Muleshoe Preserve Steward

Location: Willcox, Arizona

The Muleshoe Ranch Preserve Steward is responsible for day-to-day maintenance and land management operations at a remote preserve in southeastern Arizona. The position maintains Preserve headquarters, including historic buildings, infrastructure, and equipment; implements management plans and ecological restoration projects with a priority on protecting the Preserve's aquatic and riparian systems; periodically supervises seasonal staff, volunteers, and contracted crews when present on the Preserve; and occasionally hosts visitors, donors, researchers, and partners. The Steward is also responsible for maintaining clean and functional housing and facilities for Preserve visitors and staff, including hands-on custodial work. This is a fixed-term position expected to be funded October 2026 - June 2027 and could change based on business needs. Housing at the Preserve is provided and is a requirement of this 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. We’re looking for someone who is passionate, motivated problem-solver. Come join TNC and apply today!

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Facilities and Infrastructure Management (~45%)

• Maintain historic buildings, staff/guest housing, shop facilities, utilities, roads, trails, fencing, vehicles, and equipment.

• Perform preventative, routine and corrective maintenance; determine when to complete work in-house vs. use contractors.

Land Management and Restoration (~30%)

• Implement Preserve management plans focused on aquatic systems.

• Build and maintain erosion/grade control structures, conduct invasive species control, perform native seed/plant collection and planting, and collect monitoring data.

Crew, Contractor and Project Leadership (~15%)

• Plan, schedule and supervise activities of seasonal staff, interns and volunteers, contracted crews, and work groups.

• Scope, plan, and carry out improvement projects independently and collaboratively; oversee contractors, inspect completed work, and coordinate multi-day remote crew operations.

Visitor and Partner Programs (~5%)

• Host donors, trustees, staff, researchers, partners and the public.

• Lead field trips/interpretive walks, support events and workshops, monitor visitor use, and communicate Preserve rules and stewardship practices.

Administration, Records and Planning (~5%)

• Develop and maintain Preserve records, including maintenance schedules and service records.

• Maintain monitoring databases for data such as streamflow, precipitation and rare species observations.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Responsible for day-to-day maintenance and land management operations at the Preserve. Works with infrequent direct supervision at a remote duty station approximately 2.5 hours from the nearest Conservancy office and one hour from the nearest town, accessed by a road that may become impassable during and after significant rainfall. Regularly required to make sound, independent field decisions within established Preserve management priorities, low-impact stewardship practices, and minimum-tool principles, consulting with their supervisor on matters with significant ecological, operational, or financial implications and collaborating on larger or more complex projects.

• Exercises sound judgment in work affecting Preserve infrastructure, historic structures, and sensitive riparian and restoration areas, where outcomes may be difficult to reverse, and identifies situations requiring supervisory, specialist, or contractor review before proceeding.

• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances; work may be performed on steep terrain accessed by hiking off-trail while carrying tools and materials.

• May occasionally require travel throughout Arizona for meetings, trainings, retreats, and to assist with stewardship, land management, maintenance, or other operational needs at Conservancy preserves and project sites.

• Occasionally requires working long hours, weekends, and holidays.

• Work is diverse and may not always fall under established practices and guidelines.

• Regularly lift, carry, push and pull 50 pounds; occasionally lift, carry, push and pull 80 pounds.

• Valid driver’s license.

• Youth Certification obtained from TNC within 30 days of hire.

• High school diploma/GED and 1 year’s training in a science-related field or related experience in land management, facilities maintenance or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience operating and/or repairing various types of equipment and machinery (e.g. lawn mower, chainsaw, UTV, ATV or OHV, two-way radio, backhoe, tractor or similar equipment).

• Experience working with electrical, plumbing, welding or concrete.

• Experience with natural systems.

• Experience in sustainable ecological land management principles.

• Experience working with computers and common software applications (e.g. Word, Excel, web browsers).

• Valid drivers license.

Desired Qualifications

• Current First Aid and CPR certification, or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire. Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), or EMT certification preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to live and work effectively at a remote duty station in shared quarters, including extended periods of self-directed work, and strong interpersonal skills with visitors, donors, researchers, agency partners, and crews.

• Four or more years of applied building maintenance, construction, or mechanical trades experience, including troubleshooting and repair of residential electrical and plumbing systems, carpentry, welding, or concrete work.

• Experience with erosion control, drainage, and site stabilization work, including hand-built rock structures.

• Experience with riparian, spring, or ciénega systems, or upland restoration to improve habitat and ecological function.

• Experience working under wilderness minimum-tool requirements or comparable low-impact work standards.

• Experience maintaining historic structures or historic preservation treatment standards.

• Experience leading crews, volunteers, or contracted work groups.

• General experience in agriculture or land management gained on a farm, ranch, or remote field station, including work with livestock.

• Wildland fire qualifications (FFT2 or higher) and S-212 chainsaw certification, or experience supporting prescribed fire operations.

• Experience implementing invasive species prevention or biosecurity protocols.

• Ability to recognize plant and animal species to complete preserve management activities.

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $21.10 – $22.42 hourly rate. 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.

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 include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One 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. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

What We Bring:

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 and Perks here.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization 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.