High Divide Conservation Crew Lead

The Nature Conservancy • Dillon, MT

1d • $19 - $22

About The Position

The High Divide Conservation Crew Lead will lead four crew members on a variety of land stewardship projects throughout remote portions of the High Divide region of southwest Montana and Idaho. As crew lead, you will help train and supervise crew members as they develop conservation work skills, outdoor living skills and improve their understanding of the natural world. Conservation projects include stream restoration, invasive species mapping and management, conifer encroachment removal, and fence removal or modification to allow wildlife movement through important migration corridors. Other duties include helping develop field schedules, coordinating travel to remote locations, ensuring data quality, maintaining tools and equipment, and completing high quality implementation work while in the field. This position offers a unique opportunity to be involved in a collaborative, applied conservation program and to gain experience in a wide variety of rangeland and water issues. The High Divide Conservation Crew Lead should expect to work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances. The crew will be based out of Dillon, Montana and will generally work four, ten-hour days, almost exclusively outdoors. Many of the stewardship projects are accessible by day trips from Dillon, but camping will be required at the more remote field sites. This is a great opportunity to prepare for a career in the natural sciences and/or in natural resource management with public agencies and non-profit conservation organizations.

The High Divide Conservation Crew Lead will work with local Nature Conservancy and agency partners to ensure the coordination and completion of land stewardship projects across the High Divide region of Montana and Idaho. This position will be the point of contact for a crew of four seasonal staff tasked with restoration project implementation and associated logistical work. Duties include helping develop field schedules, coordinating travel to remote locations, ensuring data quality, maintaining tools and equipment, and completing high quality implementation work while in the field. This is a full-time, seasonal position based in Dillon, MT, USA with an anticipated start date of May 2026 and ending in October 2026.

Requirements

• AS/Technical or vocational degree in a science-related field and 1-year related experience in ecological land management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working long hours in harsh environments and challenging weather conditions
• Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g. First Aid, CPR, herbicide or pesticide application)
• Experience operating various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g. post pounder, chainsaw, UTV, ATV or OHV, two-way radio, or similar equipment).
• Experience with GPS and GIS applications

Nice To Haves

• 1+ years of experience working on land stewardship projects, including stream and wet meadow restoration (willow planting, building beaver dam analogs, post assisted log structures, and Zeedyk rock structures), fence removal or modification to allow wildlife movement through important migration corridors, invasive plant mapping and treatment using herbicide, and/or conifer encroachment removal
• Experience driving and maintaining 4WD trucks and other vehicles, especially in off-road situations
• 2 years of experience working in a physically demanding, outdoor setting
• 2 years of experience working in a science-related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience managing volunteers or entry level staff
• Ability to recognize plant and animal species found in sagebrush ecosystems
• Knowledge/understanding of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation/conservation or similar field.
• Ability to complete tasks independently and exercise independent judgement
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken and graphical means

Responsibilities

• Lead and help train and supervise a crew of four during land stewardship projects, which will include stream and wet meadow restoration (willow planting, building beaver dam analogs, post assisted log structures, and Zeedyk rock structures), invasive plant mapping and treatment using herbicide, conifer encroachment removal, and fence removal or modification to allow wildlife movement through important migration corridors.
• Once training is complete, work under minimal supervision and make independent decisions based on experience and context
• Organize and implement data collection efforts using ArcGIS platforms
• Create and implement a tool maintenance plan
• Work alongside and help direct other conservation corps crews, staff, agency partners and volunteers during land stewardship projects
• Work long hours in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Network with diverse groups, including landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the general public to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy programs.

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree