Sunny Valley Preserve Director

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Sunny Valley Preserve Director leads the stewardship operations and public use of TNCs Sunny Valley Preserve ensuring the land infrastructure and visitor experience are managed safely and effectively advancing TNCs conservation goals and aligning with Land Trust Alliance Standards. This role is responsible for the daytoday and longterm care of a complex 1850acre landscape of natural and working agricultural lands and for translating conservation intent into ontheground management.

Were Looking for You:

The Sunny Valley Preserve Director is based at Sunny Valley Preserve in Bridgewater and New Milford CT and oversees stewardship of an 1850-acre portfolio of natural and working agricultural lands. The role leads land management agricultural operations infrastructure maintenance and public access with the goals of ecological resilience regenerative practices and meaningful visitor engagement.

The Director oversees a wide range of land and property management activities including a large inventory of buildings trails and agricultural facilities; manages legal safety and reputational risk; and responds to complex or highrisk situations as they arise.

The role builds and maintains productive relationships with partners neighbors agencies and community members and communicates regularly with varied audiences about preserve management and priorities.

The position reports to the Director of Land Management and collaborates closely to define strategies for the Preserve. This position requires residence in close proximity to Sunny Valley Preserve to manage emergencies. TNC housing is available on site.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

Responsible for stewardship and operations at a complex preserve that comprises multiple parcels and a large inventory of infrastructure with work that requires coordination across boundaries and close collaboration with partners agencies lessees and internal teams.

Land Stewardship and Natural Resource Management

• Lead and oversee comprehensive land stewardship activities across natural and agricultural systems to support conservation outcomes ecological resilience and safe public access.

• Apply ecological knowledge field experience and legal understanding to guide land management decisions including interpretation of deeds easements and restrictions; habitat restoration; invasive species management; and oversight of tools equipment and vehicles required for safe operations.

• Oversee advanced aspects of land management including permitting insurance coordination and flood erosion and climaterelated risk management.

Agricultural Operations

• Oversee agricultural operations at Sunny Valley including dairy management soil health forage crops produce cultivation and agricultural certifications. Guide both established and emerging agricultural practices ensuring operations support conservation goals regenerative outcomes adaptive learning and risk management requirements.

Buildings and Infrastructure

• Oversee the maintenance repair and improvement of preserve infrastructure including buildings an office utilities trails bridges fencing and signage. Manage contractors and vendors ensure compliance with safety and building standards and support longterm care of physical assets.

Operations Systems and Administration

• Establish and maintain effective operational systems to support preserve management including scheduling procurement contracts leases and budget oversight. Ensure resources are used efficiently while maintaining high standards of performance and safety.

Community Engagement Partnerships and Communication

• Build and maintain strong relationships with community members neighbors partners agencies and stakeholders. Engage the public through site visits meetings presentations and informal communication and represent TNC professionally in local and regional forums.

• Lead and steward a legally obligated preserve advisory board.

Risk Management and Complex Situations

• Manage complex highrisk and sensitive situations involving legal issues tenants recreation hunting agriculture public safety and natural emergencies. Exercise sound judgment and make independent decisions based on experience analysis and context.

Supervision and Safety

• Hire supervise and support staff contractors and volunteers engaged in field work construction and visitor services. Ensure safe working conditions and adherence to safety protocols across all preserve operations.

What Youll Bring:

• BA/BS degree and a minimum of 5 years of experience in conservation practice land stewardship or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience managing complex or multiple projects including coordinating staff contractors timelines and budgets under changing conditions and deadlines.

• Supervisory experience including hiring motivating and leading staff; setting clear expectations and managing performance and safety.

• Experience working with external partners such as non-profit organizations community groups landowners and/or government agencies.

• Experience navigating and negotiating complex or sensitive situations including with tenants partners regulators or the public.

Desired Qualifications:

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated. Experience working across cultures or communities; multilingual skills are a plus.

• Additional experience (5-7 years) in conservation land stewardship agriculture or a related field.

• Experience contributing to or implementing conservation plans or management plans. Knowledge of current land management agricultural or ecological practices relevant to the region.

• Familiarity with conservation data monitoring approaches or stewardship standards.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and verbally with a wide range of audiences including staff partners and the public.

• Experience supporting fundraising or donor engagement through site-based work storytelling or partner relationships.

• Comfort navigating complex stakeholder environments with sound judgment and diplomacy.

• Experience using and maintaining commonly used land management equipment tools and vehicles.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $81000-$88000. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidates actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors including for example the candidates 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.

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancys 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 worlds toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. Were rooted in our mission and guided by our values which include respect for all people communities and cultures. Whether its career development flexible schedules or a rewarding mission theres 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 addition to the requirements in our job postings we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicants unique experience. Please apply wed love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC youll 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.

Were 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 Conservancys 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 with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.