Overview
What We Can Achieve Together:
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.
We’re Looking for You:
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!
To apply for job ID 56144, submit your materials online by 02/09/2025 at 11:59pm EST using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.
What You’ll Bring:
• 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.
Salary Information:
The starting pay for a candidate selected for this position is $60,500 – $64,500 for annual base salary depending on experience. This rate 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.
About The Nature Conservancy in Montana
The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to protect the lands and waters on which all life depends.