Field Steward

Office Location:

Clear Lake, SD

The Field Steward will report to the Prairie Coteau office/shop located in Clear Lake, SD.

Nearby towns with ~20K residents:  Watertown and Brookings, SD

Clear Lake has a population of ~1,300.

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube  or on Glassdoor.  

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Prairie Coteau Program is based in Clear Lake, SD, and manages twelve (12) TNC sites across Eastern South Dakota and Southwest Minnesota.  The sites consist of rare calcareous fens, pothole wetlands, restorations, and native grasslands.  In SD, there is ~20% of the original Prairie Coteau still in a grass and that equates to ~1M acres.  The landscape is a matrix of crop ground and native grasslands. We are seeking a Prairie Coteau Field Steward to thrive in this landscape. The Field Steward will be a part of a larger TNC Chapter team and will work directly with the Prairie Coteau Program Manager. 

As the Field Steward, your primary responsibility will be to identify goals and objectives in collaboration with the program manager and others and effectively utilize resources (including seasonal employees) to achieve identified goals and complete project work plans. You will also help develop and implement various conservation management techniques such as grazing, prescribed fire (leading the fire line,) and invasive species management practices. You will be responsible for leading seasonal employees, equipment maintenance, facilities management, and administrative tasks associated with projects.

Other responsibilities include:

• Assist with planning and implementing ecological management plans and projects on TNC lands in SD and MN.
• Lead work teams to address critical threats to natural systems and individual species.
• Foster cross-site learning among the conservation community.
• Supply conservation planning with site level information relevant to the planning process.

We’re Looking for You:

If you’re looking for a career where you can find meaning and purpose, come join our Chapter as the Prairie Coteau Field Steward.  Not only will you fulfil conservation objectives in the beautiful landscape of Eastern SD and Southwest MN.

You will work under minimal and/or distant supervision; and may make some independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context. You can expect to work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. This position will require irregular work hours and long days, some overnight travel and occasional work at other Chapter programs across ND, SD, and MN.

What You’ll Bring:

• Associates degree with 5 year’s of experience or a Bachelor’s degree with 3 years’ experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in operating/maintaining various farm equipment and maintaining facilities.
• Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., landowners, media, government employees, scientists.
• Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
• Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
• Leadership experience – managing and training staff and/or volunteers.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. Please indicate this in your resume or cover letter.

In addition, the following DESIRED skills and/or experiences would be an asset for this role but are not required to apply. For applicants without these, please view these as areas or skillsets as growth and professional development that you will achieve on the job.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must acquire a DOT medical certificate within 3 months of starting date.
• Must achieve physical fitness standards as determined by the local Fire Program Manager and the TNC Fire Manual before March 2025.
• Must be qualified, or able to become qualified, as a Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2) by March 2025.
• Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
• Familiarity with principles of land acquisition or similar asset acquisition.
• Knowledge of ecological land management principles.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.
• Ability to obtain related licenses or certifications as required including: First Aid, CPR, herbicide or pesticide application.
• Experience controlling invasive species in prairie ecosystems via herbicide application from UTVs, ATVs, and backpack sprayers.
• Experience working with or around livestock (cattle) and working with grazing practices and fencing systems.
• Experience with plant identification in the Great Plains.
• Experience with natural systems and ecological land management principles.
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.

What We Bring:

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!

Additional Information:

TNC also fosters an environment supportive of empowering our employees, amplifying an equitable workforce, and creating opportunities to participate in our nine Employee Resource Groups. 

In alignment with the global organization, the Tri-State chapter is making an intentional effort to creating a community of inclusivity and belonging through collaboration and feedback. We’re committed to building a culture based on trust, transparency, empathy, and accountability. We value individuality and difference of backgrounds and ideas, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. 

Auto Safety Policy:

This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.

Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered “high risk drivers.” To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee’s motor vehicle record.

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $49,000 – $54,000 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate’s location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.