Malta, Montana, USA

Glasgow, Montana, USA or vicinity will be considered.

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 Rangeland Ecologist joins a dynamic team of local conservation partners in collaborative conservation work across north-central Montana. This position provides range ecology and wildlife biology expertise and technical assistance to landowners, government agencies, and other conservation partners for mixed-grass and sagebrush habitat conservation. The rangeland ecologist will function as the leader of a Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) program managed by The Nature Conservancy, in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, for greater sage-grouse and four species of grassland birds. CCAA planning and delivery components include making landowner contacts, performing resource inventories, developing rangeland resource and ranch management plans, completing written agreements, and compliance monitoring. Stewardship projects done in conjunction with partner groups include mesic restoration projects, crested wheatgrass improvements, grazing systems on native range, and grassland reseedings across public and private land. The Rangeland Ecologist position is part of the Conservancy's Northern Great Plains Program in Montana and works with other Conservancy stewardship staff based at the Matador Ranch near Malta and conservation staff in Montana, as well as conservation organizations, federal and state land management agencies, and research scientists. The Rangeland Ecologist works closely with rancher-led community collaboratives. This position is supervised by the Montana Northern Great Plains Director and supervises the Grassland Research Coordinator.

Responsibilities and Scope:

• Financial responsibility may include working within a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development.
• Develops and fosters relationships with federal and state agencies, tribes, landowners, and non-profit organizations on projects, funding, and outreach.
• Demonstrate strong communication skills across different mediums and audiences.
• Serves as project lead for Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances program for greater-sage grouse and declining grassland songbirds.
• Oversees collaborative development of stewardship projects including mesic restoration, grassland seedings, and grazing systems including ecological project monitoring and reporting.
• Works under minimal and/or distant supervision; will make some independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
• Will work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

Through the efforts of The Nature Conservancy, more than a million acres in Montana have been preserved for people and nature. With over 20 years' experience working in Eastern Montana, you'll be joining The Nature Conservancy and a network of people dedicated to protecting important grassland habitat for critical species while ensuring a sustainable ranching culture continues for years to come. This is an exceptional career opportunity for a highly motivated, capable individual interested in joining the world's leading conservation organization!

• BA/BS in rangeland management, wildlife biology, or related field and 5 years' experience in natural resource management or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience negotiating complex agreements.
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
• Experience with principles of land acquisition.
• Experience using spatial software including ArcGIS.
• Experience managing staff or volunteers.
• Experience building relationships with a variety of partners, i.e., agency staff, ranchers, non-profit staff.
• Experience managing and planning complex projects.
• 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.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of grassland management conservation practices and conservation science.
• Experience explaining conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and natural resource preservation.
• Knowledge of grassland and sagebrush ecology, conservation, and land management.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in grasslands conservation and land management.
• Experience working in rural communities.
• Experience with stream, wet meadow, and grassland/sagebrush restoration.
• 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 $60,500 - $64,500 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 56144, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on 02/09/2025. 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.