Land Steward
The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission (SWSC) is hiring a Land Steward to work in the watersheds of Cobble Mountain Reservoir in Blandford, MA, and Ludlow Reservoir, in Ludlow, MA. The Land Steward is part of the Water Resources Team supporting the drinking water treatment plant in Westfield, MA, and assists with on-the-ground management and monitoring of approximately 19,000 acres of Commission-owned water supply property within eight municipalities: Westfield, Russell, Granville, Tolland, Blandford, Otis, Ludlow, and Belchertown. This is a field-based position and the duties include substantial work outdoors as well as computer work in an office setting.
This is an entry level position requiring a BA degree in environmental science, natural resource management, or a related field. The preferred candidate will also have one to two years of experience (paid work, volunteering, and/or field-based internship). The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent interpersonal communication skills; excellent writing skills; and, the ability to work independently with guidance but minimal direct oversight. A complete job description is available upon request.
Requirements include:
- Knowledge of the principles, theories and practices of natural resource management, including wetlands, wildlife, forestry and ecology
- Ability to learn and recognize native plants and non-native invasive vegetation, especially woody trees, vines, and shrubs
- Ability to navigate off trail in the forest, and perform manual labor outside for long hours on uneven terrain in all four seasons
- Experience safely using forestry tools including chainsaw, weed whacker, and hand tools
- Strong computer skills, computational/math skills, and organizational skills
The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission was established in 1996 as an independently operated and managed regional water and wastewater utility that provides retail and wholesale water and sewer service to approximately 250,000 residential and business customers across multiple communities in the lower Pioneer Valley. SWSC’s mission is to provide an uninterrupted, high-quality supply of water to our customers, to collect and treat wastewater, and return clean water to the environment. SWSC has approximately 250 employees that operate and maintain a system of one thousand miles of water and sewer pipe, treatment plants, reservoirs, watershed land, dams, and other critically important infrastructure that serves the public.
While fulfilling our mission we strive to:
• Conserve and protect our reliable, high-quality water supply for present and future generations
• Meet or surpass public health standards for drinking water
• Act of stewards of the environment and manage our lands responsibly
• Develop and promote a skilled, safe, and professional workforce
Typical duties for this position are wide-ranging and include:
1. Monitoring the condition of Commission land, documenting road and culvert condition, performing ecological surveys (including invasive plants), marking property boundaries, documenting ATV and other land trespassing issues, assisting with forest management work, removing invasive species, maintaining watershed signage, and trash and debris clean-up.
2. Coordinating with Commission GIS department to update location records for watershed data layers.
3. Assisting in the development and implementation of relevant watershed planning documents such as source water protection plans, forest stewardship plans, land management plans, and beaver management plans
4. Assisting in the preparation of presentations at public meetings before a variety of diverse groups, and informs visitors about the significance of source water protection for public drinking water supplies.
The hiring range for this position is $57,000-$60,000. SWSC offers a benefit package that includes paid sick, personal, and vacation time as well as Blue Cross Blue Shield health and dental insurance. The typical workday is M-F 7:00-3:30. The Land Steward might occasionally be required to attend evening meetings. This position is hourly and eligible for overtime. The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission is a public sector employer and time spent working at SWSC counts for federal loan forgiveness (please check with your lender to see if your loan qualifies).
For information about SWSC including its current projects, please visit our YouTube channel.
Review of applications will begin on Monday, May 11, 2026. Position will remain posted on a day-by-day basis as needed after May 11, 2026. We require a cover letter as part of your application. A cover letter should explain in your own words how your education, experience, skills, and/or background make you qualified for the position.