What We Can Achieve Together:

The Santa Cruz Island Preserve Assistant provides support for the daily operations of The Nature Conservancy’s Santa Cruz Island (SCI) Preserve. The Santa Cruz Island Preserve is a 46,000-acre natural preserve that encompasses 76% of Santa Cruz Island, the largest of Southern California’s Channel Islands. It is across the Santa Barbara Channel from the coastal cities of Santa Barbara and Ventura, and is wholly contained within the Channel Islands National Park. 

The Preserve Assistant will implement the day-to-day activities of the Preserve, with particular focus on supporting visitation by TNC supporters, scientists, staff and contractors staying at the Preserve’s Main Ranch.  

This is a 6-month seasonal position beginning between April and June. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record. The Preserve Assistant will be expected to live and work at the Preserve for 7-10 days at a time, with mainland time off in between tours. Tours may also include a day off while on the Preserve. The Preserve Assistant is an entry level position. 

The Preserve Assistant’s time will be primarily spent on general maintenance of the Main Ranch’s grounds and facilities, housekeeping of the Preserve’s overnight accommodations, and meal service support. This position requires working independently and as part of a team, sometimes in difficult physical conditions. The Preserve Assistant will also assist with visitor orientation, provide information, assist with event planning/execution, and support Preserve stewardship efforts. 

Responsibilities include:

• Guest services support including meal service, housekeeping and facilities cleaning. 
• Grounds maintenance and upkeep, including gardening and weed clearing. 
• Ability to work long hours, including weekends and holidays.  
• Ability to work extended periods both indoors and outdoors on physical tasks.      
• Residence on preserve property during work tours is required. 
• Ability to complete tasks within assigned timeframes, possibly in the absence of supervision.
• May lead small preserve work groups, including other staff or volunteers.     
• Work requires occasional physical exertion and/or muscular strain.                                                 
• Work involves several disagreeable elements and/or exposure to job hazards where there is some possibility of injury. 
• Make day-to-day decisions as delegated by supervisor; may work under limited supervision and supervisor.                        

We’re Looking for You:

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!

What You’ll Bring:

• HS Diploma and 1 year experience.                                               
• Experience organizing files.                                                   
• Experience in Customer Service and/or the hospitality industry (food service, lodging, etc.)

Desired Qualifications:

• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Experience or knowledge of natural systems.
• Experience operating power and/or construction tools in a safe manner

Salary Information:

The pay for this position is $20 per hour. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA and state of employment is California. 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.

Employees must submit their application by logging into Workday and applying via the Jobs Hub.

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.