Mainspring Conservation Trust, Inc. (Mainspring) is a nationally accredited, nonprofit conservation land trust and is one of the leading environmental organizations in western North Carolina. Mainspring employs a staff of eleven, with an annual operating budget exceeding $1.5 million. Mainspring’s service area encompasses 1.8 million acres and includes the six western-most counties in North Carolina – Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon and Swain – and northern Rabun County, Georgia.
Mainspring has conserved more than 29,000 acres since its inception in 1997. From more traditional conservation methods like conservation easements to programs that teach youth about the importance of clean water, to transforming contaminated brownfield sites into green community spaces, Mainspring is the driving force for conservation in the Southern Blue Ridge.
Headquartered in Franklin, North Carolina, Mainspring seeks to hire a Stewardship Associate to support Mainspring’s efforts in stewardship of conserved land throughout Mainspring’s service area. The Stewardship Associate will report to the Land Stewardship Manager and will provide support to that position. The position will be based out of Mainspring’s office in Franklin, with responsibilities requiring travel throughout the region regularly.
Responsibilities Include:
- Monitor assigned conservation easement properties
- Review conservation easement deeds, baseline documentation reports, past monitoring reports and other documentation
- Communicate effectively with landowners
- Make site visits to conservation easement properties, which are sometimes steep, remote or difficult to access
- Record observations and document in a monitoring report
- Maintain and update conservation easement records and databases
- Author assigned baseline documentation reports
- Research deeds, management plans, historical maps, aerial imagery and other documents
- Conduct property site visits to evaluate and document natural resources, conservation values, species inventories, land-use practices, property boundaries, and boundary encroachments
- Document natural and human features with photos and GPS locations.
- Create a detailed report including a written narrative, maps and photos to serve as the basis for future easement stewardship
- Maintain Mainspring’s preserves and other fee simple properties
- Work with other staff, volunteers and contractors to achieve Mainspring’s goals for habitat management and public access
- Control invasive exotic species with mechanical and chemical means
- Manage vegetation in early successional habitats
- Build and rehabilitate trails
- Create interpretive signage and brochures about the natural and cultural history of Mainspring properties
- Maintain relationships with farm lessees, Cherokee artisans, neighbors and other stakeholders
- Write management plans and property profiles for Mainspring properties
- Assist with grant proposals and reports as needed;
- GIS mapping of property features and projects as needed;
- Work with other staff, volunteers and contractors to achieve Mainspring’s goals for habitat management and public access
- Self-teach and take advantage of staff development opportunities including attending Land Trust Alliance Rally, webinars, etc. to learn all aspects of voluntary land protection and stewardship of conservation easements; and
- Assist Communications, Conservation Outreach, Land Conservation and Aquatics staff as needed.
Qualifications Include:
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in natural resources, environmental science, or a related field;
- Prior land trust experience such as land conservation and/or stewardship experience is preferred;
- Excellent organization skills and attention to detail;
- Excellent communication skills;
- Proficient in Microsoft Office programs and ArcGIS Pro;
- Chainsaw certification is preferred;
- A motivated self-learner; and
- A team member with flexibility and a sense of humor.
Salary and Benefits
The Stewardship Associate will be a full-time position with a salary commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits include health and dental insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, and an employer-sponsored retirement benefit plan. The anticipated salary range for this position is $36,000 to $44,000.
Email your cover letter, resume, and references electronically, with “SA Position 2025” as the subject by August 31, 2025.
