Conservation Land Manager

Watersong Wild Space; Midland (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Watersong Wild Space in Texas seeks a Conservation Land Manager to lead stewardship of the preserve's natural resources and infrastructure, guiding land management, restoration, and education programs. The role oversees the Conservation Job Corps and collaborates with researchers and partners to advance Watersong's mission.

Responsibilities include developing annual plans, managing invasive species, maintaining infrastructure, and ensuring safety and compliance while engaging volunteers,

Qualifications

• Experience managing natural areas, wildlife habitat, parks, preserves, or ranch lands.
• Knowledge of West Texas ecosystems, native plants, invasive species management, and wildlife conservation.
• Experience operating tractors, UTVs, trailers, power equipment, and hand tools.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to supervise seasonal staff, interns, volunteers, and youth participants.
• Valid Texas driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual land management plans that support Watersong's conservation goals.
• Manage invasive species using mechanical, chemical, and biological control methods.
• Plan and oversee native vegetation restoration projects.
• Maintain infrastructure including trails, boardwalks, observation areas, fencing, signage, water wells, and irrigation systems.
• Assist with playa and water quality management.
• Participate in conservation outreach activities and initiatives.
• Utilize GIS, drones, GPS, and other technologies to support conservation planning and monitoring.
• Serve as a primary staff leader for Watersong's Conservation Job Corps program.
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise all conservation field projects completed by Job Corps participants.
• Mentor and develop interns through hands-on conservation work, leadership development, and professional skill building.
• Teach land stewardship principles, habitat restoration techniques, equipment operation, workplace safety, and conservation ethics.
• Coordinate with partner organizations throughout Texas to facilitate educational experiences and field visits.
• Ensure participant safety while maintaining a productive and engaging learning environment.
• Evaluate participant performance and provide coaching and mentorship throughout the program.
• Help recruit future participants and continuously improve the program.
• Lead, recruit, and plan volunteer workdays focused on habitat restoration, trail maintenance, and stewardship.
• Collaborate with researchers, universities, and conservation partners on ecological projects.
• Serve as an ambassador for Watersong by engaging visitors, volunteers, donors, and community stakeholders.
• Promote environmental stewardship through public outreach and educational activities.
• Maintain conservation equipment, tools, vehicles, and supplies.
• Maintain crucial infrastructure including water wells and irrigation systems
• Coordinate contractors performing ecological restoration and maintenance work.
• Ensure compliance with all safety standards and applicable environmental regulations.
• Prepare reports documenting conservation activities, monitoring data, and project outcomes.
• Assist with grant implementation, data collection, and reporting requirements.
• Develop annual work plans and assist with budgeting for conservation and maintenance operations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources or related field

Tools

Tractors

UTVs

GPS

GIS mapping

Drones

Job description

Conservation Land Manager Position Summary

The Conservation Land Manager is responsible for maintaining, protecting, restoring, and enhancing the natural resources and infrastructure of Watersong Wild Space. This position leads all land management activities while ensuring the ecological health of the preserve supports education, research, recreation, and community wellness.

The Conservation Land Manager also serves as the primary staff leader for Watersong's Conservation Job Corps program, providing leadership, mentorship, and hands‑on instruction to the next generation of conservation professionals. Working collaboratively with staff, volunteers, researchers, contractors, and community partners, this position plays a vital role in advancing Watersong's mission through conservation stewardship, education, and public engagement.

Essential Land Management Responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual land management plans that support Watersong's conservation goals.
• Manage invasive species using mechanical, chemical, and biological control methods.
• Plan and oversee native vegetation restoration projects.
• Maintain all infrastructure including trails, boardwalks, observation areas, fencing, signage, water wells, and irrigation systems
• Assist with playa and water quality management
• Participate in conservation outreach activities and initiatives
• Utilize GIS, drones, GPS, and other technologies to support conservation planning and monitoring.

Conservation Job Corps Leadership

• Serve as a primary staff leader for Watersong's Conservation Job Corps program
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise all conservation field projects completed by Job Corps participants.
• Mentor and develop high school interns through hands‑on conservation work, leadership development, and professional skill building.
• Teach land stewardship principles, habitat restoration techniques, equipment operation, workplace safety, and conservation ethics.
• Coordinate with partner organizations throughout Texas to facilitate educational experiences and field visits.
• Ensure participant safety while maintaining a productive and engaging learning environment.
• Evaluate participant performance and provide coaching and mentorship throughout the program.
• Help recruit future participants and continuously improve the program.

Education & Community Engagement

• Support Watersong's environmental education programs through field instruction and demonstrations.
• Lead, recruit, and plan volunteer workdays focused on habitat restoration, trail maintenance, and stewardship.
• Collaborate with researchers, universities, and conservation partners on ecological projects.
• Serve as an ambassador for Watersong by engaging visitors, volunteers, donors, and community stakeholders.
• Promote environmental stewardship through public outreach and educational activities.

Operations & Administration

• Maintain conservation equipment, tools, vehicles, and supplies.
• Maintain crucial infrastructure including water wells and irrigation systems
• Coordinate contractors performing ecological restoration and maintenance work.
• Ensure compliance with all safety standards and applicable environmental regulations.
• Prepare reports documenting conservation activities, monitoring data, and project outcomes.
• Assist with grant implementation, data collection, and reporting requirements.
• Develop annual work plans and assist with budgeting for conservation and maintenance operations.

Qualifications

• Experience managing natural areas, wildlife habitat, parks, preserves, or ranch lands.
• Knowledge of West Texas ecosystems, native plants, invasive species management, and wildlife conservation.
• Experience operating tractors, UTVs, trailers, power equipment, and hand tools.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to supervise seasonal staff, interns, volunteers, and youth participants.
• Valid Texas driver's license.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a team.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources, Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Range Management, Forestry, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Texas Herbicide Applicator License (or ability to obtain).
• Experience with drone operations, GIS mapping, and ecological monitoring.
• Prescribed burn or wildfire management experience.
• Experience with maintaining and installing irrigation systems
• Experience managing grant‑funded conservation projects.
• CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Experience supervising youth education or internship programs.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Safely operate equipment and vehicles.
• Perform physically demanding conservation and maintenance tasks.

Desired Characteristics

• Passion for conservation and environmental stewardship.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Self‑motivated with excellent problem‑solving skills.
• Collaborative and team‑oriented.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Commitment to Watersong's mission of connecting people with nature through conservation, education, research, and wellness.