Land Stewardship Assistant

Title: Land Stewardship Assistant

Department/Location: Land Stewardship Program in the Ecology and Ecosystem Management Department

Position Type: Full-time, 12-month, 40 hours per week, contingent upon the availability of funding

Summary

This full-time staff member serves as Land Stewardship Assistant and is responsible for implementing land stewardship activities on the Principia College campus under the direction of the Director of Land Stewardship. Overall activities include, but are not limited to, supervising the Land Stewardship Work Crew; demonstrating good fieldwork skills; and operating EEM forestry tools and equipment, often independently.

As part of a close-knit, student-centered liberal arts college, Principia College faculty help prepare students for meaningful lives and careers through rigorous academics and applied learning experiences, including internships, study abroad, projects, and capstones. Our faculty also support Christian Science-based character education in accord with Principia's Mission and Guiding Statements. Principia College values a passion for educating, a commitment to scholarly engagement, and a spirit of service and collegiality. You will be a primary contributor to delivering on Principia’s academic vision:

"Principia College's academic unit strives to create a collaborative and inclusive academic community where everyone feels a sense of belonging and sees each other as infinitely capable and divinely whole. Our rigorous globally-focused curriculum and character-based approach honors diverse perspectives and develops creative problem solvers who use their academic skills to benefit their communities and the world."

Who We Are

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of Alumni & Friends.

At Principia College, our globally-focused curriculum honors diverse perspectives and develops creative changemakers who use their academic skills for good in service to themselves, their communities, and the world. In-depth study meets real-world experience through study abroad programs, internships, capstone projects, and a robust slate of student activities, including a world-renowned mediation team, top-ranked solar car team, and the nation’s oldest student-run public affairs conference.

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assists with resource inventories and population assessments
• Assists with forest and field management by planting, mowing, and spraying as needed
• Maintains databases containing resource information
• Trains and supervises student employees working for EEM and the land stewardship work crew
• Assists with the annual deer population control program, collecting information, recording harvests, and reporting poaching activity
• Assists with community-wide outreach efforts to communicate land stewardship activities
• Implements invasive species management program including spraying, mowing, and treatment activities
• Works with the Land Stewardship Manager on management of contractors and farm operators
• Assists with stewardship planning, resource use, and monitoring
• Assists with annual budget and purchasing of supplies
• Assists academic programs, research projects, and professors that utilize the land
• Attends relevant trainings and obtains certification in land stewardship-related skills

Core Competencies

Principia values the unique strengths each employee brings to their role. The following competencies are especially important for success at Principia:

• Continuous Learning & Expertise: Demonstrates mastery in your area of responsibility and seeks opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Accountability & Results Orientation: Manages time and priorities effectively, meets commitments, and consistently delivers high-quality outcomes.
• Problem Solving & Judgment: Approaches challenges thoughtfully, considers multiple perspectives, and makes sound, timely decisions that support institutional goals.
• Proactivity & Ownership: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and drives projects forward with minimal supervision while taking responsibility for outcomes.
• Excellence & Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, polished, and high-quality work; continuously looks for ways to improve systems, processes, and results.
• Service Orientation: Builds positive, supportive relationships and responds promptly and professionally to the needs of students, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Collaboration & Collegiality: Works cooperatively across departments and teams; values input from others and contributes to a positive, respectful environment.
• Communication: Shares information clearly and concisely; listens carefully to others and adjusts communication style for different audiences and situations.
• Inclusion & Belonging: Demonstrates respect for all people; values diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of inclusion, belonging, and mutual respect.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Student of Christian Science preferred
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements
• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Studies, Forestry, Wildlife Management, or other related field
• Knowledgeable of Midwestern ecology including forests and prairies
• Previous experience on natural resource work crews
• Proficient in GIS mobile data collection
• Possess relevant certifications
• Capable of working with power tools and heavy equipment
• Able to lift 50 pounds and work in adverse weather conditions in rough terrain
• Valid driver's license

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia.

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary range for this position commensurate with experience and qualifications.

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes:

• Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded).
• Relocation: Principia provides a relocation imbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles
• Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more.

Equal Opportunity

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status.

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.