- Agency
- Walker Basin Conservancy
- Location
- Yerington, NV
- Job Category
- Full time Positions
- Salary
- Salary range of $70,000-$90,000 per year, commensurate with experience.
- Last Date to Apply
- 04/15/2023
- Website
- https://www.walkerbasin.org/careers
- Description
- STATUS: Full Time, Exempt REPORTS TO: Executive Director POSITIONS REPORTING TO THIS POSITION: Field Operations Manager, Farm Manager, Housing and Facilities Manager and Fleet and Equipment Senior Coordinator, Restoration Ecologist LOCATION: Yerington, NV We invite you to join us in our ambitious mission to restore Walker Lake. The Conservancy has an inclusive, positive culture that values work-life balance and growth opportunities. Our generous benefits package further separates us from other non-profits and local employers. BACKGROUND: The Walker Basin Conservancy acquires water rights and ranches to increase freshwater flows to Walker Lake. We re-establish native plant communities on former agricultural fields, increase public access and recreation opportunities, and develop practical solutions to save Walker Lake and protect environmental interests throughout the Walker Basin. From creating Nevada’s newest State Park (the Walker River State Recreation Area) to adding thousands of acres to Wildlife Management Areas, our work impacts thousands of community members, ranchers and recreationists every year. The Conservancy operates a nursery that produced more than 25,000 native plants in 2021 and produces native seed for conservation purposes on its properties. Our team comprises approximately 30 full-time employees and between 15 and 40 AmeriCorps Members given the season. JOB PURPOSE: This leadership position will have a lasting impact on the unique region of the Walker Basin. The Field Operations Director leads the successful implementation of field work including revegetation, ranch management, seed collection, trail building, habitat improvement, recreation improvement and weed management. The Field Operations team consists of 20-plus staff and up to five AmeriCorps crews. The Director oversees multiple project managers and coordinators responsible for the day-to-day implementation of conservation projects. This position is supported by leadership positions in Human Resources and AmeriCorps. These leaders work to develop an excellent work force and practices so that the Field Operations Director can successfully implement projects. The ideal candidate will possess experience, knowledge, and skills related to planning and executing native seed production and marketing, project management and staff supervision. Knowledge of desert plant and wildlife identification and ecology is highly desirable. The successful candidate will be a team-oriented communicator and facilitator, who leads by example and possesses an interest in mentorship and teaching. Salary & Benefits Salary range of $70,000-$90,000 per year, commensurate with experience. Additionally, the Conservancy provides an excellent employee benefits package which includes: • Employer paid health, dental and vision plans for employee (worth over $5,200 annually); • Retirement 403(b) plan including a Conservancy contribution equal to 6% of your salary ($1,996 to $2,745 annually); • Life insurance plan for employee (pays up to 1x employee’s yearly salary to beneficiary) • 120 hours of annual paid vacation, increasing to 160 hours after first year, 16 hours of annual personal leave, and 60 hours of annual sick leave; • Paid holiday week between Christmas and New Year’s in addition to 12 paid holidays during the year. • Health and wellness subsidy of up to $300 annually. • Access to outdoor industry pro-deals. • Employer paid professional development. Essential Functions Lead the Conservancy’s Field Operations including: • Lead implementation of field work including revegetation, ranch management, seed collection, trail building, habitat improvement, recreation improvement and weed management; • Deliver field work outcomes on time and on budget; • Develop and monitor budgets for field operations; • Grow the Conservancy’s field operations by building relationships with funders, land managers, public entities, fellow nonprofits, and stakeholders. Contribute to project development and proposal creation; • Lead the development of annual plans for field work Conservancy-wide. Budget and forecast staffing needs on monthly and annual bases, and work with Senior HR Manager to ensure recruiting and staffing needs are met; • Lead multiple project managers responsible for day-to-day implementation of Conservation projects on Conservancy and public lands. Provide vision, mentorship, and supervision; • Lead outcome and financial reporting for all field operations. With support from Finance Director, develop monthly project reporting processes for grant billing and internal cost tracking; • Oversee operation of Sutter Ranch for native seed production and develop long-term public access. Work with subject matter experts and farmers to implement multi-year operational plan; • Oversee fleet including capital budgeting, Fleet and Equipment Coordinator, and reporting; • Continuously improve and measure the efficiency of field operations; • Develop employees with the support from the Leadership Team as a whole; • Work with Conservation Science Director to ensure long-term monitoring of restoration and stewardship projects; • Work with AmeriCorps and Recreation Programs Director to deliver excellence in field operations and communication; • Serve on the Conservancy’s Leadership team, participating in regular WBC Leadership meetings and contributing to a positive, inclusive, results-driven culture; and • With leadership team, develop and assist in writing grant proposals and facilitating donor and stakeholder visits.
- Qualifications
- Preferred Qualifications • A minimum of 5 years in a conservation management position with progressively increasing responsibility; • Preferred M.S. degree in natural resources, land management, land planning or similar field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience preferred; • Experience in natural resource planning and policy development; • Experience with grant writing and stakeholder engagement; • Experience with agriculture (farming/ ranching operations) and irrigation water conveyance systems: drip, sprinkler, flood, pumps (small and large irrigation); • Experience and skill in identifying plants and wildlife (including herpetofauna, birds, and/or invertebrates) occurring in the Great Basin; • Experience planning and coordinating project timelines and staffing requirements; • Ability to train and lead staff and volunteers conducting monitoring activities; • Experience developing proposals or research projects from new funding sources, including proposal writing, project management, and reporting; • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and with cross-functional teams; • Strong critical thinking skills and independent problem-solving ability; • Ability to keep detailed records, communicate with other staff and supervisors, and work unsupervised to accomplish program tasks ; • Familiarity with GIS and GPS applications and technologies; and • Clean driving record and a NV State driver’s license, or ability to obtain within 1 month of hire. Physical and Mental Requirements Strength, dexterity, coordination and vision to use tools and equipment for prolonged periods. Strength and stamina to bend, stoop, sit and stand for long periods. Strength and dexterity to operate small, medium and heavy equipment. Strength and stamina to endure standing and working for long periods in extreme weather conditions. Dexterity and vision to observe oncoming traffic hazards and react quickly to emergency situations. Some heavy lifting (over 75 pounds) is occasionally required. In compliance with applicable disability laws, reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with a disability who require and request such accommodations. Applicants and incumbents are encouraged to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Working Conditions This position functions in both outdoor and indoor environments. Indoor work will occur in a clean environment, typically performed at a desk. Outdoor settings will be exposed to varying weather conditions, including, but not limited to extreme heat, dry conditions, rain, snow or hail, and extreme cold. Work sites will generally be in areas with at least primitive road access for vehicles. Work sites will generally not have access to potable water, restroom facilities or cellphone signals, and staff will be expected to follow Leave No Trace principals on work sites without facilities. Work will frequently require hiking over rough terrain while carrying tools and equipment. The work environment is generally dirty, with prolonged exposure to conditions such as dust, fumes, noise and odors. Frequent interruptions to planned work activities occur. Position will remain open until filled. Only top candidates will be contacted. All applicants must also submit an Employment Application Acknowledgement form that can be found on our website at: https://www.walkerbasin.org/careers To Apply, please send cover letter, resume, and acknowledgement form to: Amy Gladding Amy.Gladding@walkerbasin.org Subject Line: Field Operations Director Please call (775) 463-9887 ext. 116 with questions. Walker Basin Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer. Equal Opportunity Statement – Walker Basin Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer. The Conservancy does not discriminate against any employee, applicant, director, officer, contractor, or any other person with whom it deals because of race, creed, color, disability, age, sex, veteran status, religion or political affiliation. The Conservancy complies with all federal and local statutes prohibiting discrimination in employment. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for qualified individuals with a disability. Disclaimer - The statements contained herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by the employees in these positions. The statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in each position. Other responsibilities, duties, and skills may be assigned and management retains the right to add or change the responsibilities, duties, and skills at any time.
- Contact Person
- Amy Gladding
- Contact eMail
- amy.gladding@walkerbasin.org
