Job Description: 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 myriad TNC staff members, “You’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”
What We Can Achieve Together:
The Oregon stewardship assistant is an entry-level, seasonal position starting March 24th, 2025, and ending September 19th, 2025. The stewardship assistant will spend time in multiple Oregon geographies as a team member that performs operations, maintenance, and monitoring of two important conservation sites in Oregon. At both locations, they will conduct general preserve stewardship duties supporting priority projects while developing their conservation and stewardship skills.
During the stewardship assistant’s term, they will work under the supervision of an experienced steward performing field tasks such as fence and infrastructure maintenance, invasive plant monitoring and control (including herbicide use), vegetation monitoring, wildlife surveys, prescribed fire burn unit preparation, trail work, and data collection. The stewardship assistant will also assist with site, equipment, and facilities maintenance, and repair. They will maintain and preserve records using a computer, or mobile devices. The stewardship assistant will work in the field and office alongside TNC staff, partners, and volunteers, including youth volunteers, and independently. They may interact with visitors from the public hiking on the trail and enforce preserve use guidelines. Will work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances, and requiring considerable physical exertion.
Columbia Basin Program
From March 24th to June 22nd, 2025, the stewardship assistant performs and participates in preserve operations, maintenance, and monitoring primarily at the Boardman Conservation Area (BCA) near Boardman, Oregon. The BCA is a 23,000-acre grassland and shrub-steppe property managed by TNC to provide habitat for sensitive species. The primary objective at the BCA is to protect and improve native plant communities and their associated wildlife species. The stewardship assistant will conduct stewardship duties at the BCA as well as other preserves in north-central Oregon. The position requires living in shared housing, provided free of charge by TNC in Ione, a small rural town.
Oregon Coast Preserves
From June 23rd to September 19th, 2025, the stewardship assistant performs and participates in preserve operations, maintenance, and management at three preserves on the Oregon Coast. The primary duties will occur in the field at Cascade Head Preserve, a coastal grassland ecosystem supporting native and rare species near Lincoln City, Oregon. Access to work sites on that Preserve involves a moderately strenuous 4-mile round trip hike with 600 ft of elevation gain at a minimum. Projects will also occur at other conservation sites on the coast. TNC’s preserves in these locations include a high-quality tidal marsh at Cox Island and estuarine sites around Tillamook that have recently been restored to forested
tidal wetlands. The position will be based in Lincoln City, a small beach town. Support with shared housing opportunities may be available.
To apply for job ID 56059, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. The application deadline is 1/21/25 at 8:59 PM PST. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character 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.
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.