Conservation Practitioner II

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Conservation Practitioner II performs and participates in preserve operations, maintenance and management that encompasses 8,015 acres in south-central Oklahoma. The Conservation Practitioner II (CPII) maintains preserve areas and removes exotic species by chemical or mechanical means. CPII operates power tools, equipment, ATVs and vehicles in a safe manner. CPII maintains and repairs equipment including lawn mower, trimmer, brush cutter, chainsaw, tractor, ATVs, UTVs, spray tanks, pumps, and vehicles.

The CPII assists with forest, woodland, prairie and savanna stewardship practices and management, surveying and monitoring flora and fauna, and assisting with prescribed fire. The CPII maintains facilities and grounds including mowing, trimming, fence and gate repair, installation of signage, and building maintenance. CPII may assist in data collection of monitoring plots and follows processes of data collection utilizing GIS databases on mobile and PC devices.

The position may involve variable weather conditions, remote locations for long periods in isolated settings, difficult and hazardous terrain and physically demanding circumstances, requiring considerable physical exertion. This position will be stationed at Pontotoc Ridge Preserve near Stonewall, Oklahoma. Housing will be provided (no pets). This is a regular full-time position (40 hours per week) lasting through August 21, 2026, with potential to evolve into a permanent full-time position.

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.

From grasslands to forests, rivers to mesas, we envision an Oklahoma where our natural heritage is valued and protected, and people are inspired to conserve nature for future generations. If you envision nature the same way we do, we’d love to have you join our team!

• High school diploma or GED and 1 year’s training in a science-related field or related experience in land management.
• Experience recognizing plant and animal species.
• Experience operating various types of equipment safely and efficiently (e.g. lawn mower, chainsaw, UTV, ATV or OHV, two-way radio, or similar equipment).
• Experience working in a team environment.
• Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required (e.g., First Aid, CPR, herbicide or pesticide application).

• Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• AA/AS and/or BA/BS degrees in ecological land management.
• 1-2 years of related experience in custodial and ecological land management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with or knowledge of natural systems.
• Ability to obtain driver’s license and maintain a good driving record.
• Ability to follow instructions from colleagues/coworkers/team members.
• PC and/or mobile device familiarity, including database knowledge or understanding.
• Willingness to learn Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Completing Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2) within 4 months of hire, including related training requirements; see fire manual for details.
• Ability to recognize plant and animal species to complete preserve management activities.
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, web browsers).
• Willingness to learn best management practices related to prescribed fire, grazing management, and invasive species management.
• Willingness to learn fire line construction.
• Willingness to learn about maintaining and repairing preserves infrastructures.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Willingness to become S-212 wildland chainsaw certified and become a basic faller.
• Some welding experience.
• Some experience with monitoring plots.

This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with The Nature Conservancy’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy…