Sageland Collaborative

Sageland Collaborative’s mission is to provide science-based strategies for wildlife and land conservation. We focus on increasing biodiversity and populations of special-status species; conserving wildlife pathways; and restoring habitat. We work toward these goals by bringing science into on-the-ground action, fostering collaborations, and working with the entire community.

The Sageland Collaborative team consists of dedicated and skilled scientists, project managers, and communications specialists. Visit our website to learn more about our programs: https://sagelandcollaborative.org/

Position Description

The Uinta Basin Rare Plant Coordinator role will work in Sageland Collaborative’s Salt Lake City office and in close partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Coordinator will work with the Uinta Basin hookless cactus (Sclerocactus wetlandicus) and Pariette cactus (S. brevispinus) Recovery Implementation Team to:

• Facilitate Recovery Implementation Team Meetings
  • Facilitate Recovery Implementation Team meetings with partners, including creating agendas, recruiting attendance, and facilitating discussions
  • Participate in stakeholder meetings, including regular travel for coordination with partner land management entities
  • Convene and lead coordination efforts with multiple stakeholders to align recovery actions and team priorities
  • Maintain centralized documentation of meetings (e.g., meeting notes, agendas, action items) and supporting materials for the Recovery Implementation Team
  • Follow up with Recovery Implementation Team to accomplish action items identified in meetings and the Recovery Plan
  • Facilitate in-person conversations with partners and private landowners to work toward recovery goals

• Implement the Recovery Implementation Strategy for Pariette cactus (Sclerocactus brevispinus) and Uinta Basin hookless cactus (Sclerocactus wetlandicus)
  • Ensure that Recovery Implementation Team‘s deliverables align with Recovery Implementation Strategy goals
  • Work closely with Recovery Implementation Team to translate the Recovery Implementation Strategy implementation schedule into annual work plans and multi‑year budgets

• Design and Plan On-The-Ground Recovery Activities and Projects
  • Pursue funding (e.g., grants, agreements, contracts) to support recovery actions
  • Work with Recovery Implementation Team to plan logistics for fieldwork (e.g., partner coordination, seasonal windows, access, equipment) for monitoring, surveys, restoration, and other recovery activities; coordinate contractors and volunteer crews as needed
  • Participate in one to two weeks of field monitoring activities each year
  • Work closely with Recovery Implementation Team and partner land management entities to facilitate grazing operations and projects that will help achieve recovery criteria

• Reporting and Outreach
  • Maintain centralized documentation (e.g., work plans, meeting notes)
  • Produce an annual report that summarizes Recovery Implementation Team activities and accomplishments
  • Produce other periodic reports summarizing progress toward recovery criteria
  • Develop concise outreach materials summarizing recovery actions, monitoring outcomes, and how conservation measures will be applied across land ownerships for consistency
  • Provide regular briefings to Recovery Implementation Team and partners, leadership, and local stakeholders
  • Communicate restoration goals and activities to build community support and reduce conflicts
  • Travel to the Uinta Basin one to two times per month for in-person meetings

• Community Science (10% of position)
  • In partnership with Utah Department of Natural Resources, develop and supervise three volunteer events per year to plant pollinator-friendly plants at restoration sites in northern Utah. Ensure adherence to proper safety protocols and track volunteer participation.
  • Generate community participation in the Utah Pollinator Pursuit program through iNaturalist. Plan and host a virtual training for volunteers once a year. Work with communications staff to create content for e-newsletters seven times per year.

Position Type: Full-time, year-round. Position is currently funded and contracted for two years. It is anticipated funding for the position will continue beyond two years.

Location: It is preferred that the position is based in Sageland Collaborative’s Salt Lake City, Utah office. We will consider accommodating remote work locations for the right candidate in the role. This position requires overnight travel to the Uinta Basin one to two times per month for in-person meetings and participating in one to two weeks of field monitoring in the Uinta Basin each year.

Required Qualifications and Qualities: We welcome candidates who may come from less traditional backgrounds. Please think about the breadth of your experiences when considering the following list of qualifications. In your cover letter and resume, please highlight your experience and abilities related to these required qualifications and qualities.

• Passion for Sageland Collaborative’s mission and species recovery
• Experience facilitating meetings, working groups, and/or advisory groups
• Demonstrated knowledge of natural resources issues and user groups within the West
• Ability to apply practices of collaboration and conflict resolution to land use and natural resources issues
• Ability to find common values and build long-term relationships with diverse partners
• Demonstrated project management skills including tracking schedules and adhering to budgets
• Ability to be self-directed and detail oriented
• Excellent in-person and written communication skills with varied communities including private landowners, agricultural producers, and Native Nations
• Demonstrate excellent listening skills and effective negotiation skills
• Ability to travel to project sites outdoors once or twice a month, plus one to two weeks of field monitoring activities each year
• Current driver’s license and ability to hike in remote field settings
• Ability to adhere to and contribute to a culture of workplace safety
• Degree or equivalent experience in natural resources or land management fields (e.g., wildlife ecology, restoration, rangeland management, agriculture, conflict resolution, natural resource planning)

Other Skills of Interest:

• Familiarity with Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Recovery Plans, and federal and state wildlife conservation regulations
• Grant writing