Southern Black Hills Land Steward

Office Location:

Hot Springs, South Dakota, United States 

Join us at the sprawling Whitney Preserve, this preserve is a convergence of sage lands, pine forest and grasslands making this area important for conservation.

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 Land Steward provides day-to-day project management, leadership, and implementation of conservation projects within and around the southern Black Hills conservation area and develops projects in coordination with internal and external partners. The Land Steward addresses critical threats to natural systems and individual species, fosters cross-site learning among the conservation community and local landowners, and supplies conservation planning teams with site or landscape level information relevant to the planning process.  The Land Steward develops and/or implements conservation projects around climate adaptation, Indigenous Right Relations, fuels reduction, grazing management, and other relevant conservation programs while employing a full range of tools and tactics to secure public and private support for TNC’s priorities. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

Examples of responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
• Supervises technical, administrative, and professional staff with responsibility for work planning, performance management, training, and development.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Develops, implements, and delivers local programs/projects that align with TNC’s mission and goals.
• Negotiates/writes agreements and leases and handles compliance issues in cooperation with other staff.
• Develops and manages a budget, negotiating, and contracting with vendors, and supporting fundraising and donor stewardship efforts.
• Performs ecological management tasks such as biological monitoring, invasive species control, grazing and fire management.
• Travel to other sites to provide stewardship of other properties, assist other programs, and for trainings or meetings as needed.

We’re Looking for You:

Want to help save the planet? Through the efforts of The Nature Conservancy, over 188,000 acres in South Dakota have been preserved for people and nature.  From the grasslands to the wetlands, to forests and prairies, the Tri-State Chapter is dedicated to conserving the natural resources that make our regions unique.

As the Southern Black Hills Land Steward, you will ensure support and collaborate closely with colleagues across the MN, ND, SD Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. You will oversee and lead a team of staff dedicated to the management of the Whitney Preserve, near Hot Springs, SD, and other TNC land interests. You thrive in an environment based on fostering and building relationships. As our Land Steward, you will network with diverse groups such as: private landowners, ranchers, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the public to inspire support for the Conservancy’s priorities.

If this sounds like you, this is an exceptional career opportunity for a highly motivated, capable individual interested in joining the world’s leading conservation organization!

What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS, degree and 5 years’ experience in natural resource management or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience negotiating agreements.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
• Experience operating and maintaining various types of equipment and facilities.
• Experience completing tasks independently with respect to deadlines.

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 where you will have opportunities for growth and professional development. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and to guide activities.
• Experience with Fire/Fuels Reduction.
• Knowledge of ecological land management/restoration principles, including range management, wildlife management, invasive species ecology, livestock husbandry, and fire management.
• Ability to operate and maintain various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (tractor, skid steer, chainsaw, small engines, pumps, trucks, ATVs, lawn mower, etc.)
• Ability to maintain facilities including, corrals, fence, office, housing, and workshop.
• Must be qualified as or able to meet qualifications of a Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2) and work toward qualifications as needed to implement fire strategies as developed. See https://www.tncfiremanual.org/FIrefighter.htm
• Ability to pass annual fitness test (carrying a 45-pound pack over 3 miles of level terrain in 45 minutes or less.)
• Knowledge of flora and fauna of the Northern Great Plains and Black Hills.
• Experience with GPS and GIS and data management.
• Ability to obtain required licenses or certifications, such as first aid, CPR, herbicide application, and driver’s license. Must maintain a good driving record.
• Ability to think creatively about how to leverage resources.
• 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 Job Information:

The Land Steward develops, manages, and advances conservation programs and plans for the southern Black Hills Conservation Area. In order to effectively conduct the essential functions of the position, it is strongly suggested the Land Steward live within a reasonable distance from the Whitney Preserve, near Hot Springs, SD, as agreed upon with the supervisor so that the Land Steward is able to respond to urgent and routine issues and events on the preserve including but not limited to livestock management, security, equipment failures, and visitors.

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. 

Our recruiting process is a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply ASAP.  

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 $56,000-$64,000 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.