Sandhills Stewardship Manager

The Nature Conservancy•Southern Pines, NC

1d•$66,000 - $73,000

About The Position

The Sandhills Stewardship Manager leads conservation planning and stewardship programs for The Nature Conservancy’s network of nature preserves in the Sandhills of North Carolina and surrounding areas. The role focuses on restoring and managing longleaf pine ecosystems, leading the regional prescribed-fire program, and building effective relationships with staff, partners, landowners, and local communities. The manager develops and implements ecological restoration and land-management plans, oversees conservation easement monitoring, and coordinates collaborative fire management and wildfire response efforts. The manager oversees fire operations on TNC preserves, including burn plans, wildfire response plans, equipment and vehicle readiness, compliance with TNC fire procedures, and continued development of professional fire qualifications. Stewardship work also includes ecological monitoring, adaptive management, managed public access, hunting leases, timber sales, planting, invasive-species control, and other preserve activities. The role manages budgets and vendors, supports fundraising and grant development, and maintains restoration and geospatial databases. The position supervises four full-time staff, seasonal fire crews, contractors, volunteers, and interns. The manager provides performance guidance and career development, and handles administrative responsibilities for the Sandhills office, fleet, equipment, supplies, records, and budgets. They work closely with the Southern Coastal Plain Program Director and NC Fire Manager, represent TNC in conservation and fire partnerships, provide technical assistance and public outreach, and may participate in wildland fire suppression with partner agencies. Work may involve variable weather, remote locations, hazardous terrain, physically demanding conditions, and long hours, especially during burn season. This is a full-time, exempt position with benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, law degree, or business degree and five years of experience in natural resource management or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Three years of supervisory experience.
Meet at least one fire qualification: NWCG RXB2; NWCG ENGB working toward ICT4 with an open incident commander type 4 task book; or experienced state-agency burn boss with demonstrated skill working in longleaf pine ecosystems.
Experience working effectively and positively with a diverse array of people.
Ability to work independently with strong problem-solving and organizational skills; coordinate multiple projects, set realistic priorities and deadlines, and work productively without close supervision.
Experience developing, negotiating, and implementing contracts, agreements, and plans.
Experience using common software applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, ArcGIS products (mobile and desktop), and web browsers.
Willingness to work long hours, especially during burn season, and to perform physically demanding and sometimes dangerous work, including under adverse conditions.
Valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program; employment is contingent on completing a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a motor vehicle record review.

Nice To Haves

NWCG RxB2 qualification is highly preferred. For applicants who are not RxB2 certified, preference is given to those closer to achieving certification, such as ENGB or RxB3 working toward ICT4, and those with greater experience burning in longleaf pine ecosystems.
Understanding of forest restoration ecology and techniques.
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; effective leadership; ability to work in a team; understanding of conflict resolution; and a positive attitude.
Ability to interpret guidelines, evaluate information, and adapt processes and plans to changing circumstances.
Ability to apply scientific principles and practices to varied assignments and develop creative ideas to improve conservation strategies.
Familiarity with Sandhills plants, animals, and ecosystems.
Experience communicating with the media, both in writing and verbally.
Ability to explain conservation science and practices to technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

Lead restoration and management of TNC preserves in the Sandhills and surrounding areas to support biological diversity, ecosystem function, and resiliency.
Develop and implement preserve restoration and management plans, including prioritized actions, consideration of federally protected and rare species, ecological monitoring, adaptive management, and managed public access.
Oversee all aspects of fire management on TNC preserves in the Sandhills in coordination with the NC Fire Manager and Southern Coastal Plain Program Director.
Prepare and update burn plans, maintain wildfire response plans, and ensure fire equipment and vehicles are ready for use.
Keep current with stewardship and prescribed-fire techniques and equipment, and maintain and advance professional fire qualifications.
Assist with maintaining Sandhills restoration, management, and geospatial databases.
Manage budgets, expense coding and approvals, vendor negotiations and contracts, and assist with budget development and fundraising targets.
Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
Oversee hunting leases, timber sales, tree and grass planting, invasive-species control, and other stewardship activities as needed.
Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with federal, state, and local conservation partners, municipalities, commercial timber producers, and private landowners.
Build relationships in the professional fire community and local communities, and participate in wildland fire suppression with partner agencies as applicable.
Represent TNC on local, state, and national working groups and conservation partnerships.
Provide technical expertise in fire management and stewardship to TNC colleagues and partners in the Sandhills region.
Provide preserve tours and outreach to landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members, and the public.
Interact with media and participate in public events, conferences, and symposia.
Assist with grant proposal development and work with academic institutions to develop partnerships and capacity.
Supervise four full-time staff, including performance management, career development, guidance, and mentorship.
Manage seasonal fire crews, including hiring, onboarding, housing arrangements, day-to-day oversight, work planning, and training opportunities.
Maintain restoration and GIS databases, credit-card accounting, budgets, timecard approvals, vehicle and equipment maintenance records, supplies, and prescribed-fire burn-boss documentation.
Oversee management of the Sandhills office space, equipment, fleet, and shop.