Muleshoe Preserve Steward

The Nature Conservancy•Willcox, AZ

53d•$21 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The Muleshoe Ranch Preserve Steward is responsible for day-to-day maintenance and land management operations at a remote preserve in southeastern Arizona. The position maintains Preserve headquarters, including historic buildings, infrastructure, and equipment; implements management plans and ecological restoration projects with a priority on protecting the Preserve's aquatic and riparian systems; periodically supervises seasonal staff, volunteers, and contracted crews when present on the Preserve; and occasionally hosts visitors, donors, researchers, and partners. The Steward is also responsible for maintaining clean and functional housing and facilities for Preserve visitors and staff, including hands-on custodial work. This is a fixed-term position expected to be funded October 2026 - June 2027 and could change based on business needs. Housing at the Preserve is provided and is a requirement of this position.

Requirements

High school diploma/GED and 1 year’s training in a science-related field or related experience in land management, facilities maintenance or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience operating and/or repairing various types of equipment and machinery (e.g. lawn mower, chainsaw, UTV, ATV or OHV, two-way radio, backhoe, tractor or similar equipment).
Experience working with electrical, plumbing, welding or concrete.
Experience with natural systems.
Experience in sustainable ecological land management principles.
Experience working with computers and common software applications (e.g. Word, Excel, web browsers).
Valid driver’s license.
Youth Certification obtained from TNC within 30 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

Current First Aid and CPR certification, or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire. Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), or EMT certification preferred.
Demonstrated ability to live and work effectively at a remote duty station in shared quarters, including extended periods of self-directed work, and strong interpersonal skills with visitors, donors, researchers, agency partners, and crews.
Four or more years of applied building maintenance, construction, or mechanical trades experience, including troubleshooting and repair of residential electrical and plumbing systems, carpentry, welding, or concrete work.
Experience with erosion control, drainage, and site stabilization work, including hand-built rock structures.
Experience with riparian, spring, or ciénega systems, or upland restoration to improve habitat and ecological function.
Experience working under wilderness minimum-tool requirements or comparable low-impact work standards.
Experience maintaining historic structures or historic preservation treatment standards.
Experience leading crews, volunteers, or contracted work groups.
General experience in agriculture or land management gained on a farm, ranch, or remote field station, including work with livestock.
Wildland fire qualifications (FFT2 or higher) and S-212 chainsaw certification, or experience supporting prescribed fire operations.
Experience implementing invasive species prevention or biosecurity protocols.
Ability to recognize plant and animal species to complete preserve management activities.
Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.

Responsibilities

Maintain historic buildings, staff/guest housing, shop facilities, utilities, roads, trails, fencing, vehicles, and equipment.
Perform preventative, routine and corrective maintenance; determine when to complete work in-house vs. use contractors.
Implement Preserve management plans focused on aquatic systems.
Build and maintain erosion/grade control structures, conduct invasive species control, perform native seed/plant collection and planting, and collect monitoring data.
Plan, schedule and supervise activities of seasonal staff, interns and volunteers, contracted crews, and work groups.
Scope, plan, and carry out improvement projects independently and collaboratively; oversee contractors, inspect completed work, and coordinate multi-day remote crew operations.
Host donors, trustees, staff, researchers, partners and the public.
Lead field trips/interpretive walks, support events and workshops, monitor visitor use, and communicate Preserve rules and stewardship practices.
Develop and maintain Preserve records, including maintenance schedules and service records.
Maintain monitoring databases for data such as streamflow, precipitation and rare species observations.