The High Divide Headwaters Land Steward and Science Manager manages TNC-owned lands in southwest Montana, leads our stewardship and science efforts in the Centennial Valley, and provides technical and scientific support for conservation initiatives throughout the High Divide Headwaters (HDH) by providing science support for land protection efforts, developing and maintaining strategic and productive relationships with research partners who assist TNC with pressing research needs, and by leading periodic conservation planning efforts.
The High Divide Headwaters Land Steward and Science Manager manages TNC’s lands within the Centennial Valley in southwest Montana and provides science leadership and support to the HDH Program. The position requires seasonal (~May-Oct.) occupancy at TNC’s Centennial Sandhills Preserve where he/she will manage, maintain, and oversee facilities, operations, seasonal staff, and nearby conservation projects with partners. The position represents TNC in the Centennial Valley to a diverse spectrum of players, including local ranchers, members of the public, public land managers, researchers, and students and upholds and furthers TNC’s long-standing record of excellence in community and science-based, collaborative conservation work. Throughout the year this position provides science support for HDH Program conservation projects, including land protection, restoration, research partnerships, and preserve management. The Land Steward and Science Manager assists the HDH Director on land protection projects throughout the HDH by completing science-based due diligence, including site visits, Easement Documentation Reports, Environmental Hazards Assessments, Mineral Reports, and Management Plans. The Land Steward and Science Manager addresses critical threats to natural systems and individual species, fosters cross-site learning among conservation community, and collects landscape level information useful to the planning process. The Land Steward and Science Manager works with the HDH Director to develop and implement conservation strategies and facilitate partnerships with external science community that will enhance collective knowledge and improve our effectiveness as adaptive managers. The Land Steward and Science Manager coordinates strategic support for scientists and land managers, ensures proper maintenance of TNC’s responsibilities in stewardship projects, and coordinates multiple projects, sets deadlines and manages completion.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
- Supervises technical, administrative and professional staff with responsibility for performance management, training and development.
- 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.
- 3 years’ experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience collecting, manipulating, analyzing and interpreting scientific data.
- Experience preparing reports of findings.
- Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., media, landowners, government officials, external scientists.
- Employee is required to live at the Sandhills Preserve during field season May-October. Residence on the property is optional November-April and the rental value would be considered taxable income to the employee.
- Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timelines.
- 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, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Experience using GPS and interfacing with PC to store and organize data
- Must have valid driver's license.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's Degree in science-related field and 1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
- Experience with the principles of land acquisition or similar asset acquisition.
- Experience or training with ecological land management principles.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.
- Experience managing staff or volunteers.
- Strong leadership skills and proven supervisory experience.
- Proven experience managing facilities and equipment including basic carpentry, mechanical, plumbing, and electric skills.
- Experience performing physical work, facilities maintenance, electric fences, and equipment maintenance.
- Fire qualifications for prescribed burning, experience with chainsaws and water pumps.
- Experience recognizing plant and animal species.
- Proficiency with herbicide calibration, application, and safety.
- Proficiency with ArcGIS highly preferred.
- Experience in training and curriculum design.
- Willingness to work with and learn from people with different backgrounds and perspectives.
- Ability to work in isolated locations under sometimes adverse outdoor situations.
- Ability to work cooperatively with a number of staff and external parties, sometimes under pressure, in order to complete project work and goals in a timely manner.
- Strong communication and organizational skills.
Starting Salary $43,700 - $58,000 DOE