Friends of the Inyo Stewardship Director
Job Description

Overview
Friends of the Inyo’s stewardship director position is a year-round, full-time position responsible for the planning, execution, and management of Friends of the Inyo’s stewardship and education programs and projects. The stewardship director handles project and program logistics, risk management, partner coordination, and all aspects of funding the programs and projects. This includes applying for grants, budgeting, tracking, and reporting. The stewardship director also manages data collection, tool and equipment use and maintenance, training, seasonal staff hiring, volunteer management, and regular provision of photo and written assets to the organization. The stewardship director will also be responsible for working with other Friends of the Inyo staff to plan and lead events including those conducted in partnership with other organizations.
The position is based out of the Friends of the Inyo office in Bishop, California and reports to the executive director.

Roles and responsibilities

Stewardship

• Identify and pursue strategic programs and projects to provide effective stewardship of Eastern Sierra public lands in collaboration with land management agencies.
• Design, plan, and execute a variety of professional, public, and group stewardship projects and activities. This may include agency engagement, partner outreach and engagement, and logistics. Projects may require multiple days in remote locations.
• Work to secure funding for FOI’s stewardship programs and projects, including writing grant proposals and providing timely reporting.
• Hire, manage, and supervise seasonal stewardship staff. Ensure day to day operations, communication and coordination with on the ground crew and program leads to ensure projects are carried out properly.
• Recruit, develop, and maintain a base of active stewardship partners including other non-profits, local tribes, town and county governmental entities, educational institutions, civic organizations, or other public groups.
• Maintain active communications with federal and state land management agencies and local and regional partners.
• Facilitate group and public stewardship outings independently and/or in conjunction with other Friends of the Inyo staff.
• Regularly provide photo and written assets regarding stewardship programs and projects to support FOI stewardship program fundraising success.
• Maintain an accurate accomplishment and tracking database of stewardship outcomes.
• Oversee all digital data activities relating to stewardship programs. This includes protocol design, equipment and database management, data compilation and reporting, social media assets, and systems maintenance.

Education

• Plan and lead education offerings as needed with assistance from other Friends of the Inyo staff and Board members. These usually include:
  o    SnowSchool for Bishop, Mammoth, and Lee Vining
  o    Interpretive Hikes with Trail Ambassadors
  o    Earth Day at Round Valley Elementary
  o    Backcountry Film Festival
• Review logistics and safety components of all education offerings in conjunction with trip leaders and the Executive Director.
• Serve as an emergency contact for staff and trip leaders when indicated.
• Serve as point of contact for community stewardship events and tabling opportunities: Bishop Craggin Classic, FlashFoxy, Eastern Sierra Pride…
• Maintain functional equipment and first aid supplies for exploration program leaders.
• Serve as the staff lead for the FOI Stewardship Working Group.

Policy

• Share on-the-ground experience with partner and recreational groups to inform Friends of the Inyo’s advocacy efforts.
• Provide data to aid in conservation efforts. These include, but are not limited to, maps and geospatial data sets and data relating to management and past stewardship accomplishments.

Communications

• Regularly provide content, including photo and written assets regarding all FOI stewardship programs and projects, for use in social media, publications, and fundraising campaigns.
• Regularly provide updates regarding the successes, accomplishments, needs, and stories of the stewardship programs and projects.
• Develop regular, engaging social media posts in conjunction with stewardship and education projects and programs.
• Actively support fundraising activities, including but not limited to, grant activities, member cultivation, and targeted outreach to support the goals of the Stewardship program and Friends of the Inyo.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Extensive experience with back and front country travel and a high level of skill with  wilderness/mountain/desert travel, camping, safety, and restoration techniques.
• Strong leadership skills. Manage and lead a staff, volunteer groups, and partnerships in all settings including remote wilderness locations.
• Ability to work independently or in a group on a variety of concurrent projects.
• Knowledge of Eastern Sierra public lands, its history and issues, and experience with its topography and geography.
• Willingness to travel throughout Inyo and Mono counties, work nights and weekends, and spend periods of time in the field.
• Experience writing for many media, from grants and fundraising appeals to blog posts and social media content.
• Digital data and database management skills and experience with mapping software.
• Demonstrated experience in ecological restoration techniques, trail building and maintenance ability, comfort with restoration tools (both hand and motorized), recreational infrastructure maintenance and construction, and strong management skills.
• Ability to safely and repeatedly lift more than 40lbs. and travel upwards of 15 miles per day on foot carrying a heavy load.
• Demonstrated experience maintaining hand and power tools.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to manage and train staff and volunteers safely and efficiently.
• Current Wilderness First Responder and CPR certifications, and a valid CA driver’s license.