Clear Lake, SD, United States

#Li-Onsite

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

Clear Lake has a population of ~1,300.

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world's toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One of TNC's primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we'll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply - we'd love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, "you'll join for the mission, and you'll stay for the people."

The Prairie Coteau program is based in Clear Lake, SD but manages 12 TNC sites across Eastern South Dakota and Southwest Minnesota. The sites consist of rare calcareous fens, wetlands, restoration, 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 Crew Leader to help manage this landscape. The Crew Leader will be a part of a larger team and will work directly with the Program Manager.

As our Crew Leader, you will organize and implement land management projects on TNC sites which may include: prescribed fire implementation and planning, GIS mapping, maintaining equipment, maintaining and building grazing infrastructure, noxious weed control, and other tasks. You will also work with teams to ensure the coordination, community support, and implementation of preserve management actions.

You will be expected to travel independently or with a crew to perform various land management duties on TNC preserves throughout the Prairie Coteau in northeast South Dakota and southwest Minnesota.

Examples of these duties include:

• Leading or monitoring work groups consisting of staff, interns, and volunteers covering a wide geographic area.
• Managing finances - working within a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development, and fundraising targets.
• Networking with diverse groups, including landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the general public to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy programs/preserves.

The position will require physical labor, irregular work hours at times, some overnight travel, and occasional work at other Chapter programs across SD, ND, and MN.

This is a two-year position, and the end date for this position is two years from the start date. There may be opportunity for extension and based on performance, budget, and program needs.

Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Do you thrive and enjoy working in the great outdoors? We're looking for someone who has excellent organization and communication skills. We're looking for a problem solver, an independent decision maker, a both parts leader and team player. If this sounds like you, we invite you to come join TNC and apply today!

• BA/BS and 1 year related experience in custodial and ecological land management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience (ie AS/Technical or vocational degree in science-related field and 3 years of related experience.)
• Experience with natural systems (specifically grazing systems and grassland restoration work)
• Experience in ecological land management principles.
• Experience operating and/or maintaining various types on equipment and machinery.
• Knowledge/understanding of current trends and practices in conservation and natural resource preservation/conservation or similar field.
• Must have a valid drivers license.

In addition, the following skills and/or experiences would be an asset for this role but are not required. For applicants without these, please view these as areas or skillsets where you will have opportunities for growth and professional development.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 1 - 2 years related experience in custodial and ecological land management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Some experience managing volunteers or entry level staff.
• Ability to recognize plant and animal species to complete preserve management activities.
• Ability to complete tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, ArcGIS, and data gathering with tablets).
• Ability to drive and operate ton trucks and large trailers.
• Ability to obtain licenses or certifications as required including: First Aid, CPR, herbicide/pesticide license, and DOT Medical Examine Certificate within a month of starting.
• Ability to become qualified, as a Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2), including Introduction to ICS (I-100), Human Factors on the Fire line (L-180), Introduction to Wild Land Fire Behavior (S-190), Firefighting Training (S-130), and one training burn serving under the supervision of a qualified FFT2. See http://www.tncfiremanual.org/firefighter.htm
• Must achieve physical fitness standard as determined by local Fire Program Manager and the TNC Fire Manual.

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into 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 and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We're proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

In alignment with the broader 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.

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.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $22.80 - $25.00 hour. 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.

To apply for job ID 56174, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

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 as soon as possible.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC's value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we're registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we're unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.