The Independence Lake Preserve Assistant is responsible for the daily operation and management of the Nature Conservancy’s Independence Lake Preserve. The Preserve is a 2,300-acre nature preserve that is situated in the Sierra Nevada in Sierra and Nevada Counties in California, approximately 15 miles north of Truckee, CA. The Preserve Assistant will implement the day to day activities of the preserve including overall preserve and facilities maintenance, public outreach and recreation management, and other related activities, under the supervision of the Independence Lake Preserve Manager. Some of the Assistant’s time will be spent working in the field with volunteers, interacting with the public, and will assist the Watercraft Manager with the in-basin watercraft program. This position requires working independently and as part of a team, sometimes in difficult physical conditions. This is a 6-month seasonal position beginning in May. Must have valid driver’s license and safe driving record. The Preserve Assistant will be expected to live at the Preserve in a camper/travel trailer.

 

The Independence Lake Preserve Assistant participates in preserve operations, maintenance, and management. This may include one or more of the following functions.

• Maintaining preserve areas frequented by the visiting public.
• Interacting with the public on nearly a daily basis, including assisting with operation of an on-site watercraft program (motorboats and kayaks) for the public.
• Providing visitors to the preserve a safe and positive experience with the Conservancy.
• Monitoring for the presence of invasive species and removing invasive species, as appropriate.
• Assisting with a variety of management tasks including but not limited to: electric fence maintenance and construction, building and equipment maintenance, trail layout and clearing, posting signs and other tasks as necessary.
• Maintaining preserve buildings, tools and equipment (e.g., generators, solar arrays, water systems, motorboats, kayaks, etc.)
• Assisting with research, habitat restoration projects, and scientific monitoring/data collection.