Land Management Fellow

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube  or on Glassdoor.  

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a myriad of TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

As we gain more insight into the evolving and complex threats to the lands and waters on which all life depends, the responsibilities we carry in the act of stewardship must evolve as well. Across the 30,000+ acres that TNC manages in Vermont, it is critical to expand our understanding, learn from the landscape, and adapt to necessary changes to honor the conservation legacy of our home. The Land Management Fellow (2-year limited term position) will be in service of this goal as we further our capacity to manage lands and waters with attention and care.

The Nature Conservancy in Vermont has created this fellowship position with the goal of fostering graduates from historically marginalized communities who are pursuing careers in conservation. We aim to support our fellows so that they are competitive applicants with skills needed for full-time regular service positions at conservation organizations and agencies, and so that they can ultimately become professionals in their field. Candidates who identify with historically marginalized communities, or as first-generation college students, are strongly encouraged to apply. This is a two-year position, with priority given to recent graduates with a Bachelor’s degree.

We’re Looking for You:

The Fellow’s role will focus on advancing our strategic goals and improving the conditions of our land management. They will ensure the coordination, implementation, and revision of the management plans that underlie stewardship activities. This work will help to organize and advance an existing effort to prioritize management actions in the face of biodiversity loss and climate change. Through the duration of their time with TNC, the Fellow will play a critical role in essential field operations and conduct follow-up office work to organize and maintain data and records. To achieve this, the Fellow will need to be based in Vermont in a hybrid office environment and execute the following responsibilities:

• Plan, schedule, and implement numerous field-based projects to assess invasive species, forest condition, regulatory compliance, and status of access opportunities. Field work component will require the Fellow to work outside in a variety of conditions ~50-60% of their time.
• Support natural area management planning and projects designed to improve on-site conditions.
• Coordinate the effort to standardize and reconcile the breadth of information and data that comprises our management plans.
• Gather and maintain reports and data that will accurately inform future management activities.
• Further the understanding and sharing of stories that surround our natural areas.

The Fellow will be supervised by the Stewardship Manager based in Montpelier, Vermont during their two-year tenure. They will also work closely with stewardship colleagues and other staff. The supervisor will provide a variety of land management projects, help co-create independent initiatives, and integrate the Fellow into the Vermont team and the organization at large. The Fellow’s responsibilities will have the potential to expand as they learn and develop skills to support the program’s goals. In recognition of this early career role, they will be encouraged to immerse themselves in a broad suite of professional development opportunities.

What You’ll Bring:

• Recent bachelor’s degree (received within the last 2 years) or equivalent, with a focus on ecological land management.
• Experience, comfort, & ability to work outside in a variety of conditions, some of which may be variable, remote, on hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances sometimes for up to 8 hours in a day, multiple days a week.
• Demonstrated ability to receive information from multiple sources, then synthesize and organize it clearly to serve as a foundation for future planning and implementation.
• Your unique voice, perspective, and lived experience as it pertains to TNC’s mission and conservation work.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively with respect to your and others’ schedules.
• Strong commitment to organization, attention to detail, and adaptability.
• Curiosity and enthusiasm around the challenges and opportunities that arise from land management.
• Working knowledge of relevant technology such as Microsoft Suite and GIS software.
• Clear communication via written, spoken, and graphical means in English. Multilingual skills appreciated. Multicultural or cross-cultural experience preferred.

A genuine interest in exploring a career in conservation with motivation to learn and develop skills.

What We Bring:

The Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become 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, we impact conservation throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!