SE MN Preserve Management Assistant

The Nature Conservancy•Kellogg, MN

3d•$20 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The SE MN Preserve Management Assistant works throughout the Driftless region of southeast Minnesota as part of a 3–5-person crew carrying out stewardship activities on public and private lands, in coordination with nonprofit organizations and state and federal government employees. The role coordinates, leads, and manages other TNC employees, volunteers, and partners; it may involve minimal or distant supervision and some independent decision-making based on analysis, experience, and context. Duties include preparing for prescribed burns, implementing burns and monitoring them afterward, removing and chemically treating invasive species, maintaining tools and equipment, and conducting monitoring and data collection. Other work may include plant and animal surveys, native seed harvest, tree and shrub planting, and preserve maintenance such as boundary posting. The position requires considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain. The position is based at Weaver Dunes Preserve near Kellogg, Minnesota. Shared housing is available but optional; if elected, its value is included as taxable income, with details set out in an employment housing agreement. This is a benefits-eligible, regular fixed-term position with an anticipated end date of December 2027.

Requirements

Associate/technical or vocational degree in a science-related field and one year of related experience in custodial and ecological land management or a similar field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience with natural systems.
Experience with ecological land management principles.
Experience operating and/or repairing equipment and machinery, including UTVs, chainsaws, trailers, and skid steers.
Qualified Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2).
Ability to achieve physical fitness standards determined by the local Prescribed Fire Manager and TNC Fire Management Manual.
Qualified Faller 3 (FAL3) or completion of S-212.
Experience assisting with prescribed burn operations and installing burn breaks.
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.
Ability to perform work requiring considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.

Nice To Haves

Two to three years of related experience in ecological land management or a similar field.
Qualified Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1).
Qualified Faller 2 (FAL2).
Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience.
Ability to recognize plant and animal species for preserve management activities.
Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and natural resource preservation or conservation.
Ability to complete tasks independently within timelines.
Working knowledge of common software applications such as Fieldmaps, Avenza, OnX, and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

Carry out stewardship activities on public and private lands throughout southeast Minnesota as part of a 3–5-person crew.
Coordinate, lead, and manage TNC employees, volunteers, and partners.
Prepare for prescribed burns, implement fire operations, and conduct post-fire monitoring.
Remove and chemically treat invasive species.
Maintain tools and equipment.
Conduct monitoring and collect data.
Perform plant and animal surveys, native seed harvest, and tree and shrub planting as needed.
Complete preserve maintenance duties such as boundary posting.