The Western Dry Forests Program is working to transform the pace, scale, and effectiveness of forest stewardship across the western United States. The program focuses on dry, frequent‑fire forest systems where proactive restoration, strong partnerships, and sustained investment can deliver meaningful ecological and community benefits.
A core element of this work is advancing a defined set of high‑priority landscapes—places where ecological urgency, community vulnerability, and strategic opportunity align, and where targeted support can catalyze durable, landscape‑scale outcomes. These landscapes serve as platforms for collaboration, learning, and investment, helping TNC and its partners demonstrate what is possible and accelerate progress across the broader region.
The Applied Forest & Fire Strategy Manager plays a critical role in helping these landscapes succeed by supporting TNC’s state chapters (also known as Business Units (BUs)) across the West with coordination, resourcing, learning, and integration. This role does not manage on‑the‑ground restoration projects or direct implementation staff. Instead, it focuses on strengthening the systems, connections, and enabling conditions that allow BU‑led work to move faster, farther, and more consistently. Success in this role requires comfort operating in dynamic, evolving conditions—where priorities shift, roles are intentionally flexible, and progress depends on creative problem‑solving, initiative, and trust rather than formal authority. This position helps shape how the work happens as much as what work moves forward.
Working closely with BU practitioners, North America and Global programs (including North America Fire and the Fire Learning Network (FLN)), and Western Dry Forests core staff within TNC this position helps translate strategy into effective execution across the region’s priority landscapes – helping connect national expertise, network‑based partnerships, and tools with BU‑led conservation priorities.
This position works remotely to serve the entire western United States and can be located in any of the eleven states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming.
If you are energized by the challenge of helping varied teams work more effectively at landscape scale—and if you enjoy removing barriers, aligning resources, and supporting innovation across complex systems—this role may be a strong fit for you.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of strategy and practice—who is comfortable navigating uncertainty, connecting varied actors, and helping shape how complex work moves forward at scale.
This position is well suited to someone who:
Enjoys working across geographies and organizational boundaries
Brings a systems mindset to conservation challenges
Brings a relationship‑based, network‑oriented approach to complex conservation challenges
Values listening, facilitation, and co‑creation with place‑based staff and partners
Can balance strategic thinking with practical, hands‑on support
Is comfortable operating in ambiguity and shaping the edges of their role as priorities, partnerships, and opportunities evolve
Values collaboration, learning, and equity as core elements of conservation success
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE:
The Applied Forest & Fire Strategy Manager will:
Support Business Units engaged in priority dry forest landscapes by helping coordinate landscape-level conservation planning, sequencing, and cross‑partner efforts, including co-developing a shared understanding of landscape dynamics, priority needs, and feasible intervention opportunities—while leaving delivery authority with BUs.
Help identify and reduce barriers that slow implementation, including gaps in capacity, coordination, conservation planning readiness (e.g., data analysis, alignment), or resourcing.
Operate with a high degree of autonomy and adaptability, helping define approaches, clarify roles, and surface next steps in situations where pathways are not fully formed and solutions must be co‑created with partners and place‑based staff.
Contribute to the development of practical business, financial, and conservation planning-informed resourcing strategies that test new ways of working and increase the durability and scalability of conservation delivery systems over time.
Support regionally aligned funding and resourcing mechanisms—including subawards or targeted investments—that advance innovative, high‑impact approaches led by BUs and partners.
Help identify where methods or approaches developed in one landscape can inform or be adapted in other high‑priority landscapes with an eye toward replication, transferability, and scale beyond individual places.
Convene or support structured cross‑Business Unit learning activities to surface shared challenges, exchange lessons learned and transfer effective practices related to conservation planning, implementation readiness, and scaling.
Serve as a liaison between BU‑level implementation staff and North America and Global programs (e.g., North America Fire), helping align national and global tools, expertise, and capacity with BU‑identified priorities and landscape-specific conservation planning and delivery opportunities.
Collaborate with applied project support teams (e.g., stewardship, operations, monitoring, applied management) to ensure BU‑led work is supported by appropriate technical guidance and institutional pathways.
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., natural resource management, environmental studies, public administration) and at least 6 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
NWCG qualified as a Firefighter Type II (FFT2) or Prescribed Fire Crew Member (RXCM), or ability to attain qualification within the first 18 months of employment, consistent with TNC fire management requirements.
Experience supporting or coordinating complex, multi‑partner conservation initiatives.
Experience in conservation planning, including the ability to develop or co‑develop landscape‑scale assessments, identify priority intervention opportunities, and translate planning insights into actionable strategies.
Experience with business planning, financial planning, or funding alignment for conservation or natural resource programs.
Strong project coordination skills and the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
Proven relationship‑building, communication, and facilitation skills.
Experience working with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or community‑based partners.
More than 7 years of experience in landscape‑scale conservation or program implementation.
Experience working across multiple geographies or Business Units in a matrixed organization.
Experience, competency, and/or knowledge of dry forest ecosystems and the ways ecological processes, land use, policy, and community dynamics interact to shape conservation and management outcomes.
Familiarity with state and federal conservation funding programs and multi‑jurisdictional project delivery models.
Familiarity with cooperative agreements, master stewardship agreements, grants, or other contracting and subaward mechanisms.
Experience working in or alongside prescribed fire programs and fire‑adapted landscapes, demonstrating applied understanding of forest and fire management, even if not serving in an operational leadership role. NWCG qualification at FFT1, Single Resource, or comparable level is a plus but not required.
Experience supporting regional resourcing tools or pooled funding approaches.
Experience integrating equity, inclusion, and respect for Tribal sovereignty into conservation planning and implementation support.
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 the Auto Safety information page. 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 $73,000-$103,785. 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.
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.”
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.
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.
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