Opportunities

  • Volunteer helps sow native seeds into tubes for planting
  • Native plants grown in the greenhouse ready to be planted into restoration sites
  • CNLM staff monitoring native plants

The Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) is an Equal Opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.

 

Job Opportunities

DIRECTOR OF SCIENCE-BASED STEWARDSHIP

We are thrilled to announce the search for the Center for Natural Lands Management’s Director of Science-Based Stewardship with Potrero Group, an executive search and strategy firm with a focus on nonprofit leadership.

The Center for Natural Lands Management seeks a Director of Science-Based Stewardship to lead its stewardship staff in sustaining and enhancing science-based conservation impact across California, Washington, and Oregon. This is a new title reflecting CNLM’s growth and commitment to further integrating science-based information and approaches to the stewardship of its expanding portfolio of preserves, which form the core of the organization’s work and mission delivery. The Director’s charge is to set strategy, provide leadership for a complex system, and determine how science-based stewardship is best integrated and implemented across the organization.

DESIRED COMPETENCIES AND EXPERIENCE

Leadership and Management

  • At least five years of experience in managing land-based natural resource conservation programs
  • Familiarity with endangered species management and monitoring–including wildlife agency regulations (California and Washington)
  • Collaborative management style with strong supervisory experience and a track record of building and supporting high-performing teams
  • Propensity to measure professional success through the success of a team or organization
  • Ability to work effectively across multiple projects simultaneously, with speed and accuracy, and at varying levels of depth
  • Experience drafting grant proposals, managing budgets, and supervising staff at multiple levels
  • Ability to parse conservation issues into their environmental, political, and financial components
  • Willingness to pitch in and fill gaps where needed, including day-to-day management support of preserve managers
  • Scientific and Technical Expertise
  • Advanced degree in a natural science discipline, or natural resources management, or equivalent hands-on science-based stewardship experience
  • Strong written communication skills and a demonstrated ability to organize complex information at a high level
  • Authorship of management plans, stewardship operations manuals, or protocols for monitoring programs, placing that information in its broader conservation context and, where appropriate, drawing on the scientific literature to inform the work; a record of peer-reviewed publication is valued but not required
  • Deep familiarity with conservation management, endangered species, sensitive habitats, and regulatory frameworks, ideally in California and/or the Pacific Northwest
  • Experience translating scientific principles into on-the-ground stewardship practices and public-facing materials
  • Familiarity with emerging relevant technologies and their application to conservation monitoring and management
  • Communication and Collaboration
  • Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with the ability to serve as a spokesperson for CNLM on science and conservation matters
  • Ability to communicate complex scientific issues clearly to lay and regulatory audiences
  • Ability to prepare professional documents across scientific, real estate, financial, and stewardship domains
  • Self-confidence in professional stature and ability to translate scientific principles into practice engaging agency staff and other scientists as peers
  • Professional standing in the scientific community through accomplishment and membership in professional associations, boards, or committees
  • Familiarity with nonprofit working conditions and CNLM’s niche within the conservation community
  • Strong work ethic, high critical thinking capacity, and a commitment to continuous improvement

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time, exempt, benefit-eligible position. $125,000–$135,000, commensurate with experience, plus approximately $6,000/year for home office/phone stipends, with the potential for inflationary and merit-based adjustments over time.

The Center for Natural Lands Management provides a generous portion of the employee’s health insurance, dental and vision plans; employer contribution to retirement plan; and offers eleven paid holidays and (initially) three weeks of vacation per year. Vacation is accrued progressively, with accrual at the rate of four weeks annually after two years and five weeks after five years of employment with CNLM.

LOCATION AND REQUIREMENTS

This position is based in California, where the majority of CNLM’s preserves and staff are located. CNLM maintains a small physical office in Temecula, CA, but operates within a virtual office structure. The Director of Science-Based Stewardship is expected to maintain a home office and must be available and willing to travel regularly to meet with staff in California and Washington, visit preserves, and attend meetings or events, including occasional evening and weekend engagements.

The Director of Science-Based Stewardship must have the ability to work effectively under pressure while meeting deadlines. Travel as required, largely but not exclusively within states where CNLM has real estate interests. Walking over uneven, steep, or vegetation-encumbered terrain to visit preserves or project locations is an anticipated condition. Must be able to navigate independently to various locations for meetings. Must be able to work efficiently and effectively within a virtual office environment and maintain working relationships with staff and others.

TO APPLY

Please visit potrerogroup.com/cnlm and select “Apply Here.” Applications should include a resume and a cover letter describing your qualifications that match the position criteria and what you will bring to the role.

Interested candidates should apply by August 14, 2026 for priority consideration.

START DATE

Fall 2026

Preserve Manager – Northern California

Location:  Northern California – Sacramento/Davis area (preserves located in Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo counties, CA
Position:  Permanent / Full-time (1.0 FTE); Exempt (Salaried)
Compensation:  $68,640 – $78,640 annually ($74,542 – $84,542 including home office and phone stipends) with benefits, including but not limited to 11 paid holidays annually; three weeks of vacation annually (progressive); sick leave; substantial employer contribution to health insurance plan; dental and vision plans; employer contribution to retirement plan
Reports to:  Regional Preserve Manager – Northern California Region

Application deadline: The position is open until filled but for fullest consideration, please apply by July 10, 2026.

For a full position description click, here.


Job Opportunities | Property Analysis Record (PAR)