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Conservation Land Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

ADP, Inc.

Conservation Associate Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$74.50/hr

Conservation Associate Manager Salary Range: $26.00 To $30.00 Hourly TreePeople is an environmental ... Working knowledge of land management skills including the use of tools used in site preparation ...

New

Nsw Corp

Regional Conservation Officer - BCT

Orange, CA · Hybrid

$112K - $124K/yr

... private land conservation focussed programs. About the role As a Regional Conservation Officer ... BCT program delivery, managing projects and partnerships as well as stakeholder engagement ...

Audubon

Conservation Ranching (ACR) Intern

Sacramento, CA · Hybrid

$23.68/hr

Bird conservation on private land * Rangeland management * Regenerative agriculture Qualifications and Experience * Completion of college-level coursework in communications, agriculture, conservation ...

LANDVEST INC

$75K - $200K/yr

... conservation, or institutional ownership. * Working knowledge of California land markets, water considerations, and rural land management practices. * Experience with GIS or mapping tools and the ...

LANDVEST INC

$75K - $200K/yr

... conservation, or institutional ownership. * Working knowledge of California land markets, water considerations, and rural land management practices. * Experience with GIS or mapping tools and the ...

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All JobsConservation Land JobsConservation Land Manager JobsConservation Land Manager Jobs in California

Conservation Land Manager information

See California salary details

$33.1K

$104.2K

$181.6K

How much do conservation land manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for conservation land manager in California is $104,202.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,500.00 and $126,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a conservation land manager do?

A Conservation Land Manager is responsible for overseeing the protection, maintenance, and restoration of natural lands and habitats. They develop and implement land management plans, monitor ecosystems, manage invasive species, and work to enhance biodiversity. These professionals often collaborate with government agencies, conservation organizations, and the public to ensure sustainable land use and long-term preservation of natural resources.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a conservation land manager?

To thrive as a Conservation Land Manager, you need expertise in ecology, land management, and environmental science, typically supported by a relevant degree and field experience. Familiarity with GIS software, land monitoring tools, and regulatory compliance certifications is often required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help coordinate teams and engage stakeholders effectively. These skills are crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems, ensuring regulatory compliance, and achieving long-term conservation goals.

What are some common challenges conservation land managers face when balancing ecological goals with public access needs?

Conservation Land Managers often need to strike a careful balance between protecting sensitive habitats and providing safe, enjoyable access for the public. This can involve managing trail networks to minimize environmental impact, educating visitors on responsible recreation, and coordinating with stakeholders such as local government and community groups. Adapting management plans to address invasive species, climate change, and changing visitor patterns are also common challenges. Collaborative problem-solving and adaptive management strategies are key to success in this dynamic role.

What is the difference between Conservation Land Manager vs Wildlife Technician?

AspectConservation Land ManagerWildlife Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in environmental science, ecology, or related field; certifications like GIS or habitat managementAssociate's or bachelor's degree in wildlife management, biology, or related field; often requires state-specific wildlife permits
Work EnvironmentFieldwork managing protected lands, collaborating with agencies, overseeing conservation projectsFieldwork monitoring wildlife, collecting data, assisting with habitat surveys
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, land trusts, conservation organizationsWildlife agencies, research institutions, environmental NGOs

While both roles focus on conservation, Conservation Land Managers oversee land use and habitat preservation, whereas Wildlife Technicians primarily assist with wildlife monitoring and data collection. The roles often collaborate but differ in scope and responsibilities.

Is land management a good career?

A conservation land manager oversees the preservation and sustainable use of natural areas, often requiring knowledge of ecology, environmental policies, and land management tools. It can be a rewarding career for those interested in environmental protection, with opportunities for fieldwork, collaboration, and certification in related areas. Job stability and growth depend on government and private sector funding and environmental priorities.

What are popular job titles related to Conservation Land Manager jobs in California?

For Conservation Land Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Conservation Land Manager jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Conservation Land Manager jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Conservation Land Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Conservation Land Manager job openings:

Conservation Land Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Conservation Land Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 5% Temporary. Highlights an 80% In-person, 5% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,202 per year, or $50.1 per hour.

Stewardship Technician II

Sonoma Land Trust

Santa Rosa, CA • On-site

$32/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Assist with preserve management plans, including infrastructure maintenance, wildfire readiness, and resource protection.

  • Lead and coordinate contractors, volunteers, and interns in stewardship activities and monitor preserve conditions.

  • Coordinate conservation easement monitoring visits, review reports for violations, and ensure legal requirements are met.

Job description

Job Title: Stewardship Technician II
Reports to: Stewardship Program Manager
Want to play your part in protecting our local communities from the impacts of climate change? Ready to roll up your sleeves to help achieve tangible results? Ready to begin a career in conservation? Want to be part of a talented, deeply committed, and national award-winning conservation organization? Then please read on!
Overview
Sonoma Land Trust (SLT) is looking for a Stewardship Technician II who is interested in gaining a wide range of stewardship experience in anticipation of a land conservation career. This position will spend approximately 75% of time in the field.
Stewardship Technician II works with Stewardship colleagues to implement preserve management, infrastructure maintenance, wildfire resilience, restoration, and a broad range of natural resource management across SLT properties. This position operates with some independence, exercises sound field judgment, and helps lead contractors, volunteers, and interns in carrying out high-quality stewardship work. SLT serves a diverse audience with broad cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, and orientations. We encourage applications from candidates who reflect and value the audiences and populations we serve.
You are encouraged to apply if you:
  • Have relevant work experience, coursework, and training in conservation land management, agricultural land management, project management, natural resource management, or a related field.
  • Have familiarity with infrastructure assessment, maintenance, and repair.
  • Have experience assessing property infrastructure, wildfire readiness, defensible space, and vegetation management needs.
  • Have strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to document field conditions, coordinate with colleagues and partners, and professionally represent SLT.
  • Experienced using common hand tools, power tools, UTVs, including trailer towing and backing.
  • Are innately curious about natural processes and conservation land stewardship.

Primary Responsibilities
Preserve Management
  • Assist with all aspects of SLT preserve management plans, including infrastructure maintenance, wildfire readiness, natural and cultural resource protection and enhancement.
  • Lead and provide direction to contractors, consultants, and volunteers.
  • Inspect and monitor preserves and properties to assess conditions, including roads, gates, grazing infrastructure, natural resource conditions and buildings.
  • Conduct facilities maintenance such as building repair, debris removal, and road clearing.
  • Assist with the Living with Fire Program including pile burning, prescribed fire burn unit prep and participating in prescribed burns throughout the county.
  • Implement wildfire protection plans including maintaining defensible space, building hardening and vegetation management projects across the preserve system.
  • Lead Stewardship volunteer workdays, including planning, training, and recordkeeping, and assisting the Community Engagement Department when requested.
  • Coordinate and assist the collection, management, and analysis of resource monitoring data and reporting.
  • Develop and maintain good working relationships with tenants, contractors, grazing lessees, neighbors, vendors, partner organizations, and the community at large.
  • Execute annual fee lands monitoring visits and reports according to program standards.

Conservation Easement Program
  • Coordinate conservation easement monitoring visits with Conservation Easement Program Manager and Stewardship Program Manager; take detailed field notes; utilize most recent data collection tools using tablets and phones; and complete monitoring reports according to program standards.
  • Work closely with conservation easement landowners to plan and schedule the annual monitoring visit.
  • Review monitoring reports for potential easement violations and work with Conservation Easement Program Manager to determine appropriate solutions.
  • Ensure that conservation easements and other legal requirements are adhered to on SLT preserves.
  • Maintain all documentation per Land Trust Alliance and SLT policy standards.

Administrative and Project Support
  • Work with Stewardship Program Manager and Stewardship colleagues to develop annual work plans for assigned projects. Maintain appropriate records, review project budget reports, and stay within budget.
  • Maintain accurate records and documentation, both paper and digital, for assigned projects and preserves in accordance with our recordkeeping practices required by LTA accreditation.

Community, Communications, and Philanthropy Support
  • Assist, as needed, with public recreational and educational activities in collaboration with Philanthropy, Community Engagement and Education teams.
  • Work with the Marketing and Communications team to develop communications around current and ongoing Stewardship projects.
  • Support donor and member engagement activities in coordination with Philanthropy, Community Engagement, and Marketing and Communications teams.

Other Duties
  • Responsible for regular maintenance and cleanliness of SLT vehicles.
  • Keep trails, roads, and parking areas open using a string trimmer and/or chainsaw.
  • Conduct monitoring activities related to vegetation, wildlife cameras, invasive plants, and other stewardship priorities.
  • Regular property visits and upkeep.
  • Provide assistance as issues and incidents occur.
  • Participation in professional development and training opportunities relevant to job duties.
  • Participate in staff meetings, strategic planning, Stewardship team meetings, and similar SLT activities.

Essential Qualifications
  • Relevant work experience, coursework, and training in conservation land management, agricultural land management, project management, natural resource management, or a related field.
  • Familiarity with infrastructure assessment, maintenance, and repair, including buildings, ranch roads, fencing, and water systems.
  • Experience assessing property infrastructure, wildfire readiness, defensible space, and vegetation management.
  • Experience implementing natural resource and wildlife habitat management activities.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to document field conditions, coordinate with colleagues and partners, and represent SLT professionally.
  • Experience using common hand tools, power tools, UTVs, and trailers, including trailer towing and backing.
  • Ability to work occasional weekends or after business hours.
  • Prolonged walking, hiking, and standing; light to heavy transporting and lifting; pulling; pushing; stooping; reaching; manual dexterity; visual and hearing acuity, with or without correction.
  • Valid driver's license is required and is insurable under SLT's vehicle insurance policy.

Preferred Skills and Experience
SLT welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds, experience, and transferrable skills. The following qualifications are preferred and may be developed after hire where appropriate:
  • Innate curiosity about natural processes and how infrastructure is affected by them.
  • Experience and certification in the safe use of chainsaws, or willingness to obtain certification as needed for assigned duties.
  • Wildland Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2) qualification or willingness to obtain within the first year of employment.
  • Experienced in safely operating off road vehicles such as UTVs and tractors.
  • ESRI ArcPro and GPS field data collection skills or willingness to learn within the first year of employment.
  • Current CPR, First Aid, and/or Wilderness First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain certification within the first year of employment.
  • Verbal and written Spanish language ability.

Schedule, Salary & Benefits
This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, non-exempt status (overtime eligible).
Hourly rate starting at $32.00 per hour, commensurate with experience. This position is located at the Sonoma Land Trust office in Santa Rosa, California. Staff are working in a hybrid model; however, for this position, there will be required field work.
Sonoma Land Trust's benefits include:
  • Paid time off including paid vacation based on tenure, 15 paid holidays, and paid sick and family leave
  • 100% of employee premiums for medical, dental, and vision, and 75% of dependent premiums
  • 5% employer contribution to retirement plan after one year of employment
  • Employee life and disability insurance
  • Pre-tax dependent care coverage plans for dependent or elder care
  • An employee assistance program for mental health, coaching, and financial or legal services
  • A lifestyle account annual stipend for wellness or gear purchases

About Sonoma Land Trust
Sonoma Land Trust works in alliance with nature to conserve and restore the integrity of the land, with a focus on climate resiliency. The organization is also committed to ensuring more equitable access to the outdoors. Since 1976, the non-profit Land Trust has protected over 56,000 acres of scenic, natural, agricultural, and open land for future generations. Sonoma Land Trust is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission and was the recipient of the 2019 Land Trust Alliance Award of Excellence. For more information, please visit the Sonoma Land Trust website.
We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment that is representative of the communities we serve. We know that having varied perspectives leads to better outcomes to solve the complex problems of conservation, climate change and environmental justice in Sonoma County. And to best serve the people of our community, we are taking the actions outlined in our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Plan.
To Apply
Please submit a resume and cover letter through BambooHR. In your cover letter, please describe why you're applying for this position. The deadline to apply is September 25, 2026. If you have any issues or questions about the application or to request an accommodation, please email: staffing@sonomalandtrust.org.
Sonoma Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We strive to create a diverse and inclusive organization and encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, national or regional origins, sexes, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, gender identities, military or veteran status or other status protected by law.

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