Conservation Careers & Job Opportunities

This is a hybrid role based out of the New Haven, Connecticut office. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

The Director of Stewardship (DoS) leads and manages strategic land stewardship and preserve accessibility work in Connecticut to ensure meaningful, equitable, and lasting contributions to The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) ambitious goals for nature and people and to comply with Land Trust Alliance Standards.  They lead a team of staff to set priorities across a portfolio of 110 easements and 55 preserves — one of which is among TNC’s most visited in the U.S. — and represent TNC as a major partner with state agencies, tribes, and other conservation organizations, co-managing and collaborating with these other land managers.  The DoS works closely with the Director of Conservation Programs and land protection, legal, and fund-raising staff.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead a team of 7 stewardship professionals, manage a heavy workload. Guide them to set priorities and meet deadlines while ensuring their safety, and cultivate a collaborative dynamic of learning, innovation, and problem solving.
• Address requests and issues that arise with landowners, neighbors, and partners, seeking resolution while maintaining constructive relationships, in consultation with their team, legal, and land protection staff.
• Incorporate equitable stewardship and develop and cultivate collaborative, cross-boundary stewardship with other entities, including state agencies, tribes, NGOs, and municipalities.
• Oversee and manage a portfolio of annual budgets and component projects. Identify and facilitate projects and draft and update management plans to strategically manage lands for resilience.
• Advise staff and partners on best practices for managing conservation lands, and on ecological and land management considerations associated with land transfers and acquisitions. Coordinate with Chapter conservation staff on opportunities to optimize TNC lands in support of additional outcomes and relationships and are a resource and advisor on best practices for managing conservation lands.
• Support the fundraising team in grant writing and raising public and private funds to build long-term sustainability of the stewardship program and communicates and promotes stewardship outcomes and activities to development and marketing efforts.
• Represent the Connecticut Chapter on TNC’s Northeast Division and North America
• Region stewardship and lands work groups and adjust CT’s stewardship strategies as we learn and adapt.