Summer Land Steward

• $16.00-$18.00/hour 

•  Part-Time: 12 hour per week; flexible schedule

• May-September 2026

Are you passionate about beneficial stewardship of the environment and improving sustainable access to preserved landscapes? Join CPF and assist with summer maintenance and projects on public access preserve properties and 14 miles of trails.

Responsibilities:

• Complete stewardship projects on public-access preserve properties. Projects vary and may include repairs to benches, kiosks, bridges, trails and parking areas; implementing invasive species management strategies; installation of trail traffic counters or signage; or other tasks outlined in property management plans. 

• Complete regular maintenance at CPF public trails and properties; weed whacking, mowing, pruning, trash pickup, etc. 

• Assist Land Stewardship Manager and Stewardship Committee members in preparation for CPF volunteer workdays; plan projects, procure and stage materials, site prep, etc. 

• Assist work crews and/or lead a project team on Trail Thursdays and Saturday workdays. 

• Participate in monthly Stewardship Committee meetings to actively contribute to strategy development and land stewardship decision making. 

• Assist with annual monitoring of CPF-owned properties using cloud-based Landscape land management database and mobile app for collecting georeferenced field monitoring data. 

Requirements:

• Candidate must be physically capable of working in the outdoors and comfortable navigating off-trail; 

• Ability to work independently; 

• Attention to detail; 

• Excellent task and time management skills; 

• Experience making and documenting observations in the field; 

• Experience using basic hand and power tools and landscaping equipment;

• Must be at least 18 years of age; and

• Candidate must have own transportation. Travel between the CPF office and CPF field locations will be reimbursed at the 2026 federal mileage rate. 

Preferred Experience:

• Chainsaw certification; 

• Experience operating light equipment (skid steer, Dingo); 

• Educational and/or work experience in the fields of conservation management, landscape planning, ecology, environmental studies, forestry or another related field; and/or 

• Prior trail construction or maintenance experience. 

Schedule:

The position is approximately 12 hours/week, from May to September, with a possible extension, depending on project support needs. Flexible scheduling.

Pay Rate:

$16.00-$18.00/hour, commensurate with skills and experience. 

To Apply:

Interested candidates should provide a resume and cover letter to Jen Wong, CPF Executive Director, at jwong@cazpreservation.org. 

About CPF:

CPF is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) accredited land trust protecting important historic, agricultural, and natural resources in and around the Cazenovia community in Central New York. CPF protects approximately 3,400 acres of farmland and scenic landscapes through conservation easements and owns over 430 acres of open space and fourteen miles of public-use trails. CPF also holds twelve architectural easements that help maintain the character of the historic village center and surrounding area. In addition to its ongoing conservation and land stewardship work, CPF also offers over 20 free or low-cost recreational and educational programs for adults and children each year. For more information about CPF and its programs, visit cazpreservation.org