South Dakota, United States

#LI-HYBRID

This position is ideally based in South Dakota with an emphasis on building relationships with Lakota Nations and People part of the Great Sioux Nation (although other locations may be considered.) This position will also have the ability to travel across the Northern Great Plains (ND, SD, MT, WY, NE) to be in community with Tribal and other partners. Travel domestically (outside the NPG) and/or internationally with the occasional need to work evening and weekend hours can be expected.

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world's toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One of TNC's primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we'll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply - we'd love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, "you'll join for the mission, and you'll stay for the people."

At TNC, our goal is to ethically and effectively support and partner with Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples to create a shared future of healthy lands, waters, and communities. The Northern Great Plains (NGP) Tribal Partnership Director will focus on supporting and guiding TNC's Northern Great Plains Initiative (NGPI) and helping assure TNC is a trusted and effective partner in support of Tribal and Indigenous conservation priorities and Indigenous-led conservation.

As the NGP Tribal Nations Partnership Director, you will be part of our larger NGP team working to grow conservation efforts across the five-state region of MT, ND, NE, SD, and WY. As such, you will serve as TNC's primary liaison with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities in North Dakota and South Dakota specifically and work closely with TNC staff doing similar work in the NGP. You will also work internally to build capacity for partnerships and work collaboratively with other TNC teams at the multi-state, national, and global levels.

As a leader in the organization, you will be an advisor, thought partner, and resource expert for colleagues leading programs focused on climate change and water and land conservation outcomes. As TNC's partnership lead for Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples in the NGP, you will be a key point of contact with a range of public and private organizations. You will help define priorities, develop strategies, manage projects, and build scientific and/or technical capacity. You may negotiate complex and innovative solutions, agreements and/or partnerships and occasionally support fundraising.

Other Responsibilities Include:

• Evaluate progress and implement TNC's North American Indigenous Right Relations program pillars:
  • Build TNC's competency and capacity to partner with Indigenous Peoples.
  • Support Indigenous Peoples' voice, choice, and action to advance their authority and improve natural resource policies.
  • Work to increase access and use of lands and waters.
  • Transform the definition and practice of conservation.
• Work collaboratively on conservation efforts that mutually benefit Tribal Communities and biodiversity.
• Facilitate relationship development and ongoing cultivation with Tribal Nations, Tribal staff, and Indigenous Communities to elevate existing conservation work, and identify new opportunities for partnerships.
• Serve as a resource for internal staff needs within the NGP and potentially more broadly within TNC.
• Represent TNC's work with Tribal Nations, as well as regional and global partners.
• Work with government relations staff on the development of state and federal policies that benefit Tribal nations.
• Exercise sound judgement to make independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and judgment even when context or information is ambiguous.

This position is ideally based in South Dakota with an emphasis on building relationships with Lakota Nations and People part of the Great Sioux Nation (although other locations may be considered.) This position will also have the ability to travel across the Northern Great Plains (ND, SD, MT, WY, NE) to be in community with Tribal and other partners. Travel domestically (outside the NPG) and/or internationally with the occasional need to work evening and weekend hours can be expected.

This position will not have immediate supervisory responsibilities at this time but may need to plan and direct the work of contractors, volunteers, and/or interns.

Are you looking for a career that helps people and nature to thrive together? Are you passionate about elevating the voice, choice, and action of Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples? We're looking for a strategic thinker, skilled relationship-manager, and collaborative leader to help us create a shared future of healthy lands, waters, and communities. You will work with innovative and passionate colleagues, Tribal nations and Indigenous communities, and a wide range of partners to advance conservation and public policy solutions that increase rights to land, waters, and natural resources and accelerate Indigenous-led conservation.

• Bachelor's degree in political science, environmental policy, biological sciences, natural resource management or other relevant field, and 5 years of lived and/or professional experience in Indigenous studies, conservation practice, public policy, or natural resources.
• Experience building and guiding relationships with diverse partners such as Tribal Nations, Indigenous communities, conservation organizations, government entities, corporations and foundations, and others to identify and achieve shared goals.
• Understanding of Tribal governance, historical context, cultures, and natural resources concerns in the NGP.
• Experience working with different levels of government: Tribal, Municipal, County, State, and Federal.
• Experience facilitating hard conversations and negotiating through differences in a culturally appropriate manner.
• Experience facilitating and leading internal strategy with a thoughtful and inclusive process.
• Experience developing, directing, and managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.

In addition, the following Additional Qualifications of Interest listed below are an asset for this role but not required.

Additional Qualifications of Interest

• Master's degree or other additional education appreciated.
• Indigenous language experience appreciated; or additional multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Knowledge of current conservation or natural resources issues and challenges.
• Established relationships with Tribal Nations, non-profits, and stakeholders, with experience working in the Northern Great Plains highly preferred.
• Experience integrating Indigenous and traditional ecological knowledge and world views into conservation and science approaches.
• Experience with initiation and management of budgets, contracts, and formal agreements.
  

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 on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

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

TNC also fosters an environment supportive of empowering our employees, amplifying an equitable workforce, and creating opportunities to participate in our nine Employee Resource Groups.

In alignment with the global organization, the Tri-State chapter is making an intentional effort to creating a community of inclusivity and belonging through collaboration and feedback. We're committed to building a culture based on trust, transparency, empathy, and accountability. We value individuality and difference of backgrounds and ideas, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

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 https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

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 $90,000 - $115,000 for annual base salary. 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.

To apply for job ID 56234, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

Our recruiting process is a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we 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 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.

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.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC's value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we're registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we're unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.