Company description

Khuba International is a black-led non-profit organization that seeks to integrate youth education, sustainable agriculture, and community development through hands-on programming and inclusive partnership-building.
We are based in Tompkins County, New York. Our activities particularly seek to engage and empower community members impacted by racism, redlining, and colonization, and families from disadvantaged backgrounds. We support black community members of Central New York that wish to access land and farm.

Our areas of focus include: BIPOC farming, black-led land access, food sovereignty, literacy, and sustainable agriculture outreach. Programming ranges from free and low-cost book distribution to youth of African and/or Indigenous ancestry and students needing expanded access to home libraries, to the installation of raised beds for African diaspora and food insecure families.

Job description

FOREST STEWARD JOB DESCRIPTION

Ideal start date: January 10, 2025
Part time  (25 hours per week) 
$29.30  per hour with 5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) per year
Travel to partner lands will be reimbursed at federal rate (currently $0.67 / mi) 
Grant funded position for 3 years with expectation for continued funding
This is a contracted 1099 position
Benefits accrue after first 90 days of employment 
Location: in / near Ithaca, NY (Hours include: 5 hours onsite at Khuba’s Learning Farm, 10 hrs / week in the field; 5 hrs remote work). Note: some site visits are up to 1.5 hrs from Ithaca. 

ABOUT KHUBA INTERNATIONAL 

 

Khuba International is a Black-led non-profit organization that seeks to integrate youth education, sustainable agriculture, forest stewardship, and community development through hands-on programming and inclusive partnership-building.

Our areas of focus include: Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) land access,  farming, food sovereignty, literacy, sustainable agriculture, and forest education. 

For more information: Khuba International 

FOREST STEWARD POSITION: 

Khuba International is in search of a highly self-motivated, flexible and organized individual, passionate about community and  the environment, to work with historically marginalized forest landowners in their goals regarding emerging markets and forest stewardship practices. The goal of the Forest Steward position is to develop forest plans, support and maintain forest lands at Khuba International’s  Learning Farm in addition to project participants’ forests, and participate as forest educator at Khuba’s Forest Stewardship Education workshops. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop relationships with forest owners to understand their goals regarding their forested lands. 
Develop forest plans for forestland owners that include best management practices and market opportunities. 
Develop management strategies for forestland owners regarding thinning, planting, silvopasture strategies, understory growth, and forest health. 
Participate as Forest Steward educator in Forest Stewardship Education workshops conducted by Khuba International. 
Be connected to regional resources for forest stewardship, including funding and programming on local, state and federal levels. 
Build and maintain relationships with forest experts regarding forest health and market access, including silvopasture, ecosystem services, and other emerging opportunities.
Oversee forester contracting as needed. 
Engage and work with volunteers for forest plantings and maintenance work.
The Forest Steward reports to the Executive Director and the Project Manager. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Degree in forestry, environmental science, natural resource management, or related field
5+ yrs Experience in forest education or forest management 
Familiarity with forest related emerging markets (Ecosystem Services, Silvopasture, Orcharding, Carbon Offset markets, etc) 
History of work with diverse communities
Experience in project management
Understanding of regulatory compliance regarding forest and land use
Record keeping and reporting experience
Endurance for physical stamina
Strong communication skills
Deeply engaged in equity landowner priorities

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

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Deadline

December 05, 2024