Bakersfield, California, USA.

The Stewardship Associate position will work about 25% of the time on the Preserve and 75% of the time from a home office. The Associate is responsible for commuting costs to and from the Preserve from their home.

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 Stewardship Associate at the Frank & Joan Randall Tehachapi Preserve will be an important Stewardship team member working to achieve our conservation and infrastructure goals. They will lead, coordinate, and implement ecological management activities on the Preserve which supports a diversity of habitat types, including pine forest, chaparral, riparian woodlands, oak woodland, and grasslands. They will lead development and management of a wide variety of contracts focused on infrastructure improvements, ecological management, and compliance monitoring. They will lead and co-lead many aspects related to operating a Preserve containing multiple working cattle ranches, including negotiating and managing grazing leases.

The Associate will represent The Nature Conservancy and the Preserve in the community through regular interactions with supporters, neighbors, cattle grazing tenants, volunteers, and community members. They will co-lead budget development and management including tasks related to meeting internal and external reporting requirements. They will also contribute to conservation planning goals and work to support acquisition of properties to build out the Preserve to achieve our long-term vision in the Tehachapi region. They will implement a variety of strategies to secure public and private support for TNC conservation priorities.

The Associate will perform in-person field work such as supporting field tours, leading volunteer workdays, site reconnaissance trips, ecological monitoring, and transporting, installing, and/or removing monitoring equipment. They will work in variable weather conditions in remote locations on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

The Stewardship Associate will work within the Randall Preserve team and the broader California Stewardship team. They are also encouraged to participate in cross-site learning among TNC's international conservation community.

From the mountains to the ocean, we work to conserve the natural resources that make California unique. If you are highly motivated and interested in joining the world's leading conservation organization, we'd love to hear from you!

• Bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience in natural resource management or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Experience negotiating complex agreements.
• Experience in ecological land management principles.
• Proficient in completing tasks independently and navigating remote locations.
• Experience communicating and working with diverse communities.
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and web browsers.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience using computer-based and smart phone/tablet mapping tools (e.g., ArcGIS, Avenza, Google Maps, OnX)
• Knowledge of or interest in learning to recognize plant and animal species to complete preserve management activities.
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience
• Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and natural resource preservation.
• Experience completing tasks independently and according to timelines.
• Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.

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 for this position is within the range of $70,500 - $82,825 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA, state of employment is California, and county of employment is Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, or Ventura. Where a successful candidate's pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors including location, skills, and experience. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

To apply for job ID 56662, submit your materials (resume and cover letter) online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 8:59 PM PST on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

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.

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 with diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. 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 orientations, gender identities, military or veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.