Conservation Planner

Santa Fe, New Mexico, 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 Conservation Planner (Planner) provides technical leadership and support to the New Mexico business unit and plans and directs collaborative conservation planning projects. The Planner addresses critical threats to natural systems by collaborating with other TNC staff, developing relationships with local communities and rightsholder groups, and working closely with other agencies, universities, and organizations to research, gather, and synthesize data to develop conservation strategies and action plans that influence land management at the landscape, state-wide, and regional scales. Large-landscape projects supported by the Planner may include the Rio Grande Water Fund, Southern High Plains Initiative, Western Dry Forests & Fire Program, Colorado River Program, indigenous-led conservation planning, and statewide assessments of wetlands, forests, and acequias.

The Planner may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

Are you looking for work you can believe in? At TNC we strive to embody a philosophy of Work that You Can Believe in and where you can know you are making a difference every day. We’re looking for someone with experience building relationships with and learning from local partners, ecologists, social scientists, and government employees, writing project reports, and using GIS software. The candidate should have strong communication and collaboration skills. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to and shape all the New Mexico business unit conservation programs including supporting our forests, freshwater, lands, indigenous partnerships, and climate strategies.

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in planning, geography, forestry, natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience engaging rightsholders and subject matter experts to increase the knowledge and understanding of socioecological systems and ability to work within those systems to achieve conservation outcomes.
• Experience using GIS software to analyze data and create maps.
• Relationship-building and facilitation experience to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., 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 using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.

In addition, the following DESIRED skills and / or experience would be an asset for this role but are not required. For applicants without these, please view these as areas or skill sets where you will have opportunity for growth and professional development.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 3-5 years’ experience in natural resource management, similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
• Knowledge of ecological land management principles.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, conservation planning, land management, and natural resource conservation.

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.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $59,500 - $63,000 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 54674, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on February 23, 2024. 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.