Beach Operations Lead

Beach Operations Lead

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is Massachusetts' premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees' preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households.

Salary/Hourly Rate: $29.44 - $37.86/hour

Hours per week: 40

Job Classification: Full-time, non-exempt

Job Type: Onsite

Location: Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge, Nantucket, MA

The Role:

Do you want to work on the front lines of conservation - where coastal wilderness, community, and public access intersect every day? As the Beach Operations Lead, you will play a pivotal leadership role in stewarding the 1,100-acre Coskata–Coatue Wildlife Refuge and the adjacent Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge. In collaboration with the Refuge Manager, you'll help protect a nationally significant landscape while creating a safe, welcoming, and meaningful visitor experience in one of Nantucket's most iconic natural places.

About Coskata–Coatue Wildlife Refuge:

Coskata–Coatue is globally rare in its geomorphology and ecologically irreplaceable. In 2024, the refuge was designated a National Natural Landmark, recognizing its exceptional natural integrity and national significance. The landscape supports rare and endangered species, some of Nantucket's oldest trees, one of six important white shark areas along the Atlantic Coast, and one of only four gray seal breeding areas in the United States.

Each year, nearly 50,000 visitors experience Coskata–Coatue through guided tours, fishing, walking, and permitted over-sand vehicle (OSV) access - all carefully managed to balance public enjoyment with habitat and wildlife protection. This position sits at the heart of that balance.

Specifically, you'll:

• Assist the Refuge Manager in leading day-to-day beach operations and steward, protect, and manage public access across the refuge.
• Implement operations using an adaptive management approach aligned with The Trustees' Beach Management Plan, Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Guidelines, and applicable state and local wetland regulations.
• Assist the Refuge Manager in hiring, training, and managing seasonal staff, including rangers, gatehouse staff, and tour guides.
• Maintain and groom OSV trails; oversee symbolic fencing and signage to clearly delineate OSV trails and sensitive habitat areas.
• Assess beach and wildlife conditions regularly and recommend OSV access and restrictions as conditions evolve.
• Serve as a key communicator, sharing real-time beach conditions and access updates with visitors, neighbors, and stakeholders via text, email, and other channels.
• Support OSV permit and tour programs, helping achieve revenue and visitation goals.
• Assist the Refuge Manager in meeting budget targets and operational efficiencies.
• Identify staffing, equipment, and financial resources needed to deliver an exceptional visitor experience.
• Oversee critical database and operational systems to ensure accuracy and prevent data loss.
• Build and steward strong relationships within the Nantucket community to expand access, reach new audiences, and maintain a welcoming, inclusive environment.
• During the off-season, assist with tours and educational programming, particularly for island students and nonprofit partners.
• Develop and implement proactive, systematic approaches to ongoing community engagement.
• Foster authentic local partnerships that deepen community connection and support for the refuge.
• Collaborate with The Trustees' coastal ecologist and ecology teams to protect rare and endangered species, with a strong focus on shorebirds.
• Communicate and enforce wildlife protection measures with clarity, consistency, and professionalism.
• Support logistics for coastal resilience and restoration projects in partnership with the Coastal Project Manager.
• Provide regular reports, documentation, and photographic records to support internal coordination and long-term management.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position (40 hours/week) reporting directly to the Refuge Manager.