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Preserve Manager
California, USA
USD 25-29 / hour
Posted on Jun 18, 2026
Preserve Manager
3.7 out of 5 stars
5656 Kekawaka Station Road, Zenia, CA 95595
Hybrid work
$25 - $29 an hour - Full-time
Job details
Pay
- $25 - $29 an hour
Job type
- Full-time
Shift and schedule
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Encouraged to apply
- Disability friendly
Benefits
Pulled from the full job description
- Tuition reimbursement
- AD&D insurance
- Parental leave
- 401(k)
- Health insurance
- Retirement plan
- 401(k) matching
Full job description
ORGANIZATION
The Wildlands Conservancy is a private nonprofit public benefit organization dedicated to preserve the beauty and biodiversity of the earth and to provide programs so that children may know the wonder and joy of nature.
THE LOCATION
Eel River Canyon Preserve, a 26,600-acre nature preserve located 26 miles North of Covelo, CA.
PRIMARY WORKSITE
Hybrid position working partially remote, and partially on-site at the Eel River Canyon Preserve. There are housing accommodations available at the Preserve for overnight or extended stays.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Preserve Manager assists the Regional Director with the overall management and internal processes needed to manage the Eel River Canyon Preserve and, secondarily, other locations within the region. Primary tasks include directing the work of staff, consultants/contractors, volunteers, and docents on the Preserve. Additionally, assists in ensuring compliance requirements are met and takes the lead on special projects as assigned by the Regional Director. Performs public contact, conservation advocacy, and outreach. Actively represents and promotes Wildland's mission and interests through involvement with visitors, residents, and community groups, governmental and business entities in the Eel River Canyon Region.
Responsible for assisting in the management of shaded fuel breaks and restoration forestry projects, riparian enhancements, and rangeland management. Plans and coordinates stewardship and habitat restoration activities.
The work involves the routine exercise of discretion and includes advising management, planning, and negotiation, including contributing to Wildlands management policies and improving general operations. Being proactive, organized, communicative, and taking personal accountability for the projects assigned are essential for the success of this position.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Must be comfortable visiting remote areas with limited direct oversight.
Active role in accomplishing staff results by communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; positive coaching, mentoring, and counseling employees; enforcing systems, policies, procedures, and productivity standards. Approves time cards, PTO requests, and staff scheduling.
Assists the Regional Director in developing scopes of work, contracts, tracking budgets, monitoring contractor/consultant work progress, and ensuring quality control of work products.
Oversight of statistical research and record-keeping, data updating and input, grant seeking, visitor correspondence, inventory completion, and project completion.
Carries out the directives of the Regional Director and delegates as necessary.
Oversees the use of Preserve by individuals and groups; ensures compliance with management policies, conservation goals, and access procedures; provides protection and security to the land and its resources.
Greets visitors, provides access and other information to the general public, ensures their safety, and enforces Preserve rules and regulations.
Creates and organizes volunteer efforts for studies, wildlife inventories, surveys, trail maintenance, and restoration efforts.
Manages, conducts, and assists with maintenance tasks, compliance, and improvements. Works with Wildlands design team to develop additional public access amenities. Performs trail building and maintenance; signage and boundary posting; building and facilities maintenance; equipment/vehicle inspection and maintenance, etc.
Assists in stewardship and habitat restoration programs; helps to identify and document rare or endangered species on the property; identifies non-native or invasive plants, prioritizes and helps with removal (may include use of herbicides).
Ensures expenditures are within budget for the Region. Approves employee expenditures including Wildlands credit and fuel accounts.
Oversees Preserve hunting program and feral pig depredation reporting.
Participates in monthly Herdshare meetings with grazing lessees and documents cattle movements and expenses.
Assists in the recruitment process, orienting and training employees, maintaining a safe, secure and legal work environment, developing personal growth opportunities.
Follows up with staff and contractors to ensure they understand directives from the Executive Director, Executive Management, and Regional Director. Follow up properly and accomplish assigned tasks on a timely basis.
Secures required state, county, and local permits (e.g., Hazardous Materials, well repairs & inspections, & other permits relevant to the Preserve).
Utilizes GIS to conduct resource assessments, impact analysis, and prepare reports/permits. Sets up studies for restoration and baseline monitoring projects per direction from the Regional Director. Collects field data with GPS unit and conducts analysis with GIS as needed. Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and other Esri platforms is highly desired.
Helps to manage natural resource enhancement projects such as riparian enhancement, forestry, and grazing.
Ensures that a regular schedule of the following occurs: cleaning of office, barn, shops, cleaning and stocking the trail restrooms on a daily basis; litter removal and trail maintenance.
Responsible for ensuring staff is up to date on all OSHA and other safety-related training. Promotes safety awareness among the staff; updates safety procedures, conducts training sessions, performs periodic inspections, and maintains necessary records in compliance with Cal/OSHA and Wildlands safety protocols.
Ensures trail safety inspections occur on a frequent basis. Assists with emergency scenarios and on-site accidents and prepares necessary written reports.
Ensures efficiency through effective resource planning, resource productivity, and allocation. Assist the Regional Director in developing comprehensive work plans, documentation, and schedules.
Periodically takes a lead role in public speaking engagements, or event attendance, representing The Wildlands Conservancy.
Demonstrates good people and communication skills, works cooperatively with others, and effectively deals with difficult behavior or confrontational situations.
Assists with monitoring and management of other Wildlands Reserves along the Eel River Canyon.
Performs other duties relating to management and land stewardship.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Two years of previous management experience.
- Bachelor’s Degree in the natural sciences: Forestry, Biology, Environmental Science, Biology, Land/ Resource Management, etc.
- Pass Live Scan criminal history background check, and pre-employment 5-panel drug screen (post-job offer); have a valid Driver's License, and ability to be insured under TWC’s auto insurance policy per the Driver Acceptability Standards.
COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT
- Effective management techniques, including effective use of leadership and decision-making.
- Knowledge of Wildlands personnel policies, applicable laws pertaining to wage and hour, and other county, state, and federal regulations.
- Excellent communication skills, and the ability to handle difficult behavior effectively and with discretion.
- Proficient in computer applications; online timekeeping system, e-mail, and Google G-suite.
- Knowledge of endangered species and habitats of Northern California.
- Grounds equipment operation and maintenance procedures.
- Water and irrigation system maintenance procedures.
- Principles of ecology, plant taxonomy, natural history, and habitat restoration.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Competently and safely operate 4X4 vehicles on extreme road conditions. Experience with manual transmission is a plus.
- Perform work outdoors in all weather conditions and a variety of altitudes.
- Hike a minimum of six miles in uneven terrain in all weather conditions.
- Perform routine walking, standing, sitting, reaching, bending, kneeling, speaking, hearing, seeing, operating a motor vehicle; perform standard office functions such as filing, typing, learning, photocopying, scanning, speaking on the radio, telephone, and in person. Lift, carry, pull, and push a minimum of 50 pounds.
DIRECT REPORT & SUBORDINATES
Will report directly to the Eel River Canyon Regional Director. Will serve as the direct report for all other staff at the Eel River Canyon.
CLASSIFICATION & SALARY
Starting pay is $25 to $27 per hour, based on experience. Non-exempt, full-time, 40 hours per week (five 8-hour shifts) with a full-time benefits package which includes an employee assistance program (EAP), medical, dental, vision, 401(k), flexible spending account, voluntary life & AD&D insurance, paid vacation, sick, bereavement, jury duty, and holiday time. The pay range for the position is $25.00 to $29.00 per hour.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT
The Wildlands Conservancy is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based on an individual’s race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship (including those who hold a drivers license granted under vehicle code 12801.9), physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. We are dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.
AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Employment with The Wildlands Conservancy is for an unspecified term and is based upon mutual consent and may be terminated at will by either party. Therefore, employment and compensation may be terminated by Wildlands or me “at-will” at any time, for any or for no reason, with or without cause or prior notice.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $25.00 - $29.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Application Question(s):
- What interests you about the position?
- Have you visited the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness area?
- What attracts you to living and working in an isolated rural setting?
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Work Location: In person