Field Steward

The Nature Conservancy • Cushing, MN

11d • $52,000 - $57,000

About The Position

What We Can Achieve Together: As our Field Steward, you will develop, manage, and implement a comprehensive program to protect and enhance natural communities of species through stewardship and restoration activities on conservation lands in the Prairie Forest Border Ecoregion of central and southeastern Minnesota. This includes addressing critical threats to natural systems and individual species, fostering cross-site learning among the conservation community, and supplying conservation planning teams with site or landscape level information relevant to the planning process. You will also assist with habitat protection and implement a variety of strategies to secure public and private support for TNC conservation priorities. This includes coordinating community support, ensuring the maintenance of preserve areas frequented by the visiting public, and ensuring the maintenance of tools and equipment for conducting stewardship work. You will supervise land management crews, contract crews, volunteers, and interns in conducting work on lands managed by The Nature Conservancy and partnering agencies. This includes supervising the daily logistics, safety, and productivity of TNC staff, interns, volunteers, and contractors. We’re Looking for You: If you’re looking for a nature-filled career where you can find meaning and purpose, come join our Chapter as a Field Steward. This position is based at the Lake Alexander Preserve office located near Cushing, MN. We’re looking for a passionate, dedicated person to coordinates multiple projects, set deadlines, and manage completion for work to achieve land management goals throughout the Prairie Forest Border Ecoregion. This position requires frequent travel and regular overnight stays.

Requirements

• 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 in working closely with a variety of partners, i.e., media, government officials, and internal scientists.
• Experience completing tasks independently concerning 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.
• Must achieve physical fitness standard as determined by local Prescribed Fire Manager and the TNC Fire Management Manual.
• Must have valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.
• Working knowledge of ESRI ArcGIS software and principles.
• NWCG qualifications of Engine Boss (ENGB) or higher strongly preferred, including coursework and experience requirements. See the Conservancy’s Fire Management Manual for a full explanation of qualification requirements: http://www.tncfiremanual.org/personnel.htm
• Willingness to work towards NWCG Burn Boss (RxB2) qualifications
• Safe record of using and maintaining tools and equipment for land management, including chainsaws, mowers, skid loaders, tractors, trucks, trailers, ATVs, and power tools.
• Class A commercial driver’s license, or willingness to pursue one.
• Current certification in first aid and CPR or willingness to complete.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and implement a comprehensive program to protect and enhance natural communities of species through stewardship and restoration activities on conservation lands
• Address critical threats to natural systems and individual species
• Foster cross-site learning among the conservation community
• Supply conservation planning teams with site or landscape level information relevant to the planning process
• Assist with habitat protection
• Implement a variety of strategies to secure public and private support for TNC conservation priorities
• Coordinate community support
• Ensure the maintenance of preserve areas frequented by the visiting public
• Ensure the maintenance of tools and equipment for conducting stewardship work
• Supervise land management crews, contract crews, volunteers, and interns in conducting work on lands managed by The Nature Conservancy and partnering agencies
• Supervise the daily logistics, safety, and productivity of TNC staff, interns, volunteers, and contractors

Benefits

• 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, other life and work well-being benefits.
• We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level