Assistant Preserve Manager

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor.

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Prairie Coteau Program is based in Clear Lake, SD, and manages twelve (12) TNC sites across Eastern South Dakota and Southwest Minnesota. The sites consist of rare calcareous fens, pothole wetlands, restorations, and native grasslands. In SD, there is ~20% of the original Prairie Coteau still in a grass and that equates to ~1M acres. The landscape is a matrix of crop ground and native grasslands. We are seeking a Prairie Coteau Field Steward to thrive in this landscape. The Field Steward will be a part of a larger TNC Chapter team and will work directly with the Prairie Coteau Program Manager.

As the Field Steward, your primary responsibility will be to identify goals and objectives in collaboration with the program manager and others and effectively utilize resources (including seasonal employees) to achieve identified goals and complete project work plans. You will also help develop and implement various conservation management techniques such as grazing, prescribed fire (leading the fire line,) and invasive species management practices. You will be responsible for leading seasonal employees, equipment maintenance, facilities management, and administrative tasks associated with projects.

Other responsibilities include:

• Assist with planning and implementing ecological management plans and projects on TNC lands in SD and MN.
• Lead work teams to address critical threats to natural systems and individual species.
• Foster cross-site learning among the conservation community.
• Supply conservation planning with site level information relevant to the planning process.

We’re Looking for You:

If you’re looking for a career where you can find meaning and purpose in the great outdoors, come join our Chapter as the Prairie Coteau Field Steward. Not only will you fulfil conservation objectives in the beautiful landscape of Eastern SD and Southwest MN, but you will be contributing to TNC’s larger goals in many networks.

You will work under minimal and/or distant supervision; so be able to make independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context is critical. You can expect to work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. This position will require irregular work hours and long days, some overnight travel, and occasional work at other Chapter programs across ND, SD, and MN.

What You’ll Bring:

• Associates degree with 5 years of experience OR a Bachelor’s degree with 3 years’ experience in natural resource management OR similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in operating/maintaining various farm equipment and maintaining facilities.
• Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., landowners, media, government employees, scientists.
• Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
• Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
• Experience managing staff or volunteers.

In addition, the following desired skills and/or experiences would be an asset for this role but are not required to apply. For applicants without these, please view these as areas or skillsets as growth and professional development that you will achieve on the job.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must acquire a DOT medical certificate within 3 months of starting date.
• Must achieve physical fitness standards as determined by the local Fire Program Manager and the TNC Fire Manual.

• Must be qualified, or able to become qualified, as a Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2)

• Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
• Familiarity with principles of land acquisition or similar asset acquisition.
• Knowledge of ecological land management principles.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.
• Ability to obtain related licenses or certifications as required including: First Aid, CPR, herbicide or pesticide application.
• Experience controlling invasive species in prairie ecosystems via herbicide application from UTVs, ATVs, and backpack sprayers.
• Experience working with or around livestock (cattle) and working with grazing practices and fencing systems.
• Experience with plant identification in the Great Plains.
• Experience with natural systems and ecological land management principles.
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.

Additional Job Information:

This role will report to the Prairie Coteau office/shop located in Clear Lake, SD.

Nearby towns with ~20K residents: Watertown and Brookings, SD
Clear Lake has a population of ~1,300.

What We Bring:

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!