Preserve Manager - Hot Springs, SD

The Nature Conservancy (All); Hot Springs (SD); On-site; USD 54,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing available for lease

Comprehensive benefits package

Flexible work environment

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy (All) is looking for a Preserve Manager to lead conservation efforts in the southern Black Hills. This full-time role involves managing projects, supervising staff, and engaging with local communities to address environmental challenges.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in natural resource management, with at least three years of experience and the ability to lead diverse teams. The position also provides housing opportunities near Hot Springs, SD.

Qualifications

• 3 years experience in natural resource management or similar field.
• Experience managing or leading teams.
• Must be a qualified Fire Fighter Type 2.

Responsibilities

• Manage conservation projects in southern Black Hills.
• Develop and implement conservation strategies.
• Supervise staff and interns.

Skills

Natural resource management

Staff management

Public communication

Independent task completion

Software applications

Equipment operation

Infrastructure maintenance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management or related field

Tools

GIS

GPS

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together:

As a Preserve Manager, you will provide day-to-day project management, leadership, and implementation of conservation projects within and around the southern Black Hills conservation area and develop projects in coordination with internal and external partners. You will address critical threats to natural systems and individual species, foster cross-site learning among the conservation community and local landowners, and supply conservation planning teams with site or landscape level information relevant to the planning process.

Additionally, you will be responsible for developing and implementing conservation strategies around climate adaptation, fuels reduction, grazing management, and employ a full range of tools to secure public and private support for TNC’s priorities. You will also contribute to building relationships with local Indigenous communities and Tribal Nations, and partner together for projects and events.

Additional duties include, but may not be limited to:

• Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
• Supervise interns and contractors, and may also supervise technical, administrative, and professional TNC staff with responsibility for performance management, training and development.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Develops, implements, and delivers local programs/projects that align with TNC’s mission and goals.
• Negotiates/writes agreements and leases and handles compliance issues in cooperation with other staff.
• Develops and manages budget, negotiating, and contracting with vendors, and supporting fundraising and donor stewardship efforts.
• Performs ecological management tasks such as biological monitoring, invasive species control, grazing and fire management.
• Travels to other sites to provide stewardship of other properties, assist other programs, and for trainings or meetings as needed.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and uneven terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

In order to effectively conduct the essential functions of the position, the Preserve Manager is expected to live within a reasonable distance from the Whitney Preserve, near Hot Springs, SD, as agreed upon with the supervisor, so that the Manager is able to respond to urgent and routine issues and events on the preserve including but not limited to security, equipment failures, and visitors.

Housing for the Manager and immediate family is available for lease on the Whitney Preserve.

This is a full-time, exempt position with the expectation that you may be required to work more than 40 hours per week to meet the goals of the position. Some evening and weekend hours may be required.

We’re Looking for You:

Through the efforts of The Nature Conservancy, over 188,000 acres in South Dakota have been preserved for people and nature. From the grasslands to the wetlands, to forests and prairies, the MNDK Chapter is dedicated to conserving the natural resources that make our regions unique.

We’re looking for a collaborative partner who thrives in an environment that fosters relationships within TNC across the MN, ND, SD Chapter and external partners. That includes being comfortable networking with varied groups such as private landowners, ranchers, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the public to inspire support for the Conservancy’s priorities.

If this sounds like you, this is an exceptional career opportunity for a highly motivated, capable individual interested in joining the world’s leading conservation organization.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing or leading staff, volunteers, interns, or other teams.
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
• Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timelines.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
• Experience operating and maintaining various types of equipment and facilities (e.g., tractor, skid steer, chainsaw, small engines, pumps, trucks, ATVs, lawn mower).
• Experience maintaining infrastructure such as corrals, fences, and buildings.
• Must be qualified as or able to meet qualifications of a Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2) and work toward qualifications as needed to implement fire strategies as developed. See https://www.tncfiremanual.org/FIrefighter.html.

Desired Qualifications:

• Cross cultural experience appreciated.
• 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/restoration principles, including range management, wildlife management, invasive species ecology, livestock husbandry, and fire management.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.
• Experience negotiating agreements.
• Ability to pass annual fitness test (carrying a 45-pound pack over 3 miles of level terrain in 45 minutes or less).
• Experience with Fire/Fuels Reduction and managing woody encroachment.
• Knowledge of flora and fauna of the Northern Great Plains and Black Hills.
• Experience with GPS and GIS and data management.
• Ability to obtain required licenses or certifications, such as first aid, CPR, herbicide application, and driver’s license.
• Ability to think creatively about how to leverage resources.

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $54,000 – $58,000. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. The actual pay placed within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including the candidate’s location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market.

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 include respect for all people, communities, and cultures.

We are committed to cultivating 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. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience.

What We Bring:

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, and other life and work well-being benefits. TNC also provides a flexible work environment that supports the health and well-being of our employees.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization 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.

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 [e-mail] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.