Land Steward

Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

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 Land Steward develops and implements plans for the ecological and operational management of TNC lands in the Central Appalachians, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain of Virginia. The Land Steward manages preserve operations by maintaining infrastructure including roads, trails parking areas and boardwalks. They conduct legal compliance monitoring of TNC fee lands and conservation easements in accordance with Land Trust Alliance standards and resolve ownership challenges in consultation with the Director of Land Management. The Land Steward leads ecological management projects on priority properties, including invasive species control, collaborating with partners, and overseeing contractors as necessary. In addition, the Land Steward is a key member of the state-wide fire management team, operating in leadership positions on prescribed fires and leading TNC staff and agency partners on burn unit prep. The Land Steward works closely with the Volunteer Program to organize and supervise volunteer workdays and may supervise permanent and seasonal staff.

• Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and judgment.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Financial responsibility may include working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating, and contracting with vendors, and assisting with budget development.
• Travels frequently throughout Virginia (>100 days/year), with regular overnight and occasional weekends required.
• May supervise technical, administrative, and professional staff with responsibility for performance management, training, and development.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
  

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) with strong commitment to advancing fire qualifications. See the Conservancy’s Fire Management Manual for a full explanation of qualification requirements: https://www.tncfiremanual.org/
• Must achieve physical fitness standards as set by local Fire Manager (Arduous pack test prior to start date)
• Ability to obtain related licenses or certifications such as first aid, CPR, Virginia pesticide applicator.
• Experience operating and repairing various types of equipment and machinery (e.g., weed eater, chainsaw, tractor, two-way radio, GPS device, UTV, ATV or OHV, etc.).
• Youth certified (within initial 30 days with TNC; annually thereafter) - involves signature of commitment, completion of Youth Abuse prevention training and must meet the organizational background screening.
• Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., state and federal agencies, NGOs, private landowners.
• 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, email, shared calendars, etc.
• Must have valid driver's license.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Meets NWCG qualifications for Single Resource Boss (e.g., FIRB, ENGB), including coursework and experience requirements.
• Intermediate Faller (Faller 2), or similar level of training and experience with chainsaws
• Familiarity with the plants, animals, and natural communities of Virginia.
• Experience inventorying and treating invasive plants.
• Experience maintaining public access infrastructure such as trails, kiosks, parking areas and boardwalks.
• Experience operating unmanned aircraft systems (drones)
• Experience managing staff or volunteers.
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.

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.

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 $55,000 – $61,000 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.

To apply for job ID 54346, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on December 26, 2023. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

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.