward Intern                Department:     Planning

Reports To:                  Exeter Conservation Commission                      Salary Range:   $17.00/hr.

FLSA Status:                Non-Exempt                                                    Closing Date:   June 20, 2025

POSITION DURATION:  The duration of employment is not to exceed 75 hours total with a minimum of 10 hours per week.  The day(s) of week are negotiable by selected candidates.  This is a temporary/seasonal position within the Town’s classification plan.  The positions are anticipated to start early July and continue through early-mid September. 

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Exeter Conservation Commission is seeking two qualified interns to assist with stewardship of conservation lands. Time will be spent inspecting and monitoring conservation lands and may include additional tasks such as trail maintenance, water quality monitoring, and other activities as assigned.  Interns will work as a team reporting to the Town’s Conservation and Sustainability Planner. Applicants must provide their own transportation to and from project sites. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS*:

Conservation land monitoring and inspection involves walking property boundaries, locating and marking boundary markers, inspection of lands for compliance with deed restrictions, meeting with property easement owners, and filing summary reports and photo logs. 

PREPARATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Ideal candidates would be current students pursuing a natural-resource related degree or individuals with a high school degree and demonstrated experience in natural resource-related field. In addition, the preferred candidate will possess the following skills: 

• Strong written and organizational skills.
• Capability of orienting through wooded areas using maps, survey plans, and a compass. Familiarity with Global Positioning System (GPS) unit or mobile phone tracking app is a plus.
• Ability to safely operate common hand tools for carpentry work such as trail bridge or sign repair. 
• Ability to work independently and make decisions in the course of carrying out duties and assigned responsibilities.
• Ability and willingness to present a neat appearance and project a favorable image to the public.
• Familiarity with standard software programs for word processing and data entry.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Applicants will spend extended periods performing outside work, subject to all weather conditions and irritants such as biting insects including ticks and mosquitoes, and plants such as poison ivy. 

Physical demands include:  sitting, standing, stooping, carrying equipment and traversing rough terrain.

Requires use of personal vehicle.  Successful candidate must have a valid driver’s license.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:   Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and 3 references to: 

Kristen Murphy, Town of Exeter, Planning Department, 10 Front Street, Exeter NH 03833

or electronically to kmurphy@exeternh.gov

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job.  The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

*External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.

May 23, 2025