The SW MT Sagebrush Conservation Coordinator works effectively with private and public partners to manage and advance cross-boundary habitat restoration and enhancement projects within sagebrush steppe and associated systems within the High Divide Headwaters geographic area. This is a 3-year term grant funded position.
The position serves the Southwest Montana Sagebrush Partnership (SMSP), with core members: BLM, NRCS, USFWS, TNC, FWP, and BWC - to stimulate, coordinate, and complete priority habitat restoration and enhancement projects within sagebrush steppe and associated systems. The partnership position facilitates communication and coordination between regional partners and external organizations/ audiences and helps sustain SMSP enhanced capacity. The position builds strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field and deepens key partnerships to identify and resolve technical issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices. The Conservation Coordinator position is part of the Conservancy’s High Divide Headwaters Program in Montana and works with SMSP and other Conservancy staff in the High Divide and in Helena. This position is based in Dillon, MT and is supervised by the High Divide Program Director and does not supervise any staff.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Stimulate, coordinate, and assist in the completion of cross-boundary projects in sagebrush steppe systems, including: conifer removal, invasive weed control, riparian and wet meadow restoration, fence and other grazing structure modification/ removals.
- Manage restoration projects that fall outside the scope of existing partner capacity, which may entail work on project design, permitting, and monitoring.
- Coordinate and ensure regular communication between partners working in SW Montana sagebrush.
- Assist partnership in compiling and communicating project results to local, regional and national audiences.
- Maintain knowledge and actively pursue promising funding sources to maintain and enhance delivery of priority conservation measures in southwest Montana sagebrush steppe.
- Keep abreast of applicable science and ensure the partnership utilizes, as appropriate.
- Engage within Conservancy on the Shared Conservation Agenda and Conservation by Design 2.0 planning.
- Coordinate monitoring methodologies and schedule. Share monitoring data with all partners and interested parties.
- Fiscal responsibility may include working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development, and meeting fundraising targets.
- Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
- Under minimal supervision, makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 5 years’ experience in natural resource management or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience managing habitat restoration or enhancement projects, including budgets, contracts, and monitoring.
- Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
- Experience developing partnerships (partners, community, government).
- Experience negotiating complex agreements.
- Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and related sciences.
- Completing tasks independently with respect to timelines.
- Relationship building skills to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., landowners, government officials, NGO partners, and internal staff.
- Ability to work independently with ranch owners in a rural setting and willingness to work outside of normal business hours.
- Knowledge of ecological land management principles of sagebrush grassland, with knowledge of greater sage-grouse and sagebrush-obligate bird ecology highly preferred.
- Ability to collect and report scientific data through detailed notes and use of GPS and store and organize data using common software.
- Knowledge of GIS highly preferred.
- Ability to operate vehicles (e.g.; ATV, 4 x 4 truck, or SUV) in rough terrain in a safe and efficient manner
- Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Politically savvy and experienced in partnership development (partners, community, government).
- Supervisory experience.
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.