Dillon, Montana, 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 High Divide Land Protection Specialist provides technical implementation support to the Montana Business Unit of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and addresses critical threats to natural systems and individual species, fosters cross-site learning amongst the conservation community, and supplies conservation planning teams with site or landscape level information relevant to the planning process. This position develops and implements conservation strategies and employs a full range of protection tools to acquire varying degrees of legal interest in land and implements a variety of strategies to secure public and private support for TNC conservation priorities.

The High Divide Land Protection Specialist will work closely with TNC, Intermountain West Joint Venture, and other partners to develop and implement private working land protection projects in southwest Montana. This position is responsible for assisting with land and water conservation and protection working with private landowners, conservation organizations, federal, state, and local entities and other partners on conservation easements, fee title acquisitions, conservation planning, and associated activities. This is a unique position with the opportunity to be self-driven to expedite protection of critical habitats focused on maintaining an intact, connected and resilient landscape capable of supporting sagebrush obligate wildlife, Arctic grayling, seasonal big game migrations, and an expanding range of grizzly bears. The successful candidate will be driven to accelerate the pace of land conservation through creative thinking, successful partnerships, and an ability to work with and communicate effectively with landowners and partners while pursuing opportunities to streamline and expedite conservation easements.

Responsibilities & Scope:

• Track, understand, and help pursue new public and private conservation funding opportunities.
• Assist with conservation planning to identify highest priority unprotected private lands.
• Assist with outreach efforts to landowners interested in private land protection and via various forums.
• Collect, review, and collate initial due diligence for new protection opportunities (maps, natural resource information, legal access, water rights, title work, mineral rights, ownership structure, etc.).
• Assist in preparing project funding proposals
• Conduct property site visits to new protection opportunities to evaluate and document natural resources, conservation values, species inventories, land use practices, property boundaries, and boundary encroachments.
• Address landowner and project partner questions and requests in a timely and effective manner.
• Prepare/ review habitat management plans, forest management plans, grazing plans, building proposals and other reserved rights/permitted use documents associated with easements.
• Prepare preliminary project summaries for internal and external audiences.
• Complete conservation easement baseline reports for easement properties.
• Complete environmental assessments for easement properties and fee title acquisitions.
• Assist with coordinating appraisers, surveyors, geologists, title companies, and other consultants engaged for a project.
• May assist with conservation projects in other geographies in Montana as needed.
• Approximately 30% field work and 70% office work.
• Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
• May supervise 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.
  

The Nature Conservancy's goal in the High Divide Headwaters is to protect, restore, and maintain a resilient whole system where nature and people can thrive. We have been working to protect land and water in this vast "working wilderness" for more than twenty years. We continue to work toward this goal by advancing land protection and restoration in high-priority areas, including wildlife corridors, floodplain habitats, and sagebrush steppe. Across the High Divide's large, diverse landscape, we employ a collaborative, community-based approach guided by science.

If you're looking for a career where you can find meaning and purpose, come join our Chapter as the High Divide Land Protection Specialist! Not only will you fulfil conservation objectives in the beautiful state of Montana, but you'll contribute to conservation goals through many networks!

• Bachelor's degree and 3 years' experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., landowners, 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 handling confidential information.
• Experience using software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, Adobe Acrobat, ArcGIS, ArcMaps, Survey 123, etc.

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 is a 3-year term position with an approximate start and end date of April 2025 - April 2028.

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 $53,000 - $55,500 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 56543, submit your resume and cover letter online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on 4/15/2025. 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.