Colorado State, Colorado, USA

#LI-POST

CO201

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

The Nature Conservancy (“TNC”) owns and manages a system of nature preserves and holds conservation easements on private lands throughout the United States. The Conservation Interest Steward (“Steward”) will be responsible for implementing land management, infrastructure, and restoration on several TNC preserves, and monitoring a set of conservation easements in Colorado.

The Steward will work other TNC staff and the agricultural lessees to develop, implement, and manage conservation and restoration projects on TNC’s 14,070-acre Fox Ranch Preserve and 240-acre Conrad Prairie Chicken Preserve, in Yuma County, Colorado. The Steward communicates and coordinates with TNC agricultural lessees and permitees to ensure infrastructure including buildings, fences, roads and agricultural systems are maintained. The Steward also supervises college students in seasonal staff positions and manages volunteers to conserve biologically important natural systems and individual species. They collaborate with Philanthropy and Marketing staff to host positive preserve visit experiences by diverse partners, funders, decision-makers, and the public. The Steward ensures that all legal obligations are met, and all required management plans, leases and contracts are current. The Steward may assist with or manage additional land acquisitions as needed in Colorado.

The Steward conducts annual compliance monitoring visits and plans, directs, and implements ecological monitoring on a portfolio of conservation easements. They address compliance issues on a set of conservation easements in collaboration with the Conservation, Legal and Science staff. The Steward is responsible for forming partnerships with private and public individuals and/or organizations across boundaries to communicate TNC’s goals, develop shared resources and implement creative solutions to abate conservation threats and challenges and thereby engage support for conservation. The Steward will participate in hiring, supervising, and training interns and volunteers to support stewardship priorities in Colorado’s eastern plains and other conservation areas in Colorado. The Steward will assist with administrative tasks, such as preparing annual reports for funders and addressing inquiries from the public about land-related matters. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

This position may be based at the TNC office in Boulder, Colorado or a home office in reasonable proximity to the eastern plains of Colorado. The Steward will be expected to be onsite on the preserves as needed to perform fieldwork and to host field trips. Additional travel is expected for conservation easement monitoring and meetings.

As the Conservation Interest Steward, you are a skilled land manager and conservation easement monitor, committed to overseeing our conservation efforts in important ecosystems. You will work with innovative and passionate colleagues, local landowners, TNC supporters, and a wide range of partners as you steward TNC’s land interests, coordinate opportunities to connect people with nature through our conservation lands, and efficiently resolve issues. You will bring an organized and thorough approach to planning and communicating about visits and events and documenting compliance on conservation easements. Not only will you fulfil conservation objectives as a member of the Resilient Lands Team for the Colorado Chapter, but you’ll contribute to broader chapter-wide conservation goals. If you’re looking for a career where you can find meaning and purpose, come join our chapter as the Conservation Interest Steward.

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing staff or volunteers.
• Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., media, government officials, internal 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 in training.
• A valid driver’s license

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 3-5 years’ experience in natural resource management, similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 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, particularly on prairie grazing lands.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.
• Experience guiding recreational tours (e.g., hiking and fishing) with participants of diverse ages, backgrounds, and levels of outdoor skills.
• A demonstrated level of awareness, understanding of and ability to communicate about diversity, equity, and inclusion as they relate to environmental conservation.
• Experience operating and repairing hand tools used for trail and building maintenance and/or other types of equipment and machinery.

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!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including; health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, accrued paid time off (including annual, personal, and sick leave), life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellness benefits. Benefits may be subject to generally applicable eligibility, waiting period, contribution, and other requirements and conditions. Learn more about our benefits at nature.org/careers. We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellness, and flexibility needs of the people we employ.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

The estimated starting salary for this position is dependent on location in Colorado, qualifications and experience. The starting salary is $49,000 to $68,000 annually.

To apply for job ID# 53348, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on 5/22/23. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

Where legally permissible, TNC requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated and willing to keep up to date with vaccines that protect against COVID-19. By accepting an offer of employment, you agree to comply with this requirement, unless you are entitled to a legally mandated exemption.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.