What We Can Achieve Together:
The Aravaipa Canyon Preserve Steward (ACPS) performs and participates in construction and maintenance of Preserve buildings, infrastructure, and equipment, assists with restoration projects, manages livestock, provides guest services, monitors land, water, flora and fauna, and may work with other Conservation staff as part of a team at other Arizona preserves.
We’re Looking for You:
Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. We’re looking for someone who is passionate, motivated problem-solver. Come join TNC and apply today!
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Required to live on-site; housing provided by TNC. The Aravaipa Canyon Preserve Steward implements preserve stewardship, including general operation and management, guest services, movement and handling of livestock, repair and maintenance of buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure, and land management activities. The ACPS works in any and all parts of the Aravaipa Ecosystem, including alone, in the rugged backcountry and wilderness, horseback, and afoot. They live and work in a remote, rural location. They must be self-reliant, comfortable in all weathers, physically and mentally capable of navigating through remote backcountry and negotiating rough terrain. They must be able to operate tools and equipment common to farms and ranches and improvise solutions to unanticipated problems in the field.
Duties are anticipated in the percentages below, and may fluctuate based on the business needs:
Land Management, 50%
- Implement preserve management plans as directed, which may include fire, weed, livestock grazing, and trespass control.
- Monitor land and water, including fee land, conservation easements, streamflow, well depths, range conditions, and wildlife habitat.
- Assist in monitoring flora and fauna including sensitive species, and exotic species.
- May assist with prescribed fire, fire prevention, and fuels management activities.
- Control of exotic fish and wildlife species and exotic vegetation.
- Boundary posting and sign maintenance.
- Care, feeding, wrangling, movement, transport, and handling of livestock, including horses and cattle as directed.
- Implement native grass farming operations to include planting, irrigating, harvesting, baling, and transporting hay.
- Operates, transports, maintains, and repairs vehicles, farm implements, and other equipment, such as tractor and chainsaw.
Maintenance, 30%
- Building maintenance (painting, plumbing, electrical, yard maintenance, etc.).
- Land/trail maintenance (remove fallen trees, road repair, mowing, vegetation clearing, etc.).
- Equipment maintenance (oil change on tractor, etc.).
- Building, installation, repair, and maintenance of infrastructure such as fencing, wells, waters, pipelines, roads, etc.
General Public Activities, 10%
- Guest services including housekeeping of cabins and guest house as needed.
- Coordinate with Manager to lead field trips and volunteer stewardship workdays.
- Open and close the preserve as needed.
- Weekly trespass patrol of Aravaipa Canyon Road from Headquarters to East Trailhead.
Administration, 10%
- Data collection and accurate and timely completion of data sheets, field notes, timesheets, monitoring reports, and expense reports.
- Maintain accurate Preserve records using a database, PC or mobile device.
- Inputs data into databases for monitoring information such as stream flow, rare species, and precipitation.
- May create and compile GIS information and databases for the Aravaipa watershed and greater Galiuro Mountain complex.
RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE
- Position executes all duties within the Conservancy’s Policies, Standard Operating Procedures, business practices, processes and guidelines and Business Unit (BU) practices.
- May monitor work groups consisting of staff, interns, and volunteers covering a wide geographic area.
- May supervise seasonal staff / volunteers.
- Requires considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
- Required to work long hours, alone, in remote, isolated settings.
- Networks with diverse groups, including landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the general public to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy programs/preserves.
- May work under minimal and/or distant supervision; may make some independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Travel (AZ and occasionally in U.S. for training, retreats, etc.); work overtime; work evenings, weekends, holidays as needed.
- Timely and accurate completion of required documents such as performance check-ins; timecards; expense reports.
- Regularly lift, pull, push, and move 80 pounds.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Other duties as required.
What You’ll Bring:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- AS/Technical or vocational degree in science-related field and 1-year related experience in custodial and ecological land management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience with natural systems.
- Experience in ecological land management principles.
- Experience operating and/or repairing various types of equipment and machinery. (e.g., lawn mower, chainsaw, tractor, GPS device, UTV, ATV or OHV, etc.).
- Must be able to obtain related licenses and/or certifications as required (e.g., First Aid, CPR, herbicide application, etc.).
- Youth certified (completes TNC training within initial 30 days of employment; annually thereafter).
PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor of Science degree in natural resource, agriculture, or related field.
- 1 – 2 years related experience in custodial and ecological land management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- General experience in agriculture or land management gained through working on a farm, ranch, or remote field station (including working with livestock such as cattle and horses).
- General experience in construction, landscaping, building maintenance, excavation, or similar work including troubleshooting and solving basic electrical wiring, plumbing water systems, building fence, and/or other mechanical systems.
- Demonstrated ability to live, work, and navigate, alone, in remote or backcountry areas unsupervised for several days at a time.
- Ability to recognize plant and animal species to complete preserve management activities.
- Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Web browsers)
- Experience supervising volunteers, interns, or entry level staff.
- Knowledge/understanding of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation/conservation or similar field.
- Ability to accurately complete tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
- Wilderness First Aid or basic First Aid Training
- Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English.
- Experience working in a metrics driven culture.
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
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 the Auto Safety information page 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 $36,800 ($20.22/hr) - $39,360 ($21.62/hr) based on a 35-hour workweek. 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 include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.
One 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. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the 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.
Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization 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.
