Office Location:

Karlstad, Minnesota, USA

Thief River Falls, Minnesota, USA

The Field Steward will primarily report to the Tallgrass Aspen Parklands office located 40 miles from Karlstad, Minnesota.

While this position will work primarily from the Tallgrass Aspen Parklands office, you will occasionally be expected to travel and stay overnight at other work locations within the Tri-State (MN-ND-SD) Chapter.

#Li-Onsite

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube  or on Glassdoor.  

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Tallgrass Aspen Parklands (TAP) landscape contains over 300,000 acres of conservation land, including almost 16,000 acres of land directly managed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC.) The office is located in Karlstad, Minnesota. The landscape is a unique example of large tracts of relatively intact tallgrass prairie and hosts a number of charismatic species which include elk, bear, and wolves (just to name a few!) TNC works closely with partners in land management, including the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Nature Conservancy Canada. Wildland fire is a major part of land management in the area and TNC is a leader in fire management as well as other conservation and restoration efforts. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Preparing and participating in prescribed fires and burns on TNC, partner, and private lands.
• Leading or assisting invasive species management on TNC and partner lands.
• Operation and maintenance of various types of equipment.
• Leading and training staff to ensure a safe working environment and goal achievement.
• Identifying and supervising contract projects to work toward land management goals.
• Collaborating with conservation partners toward land management goals.
• Engaging with the community through recruitment and collaboration with landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members, and the general public to increase support and awareness.

We’re Looking for You:

We’re looking for a passionate, dedicated person to lead our Chapter and work within our Division. Systems Leadership, creativity, and the ability to influence without authority are key in this role. Come join TNC and apply today!

As our Field Steward for the Tallgrass Aspen Parklands, you will assist with planning and implementing preserve ecological management plans and projects on TNC and partner land. You will lead work teams and together, will address critical threats to natural systems and individual species, foster cross-site learning among the conservation community, and supply conservation planning with site level information relevant to the planning process. You will work closely with partner agencies toward shared conservation goals. You will have a direct role in prescribed fire planning and implementation and provide leadership on the fire line. You will also oversee and direct other stewardship activities, including the management of invasive species, equipment maintenance, contract project development, and supervisory duties.

You will work under minimal and/or distant supervision; and may make some independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context. You can expect to work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

This position will require irregular work hours and long days.  While this position will work primarily from the Tallgrass Aspen Parklands office, you will occasionally be expected to travel and stay overnight at other work locations within the Tri-State (MN-ND-SD) Chapter.

If you’re looking for a career where you can find meaning and purpose, come join our Chapter as the Tallgrass Aspen Parklands Field Steward! Not only will you fulfil conservation objectives in the beautiful state of Minnesota, but you’ll contribute to conservation goals through many networks!

What You’ll Bring:

• Associate degree and 5 years’ experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience operating various types of equipment (ATVs, UTVs, tractors, trucks and trailers, and mowers)
• Experience managing staff or volunteers.
• Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., media, government officials, internal scientists.
• 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.       

In addition, the following DESIRED 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.
• 3-5 years’ experience in natural resource management, similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• NWCG FFT1 qualified or ability to become qualified.
• Must achieve physical fitness standards as determined by the local Fire Program Manager and the TNC Fire Manual.
• Ability to obtain related licenses or certifications as required including: First Aid, CPR, herbicide or pesticide application.
• Ability to pass DOT health physical.
• Experience operating various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g. tractor, chainsaw, UTV/ATV or OHV, tracked equipment, two-way radio, or similar equipment.)
• Experience controlling invasive species via herbicide application and/or mechanical removal.
• Experience working with or around livestock (cattle) and working with grazing practices and fencing systems. 
• Experience with plant identification in the Great Plains.
• Ability to cross international border (Canada.)
• Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
• Knowledge of ecological land management principles.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.

What We Bring:

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package which includes health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan with employer match (up to 8%), parental leave, pet insurance, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, surrogacy, adoption assistance and assisted conception benefits,  employee discounts, and many other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

TNC also fosters an environment supportive of empowering our employees, amplifying an equitable workforce, and creating opportunities to participate in our nine Employee Resource Groups. 

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! 

Additional Information:

TNC also fosters an environment supportive of empowering our employees, amplifying an equitable workforce, and creating opportunities to participate in our nine Employee Resource Groups. 

In alignment with the global 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. 

Auto Safety Policy:

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.

 Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $48,600 – $53,000 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.