Land Conservancy Director

Tamien Nation • San Jose, CA

398d • $118,000 - $132,000 • Remote

About The Position

The Director of the Tamien Nation Land Conservancy will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight to establish, manage, and grow the Tamien Nation's land conservancy initiatives. This role is critical in advancing the Tribe's goals of Ancestral Land Return, ecosystem restoration, and cultural sustainability, integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern conservation practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, conservation, land management, Indigenous studies, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in land conservation, natural resource management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and its application in land management.
• Strong experience in grant writing, fundraising, and budget management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team-building skills.
• Familiarity with tribal governance, federal and state laws related to land conservation, and cultural resource protection.
• Passion for advancing Indigenous rights, cultural sustainability, and environmental stewardship.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with or within Native American Tribes or Indigenous organizations.
• Knowledge of California Native American cultural landscapes and ecosystems.
• Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for land and resource management.
• Strong project management skills with a track record of delivering successful conservation projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the vision, goals, and strategies for the Tamien Nation Land Conservancy in alignment with the Tribe's mission and cultural values.
• Lead efforts to prioritize and pursue opportunities for land reacquisition and restoration.
• Establish policies and frameworks for culturally appropriate land stewardship and ecological sustainability.
• Oversee the identification, negotiation, and acquisition of lands significant to the Tamien Nation.
• Ensure proper stewardship of acquired lands through restoration activities such as riparian and native grassland restoration, mid-slope wetland restoration, and cultural fire management.
• Manage projects focused on creating and sustaining a tribal land conservancy.
• Secure funding through grants, donations, and partnerships to support the conservancy's initiatives.
• Manage budgets, monitor financial resources, and ensure accountability and compliance with grant requirements.
• Collaborate with tribal members, local communities, governmental agencies, conservation organizations, and other stakeholders to promote the conservancy's objectives.
• Build and maintain partnerships that support land conservation, traditional ecological knowledge, and environmental education.
• Educate the public about tribal land management and history.
• Ensure all conservancy activities comply with federal, state, and local laws, as well as tribal governance policies.
• Oversee environmental impact assessments, permitting processes, and adherence to cultural resource protection regulations.
• Incorporate traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into all land management and conservation practices.
• Foster opportunities for mentorship and education around cultural fire stewardship and other traditional practices.
• Recruit, train, and supervise staff and volunteers involved in conservancy projects.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring that programs are executed effectively and align with strategic goals.
• Develop performance metrics to evaluate the success of conservancy initiatives.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree