The Field Steward develops, manages and implements a comprehensive program to protect natural communities and species, and to complete land management activities on conservation lands in central and southeastern Minnesota. The Field Steward supervises land management crews, contract crews, volunteers, and interns all working on Conservancy and partner agency lands. This position is based out of the Lake Alexander Preserve office located near Cushing, MN. The Field Steward will work across central and southeastern MN, with frequent travel and regular overnight stays. This is a full-time, salaried position.
The Field Steward (FS) provides technical leadership and support to a business unit plans and directs preserve management programs and stewardship within the PFBE ecoregion. The FS addresses critical threats to natural systems and individual species, fosters cross-site learning among conservation community, and supplies conservation planning teams with site or landscape level information relevant to the planning process. The FS assists with conservation strategies, land protection, and implements strategies to secure public and private support for TNC conservation priorities. The FS coordinates community support, ensures the maintenance of preserve areas frequented by the visiting public and coordinates multiple projects, sets deadlines and manages completion. The FS manages TNC staff, interns, volunteers, and contracts to accomplish land management goals throughout the work geography.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
- Supervises technical and professional stewardship staff with responsibility for performance management, training and development.
- Financial responsibility includes working within a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget and project development.
- Networks with diverse groups, including land owners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the general public to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy programs/preserves.
- Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Develops and oversees volunteer networks; leads science monitoring teams
- Develops prescribed burn plans and site management plans.
- Directs prescribed fire crews, maintains and organizes fire equipment,
- Oversees operation, maintenance and management of conservation equipment fleet consisting of tractors, trucks, trailers, ATVs, chainsaws, mowers, pumps, housed in multiple locations within the work area.
- Requires considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
- Frequently will require long and irregular hours in independent or group settings
- Experience managing staff or volunteers.
- Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., media, government officials, internal scientists.
- Experience in prescribed burning and/or wildfire suppression, qualified as a FFT2.
- 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.
- Experience in training.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross cultural experience appreciated
- 3-5 years’ experience in natural resource management, similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 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 in grasslands, wetlands, and savannas of the upper Midwest, and Great Lakes forests.
- Ability to complete tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
- Working knowledge of ArcGIS.
- NWCG fire qualified as Engine Boss (ENGB) or higher strongly preferred, including coursework and experience requirements. See the Conservancy’s Fire Management Manual for a full explanation of qualification requirements: http://www.tncfiremanual.org/personnel.htm
- Willingness to work towards RxB2 Burn Boss qualifications
- Safe record of using and maintaining preserve tools and equipment, including chainsaws, mowers, skid loaders, tractors, trucks, trailers, ATVs and power tools.
- Class A commercial driver’s license or willingness to pursue a class A CDL.
- Current certification in first aid and CPR.
- Have or be able to obtain a Minnesota Pesticide Applicators license.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.