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 myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Niobrara Valley Program Manager oversees activities at NVP, including land stewardship, outreach, research and evaluation, conservation planning, and facilities operations.  They hire and supervise staff and are responsible for maintaining strong team cohesion and a strategic conservation focus.  The Program Manager also builds partnerships with landowners, community members, and a variety of organizations around the state in support of NVP’s conservation goals.  The Program Manager is responsible for assembling and managing annual budgets for NVP.  Working with others, they manage grant funds from both private and public sources. They also write and supervise contracts for NVP-based projects related to livestock infrastructure, tree clearing, invasive species control, building construction and maintenance, and more.This position will require travel and work select evenings and/or weekends, as needed. The Program Manager may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.The location for this position is in a rural part of north-central Nebraska near the towns of Valentine and Ainsworth, along the northern edge of the Nebraska Sandhills.

We’re Looking for You:

If you’re looking for a career where you can find meaning and purpose, come join our Chapter as the Niobrara Valley Program Manager! Not only will you fulfil conservation objectives in the beautiful state of Nebraska, but you’ll contribute to conservation goals through many networks!  Come join TNC and apply today!

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in natural resource management or related field.
• Experience negotiating complex agreements
• Supervisory experience
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
• Experience in training and team-building
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.

What We Bring:

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!

Additional Job Information:

The Niobrara Valley Preserve (NVP) encompasses approximately 56,000 acres along a 25-mile stretch of the Niobrara River in north-central Nebraska. This portion of the Niobrara River is designated as a Wild and Scenic River.  Ecosystems on the Preserve include Sandhills and Dakota mixed-grass prairie, tallgrass prairie, bur oak savanna, ponderosa pine savanna, deciduous woodland, and others. Those are managed with a combination of prescribed fire, grazing by two resident bison herds (1000+ animals), cattle grazing through lease arrangements, and various invasive species control efforts.

Staff at the Niobrara Valley Preserve work to promote biological diversity, mitigate climate change and influence land stewardship around Nebraska and beyond.  We look for creative and innovative approaches to reach those goals and to translate lessons learned to a broad variety of audiences.

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $60,000 to $75,000 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.