Location:

South Dakota, United States
Salary:

$84,000 - $138,000 / YEAR
Job type:

FULL_TIME
Posted:

4 months ago
Category:

Information and Communication Technology
Deadline:

14/09/2025

JOB DESCRIPTION

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Preserve Manager (PM) is stationed at the 7800-acre Ordway Prairie Preserve which lies in the heart of the Prairie Pothole Region; also referred to as North America’s “Duck Factory” because of its significant breeding habitat for waterfowl. Ordway Prairie is also home to one of the Conservancy’s many bison herds and serves as the hub for our conservation work in north-central South Dakota.

The Preserve Manager provides day-to-day project management, leadership, and implementation of conservation projects within and around the Leola Hills landscape including TNC’s 7,800-acre Ordway Prairie Preserve.

Examples of responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
Assist with grazing and livestock management such as daily care of cattle/bison, annual roundups, assistance with research projects and data collection.
Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
Responsible for safe operation and maintenance of buildings and grazing infrastructure (such as fence, corrals, and watering stations) and equipment (ATV/UTVs, chainsaws, 4WD vehicles, skid-steers/tractors and attachments)
Develops and manages a budget, negotiating, and contracting with vendors, and supporting fundraising and donor stewardship efforts.
Network with diverse groups, including landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the public to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy projects.
Performs ecological management tasks such as biological monitoring, invasive species control, grazing and fire management.
Negotiates/writes agreements and leases and handles compliance issues in cooperation with other staff.
Develops, implements, and delivers local programs/projects that align with TNC’s mission and goals.
Travel to other sites to provide stewardship of other properties, assist other programs, and for trainings or meetings as needed
Recruits and leads diverse teams.

In this role, you will develop and implement plans using an adaptive management process – including chemical, biological, and mechanical control of noxious weeds, grazing management, and fire management as well as participate in research and monitoring programs.

The Preserve Manager will assist with livestock management including daily care of the resident bison herd. The Preserve Manager addresses critical threats to natural systems and individual species, fosters cross-site learning among the conservation community and local landowners, and supplies conservation planning teams with site or landscape level information relevant to the planning process. May 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 Ordway Prairie Preserve in Leola, SD and will occasionally be expected to travel and stay overnight at other work locations within the Tri-State (MN-ND-SD) Chapter.

In order to effectively conduct the essential functions of the position, it is strongly suggested the Ordway Prairie Preserve Manager live within a reasonable distance from the Ordway Prairie Preserve, near Leola, SD, as agreed upon with the supervisor. The Ordway Prairie Preserve Manager is expected to respond to urgent and routine issues and events on the preserve in a timely manner. Issues and events may include but are not limited to livestock management, security, equipment failures, and visitors. Housing for the Preserve Manager and immediate family is available for lease on the Samuel H. Ordway, Jr. Memorial Preserve.

We’re Looking for You:

As the Preserve Manager, you will ensure support and collaborate closely with colleagues across the MN, ND, SD Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. You may oversee or lead a team of staff or volunteers dedicated to the management of the Ordway Prairie Preserve, near Leola, SD, and other TNC land interests.

As our Preserve Manager, you thrive in an environment based on learning and are able to adapt and embrace the opportunity for variable work duties. Examples include: office work to field labor, working independently to working with teams, following existing standard protocols to developing new methods and process. As our Preserve Manager, you will build relationships and network with diverse groups such as: private landowners, ranchers, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the public to inspire support for the Conservancy’s priorities.

If this sounds like you, this is an exceptional career opportunity for a highly motivated, capable individual interested in joining the world’s leading conservation organization!

What You’ll Bring:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

AA/AS degree and 5 years’ experience in natural resource management or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Supervisory or leadership experience.
Experience communicating with the public both in writing or verbally.
Experience completing tasks independently concerning timeline(s).
Experience operating and maintaining various types of equipment and facilities.
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.

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.

In addition, the following DESIRED skills and/or experiences would be an asset for this role but are not required to apply. For applicants without these, please view these as areas or skillsets where you will have opportunities for growth and professional development.

Desired Qualifications

Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and to guide activities.
Knowledge of ecological land management/restoration principles, including range management, wildlife management, invasive species ecology, livestock husbandry, and fire management.
Ability to maintain facilities including, corrals, fence, office, housing, and workshop.
Must be qualified as or able to meet qualifications of a Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2) and work toward qualifications as needed to implement fire strategies. See https://www.tncfiremanual.org/FIrefighter.htm
Ability to pass annual fitness test (carrying a 45-pound pack over 3 miles of level terrain in 45 minutes or less.)
Knowledge of flora and fauna of the Northern Great Plains.
Experience with GPS and GIS and data management.
Ability to obtain required licenses or certifications, such as first aid, CPR, and herbicide application.
Ability to follow instructions and work cooperatively with others.
Ability to think creatively about how to leverage resources.
Commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Knowledge of ecological land management principles.
Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $52,000 – 55,500. 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.

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 Bring:

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 and Perks here.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

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 [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

This job has expired.