Rio Grande Joint Venture (RGJV) Conservation Delivery Specialist

American Bird Conservancy
American Bird Conservancy

United States · Utah, USA

Posted on Aug 26, 2026
Job Type
Full-time
Description

Title: Rio Grande Joint Venture (RGJV) Conservation Delivery Specialist

Supervisor: Rio Grande Joint Venture Conservation Delivery Coordinator

Location: Alpine, Texas

Salary: Estimated at $63,000 - $70,000*; Based on experience

Term of Position: This is a limited-term position supported by external funding commitments. Funding will be formally reviewed at six (6) months to assess sustainability and continuation. While ABC intends to pursue ongoing funding and envisions this role as potentially long-term, continued employment beyond the stated term is contingent upon the availability of grant funding and partner support.

The position may include collaboration with the Development team to support fundraising and long-term sustainability efforts.

Application Deadline: September 11, 2026

Position Summary:

This is a limited term position with American Bird Conservancy (ABC). American Bird Conservancy is a fast-growing, results-focused nonprofit seeking employees with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to make a difference for birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. Inspired by the wonder of birds, ABC achieves lasting results for the bird species most in need while also benefiting human communities, biodiversity, and the planet’s fragile climate.

This position will foster the mutual conservation objectives of the RGJV, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife and other partners (see RGJV board) by enhancing wildlife habitat in streams and uplands of the Chihuahuan Desert. This position contributes to the goals and objectives of the Texas Conservation Action Plan, the National Fish Conservation Area in the Chihuahuan Desert, and national and international bird conservation plans by working closely with RGJV, American Bird Conservancy (ABC), and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff and other partner organizations to provide technical and financial assistance related to habitat enhancement and restoration.

Primary Duties:

  • Conduct outreach to landowners and partners and advise/recommend/support restoration and/or habitat management and improvement projects;
  • Write conservation implementation plans including mapping, site assessments, and project details;
  • Establish, improve, and maintain grassland habitats and riparian zones;
  • Collect monitoring data for grassland and stream restoration projects;
  • Implement low-tech, process-based stream restoration plans on cooperating private land as well as public lands that includes but is not limited to siting and laying out in stream structures, and supervising the construction of in-stream structures;
  • Present papers, findings, research, and habitat conservation outcomes to peers, general public, and conservation groups;
  • Operate appropriate heavy equipment (work truck, trailer, UTV, etc.) in support of the implementation of stream restoration or wildlife habitat restoration and management plans;
  • Lend technical assistance to partners with respect to stream restoration techniques and construction upon request;
  • Coordinate and aid in preparation of appropriate permits for stream restoration and habitat management activities;
  • Candidates will often work outdoors, in relatively difficult weather conditions
  • o Job will require wading in streams, walking on uneven terrain, manual labor, working in close proximity of large heavy equipment, and travel/time away from home up to 25% of the time.
  • o Driving to sites may require maneuvering over steep, uneven terrain along rivers and streams;
  • Manual labor often required, including lifting supplies and materials up to 40 lbs.;
  • Working with and around light and heavy equipment or machinery;
  • o Experience or ability to operate excavators, track trucks, dump trucks, skid steers, and farm tractors;
  • o Experience or ability to operate power hand tools such as gasoline powered chain saws, drills, chainsaws, cutoff saws, etc.

Benefits:

American Bird Conservancy fosters a mission-driven, collaborative, and supportive workplace where staff are respected, empowered, and connected by a shared purpose. ABC offers strong benefits, a 35-hour work week, generous leave policies, and flexible, remote-friendly work arrangements that support a healthy work-life balance.

  • Excellent benefits package includes medical, dental, flexible spending accounts, and employer-matched retirement savings, flexible schedule, etc.
  • Paid vacation days (starting at 15 days annually and increasing to 20 days after 1 year of employment), paid holidays (including both US holidays and additional ABC holidays) and sick leave.
  • Lodging, meals, and transportation covered for work-related travel away from home where applicable.
  • Rental vehicle or personal mileage reimbursement where applicable.

To Apply:

Please apply online at Paylocity.

If you have any difficulties uploading your resume and cover letter, then please send them as ONE document to HR@abcbirds.org

* American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is committed to promoting fairness and equity in all partnerships. We collaborate with external partners to advocate for competitive and equitable funding rates in future agreements.

At American Bird Conservancy, we believe that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills makes us more effective. We are committed to creating a respectful and inclusive work environment for all of our employees.

As an equal opportunity employer, ABC is committed to ensuring that employees and applicants for employment have equal opportunities regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other factor unrelated to the requirements of the position.

Requirements
  1. Master's degree, preferably in biology, hydrology, environmental engineering, geology, environmental science, range science, or closely related field in natural resources management, or bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience.
  2. A fundamental knowledge of water, environmental, agriculture and/or natural resource science.
  3. Excellent computer skills and ability to use databases and specialized software.
  4. Ability to communicate and interact effectively and professionally with private landowners, land managers, advisory boards, universities, consultants, governmental and nongovernmental organizations and the general public.
  5. Knowledge of grassland and/or riparian ecology and research issues.
  6. Ability to design and write habitat management plans.
  7. Skill in reviewing, analyzing, and presenting technical data and documents.
  8. Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare written correspondence.
  9. Ability to provide site investigations, sampling and analysis to inform restoration plans.
  10. Ability to work independently with little or no supervision.
  11. Some experience with on-the-ground conservation planning and implementation preferred.
  12. Experience in one or more of the following areas: hydrology, environmental engineering, ecosystem restoration or environmental planning in private, government, or academic arenas.
  13. Desire to improve habitat conditions and overall health and wellbeing of the environment.
  14. Applicant must possess a valid State driver's license.
  15. All remote and hybrid employees are required to have a stable and high-speed internet service provider in place prior to beginning work for ABC. Our distributed work force relies heavily on cloud technologies, Zoom, and other automations to successfully complete our day to day work. The ideal speeds are 30-40 Mbps for downloads and 10-15 Mbps for uploads.
  16. You may be required to use your personal cell phone to access ABC systems remotely.
  17. Authorized to work in the US or Permanent Resident
  18. Occasional air and car travel may be required with this position; Employees are expected to use air travel for distances over 350 miles.
  19. Background screening required
Salary Description
Estimated at $70,000*; Based on experience
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