Malta, MT

Position Title: Geospatial Coordinator

Organization: Ranchers Stewardship Alliance

Location: Malta, MT

Organization Overview: The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, Ranchers Stewardship Alliance works to strengthen their rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

Position Overview: The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and detail-oriented Geospatial Coordinator to join their team. In this role, you will support RSA’s mission by producing geospatial information products to help ranchers prioritize environmental conservation and help them manage these partnerships. The Geospatial Coordinator role will lead the production of maps (digital and print) and reports, ranch management database development, and spatial analyses for a variety of ranch management and conservation projects in their portfolio. The ideal candidate will have a passion for environmental conservation and land stewardship combined with a strong background in geospatial technology and environmental monitoring. The Geospatial Coordinator will have a direct opportunity to make a difference in the northern Montana ranching community and to protect and enhance environmental quality in the region.

This position is fully funded with US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service support for 5 years with the potential to continue based on funding availability. The incumbent will be an employee of Ranchers Stewardship Alliance. Daily and weekly oversight, guidance, mentoring, and assistance with project prioritization provided by RSA.

Duties: 

Mapping and Inventory

• Utilize geospatial software and tools to create accurate and detailed maps for RSA
• Conduct field surveys and assessments to gather data on land cover, vegetation, wildlife habitats, and other environmental
• Maintain a database of natural resources, including species, habitats, and ecological features of ranching
• Develop and implement monitoring protocols to assess the effectiveness of conservation practices and
• Safely and professionally conduct field monitoring
• Maintain a comprehensive database of monitoring
• Organize and manage geospatial and monitoring data, ensuring data integrity and

• Generate reports and prepare presentations summarizing project findings and

GIS Analysis

• Collect, organize, and analyze geospatial data using GIS software to support conservation planning, ranch management, and decision-making.
• Create GIS-based maps and visualizations and report methods and results in writing and verbally to
• Identify spatial patterns and trends related to conservation goals and

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate with team members to contribute to grant proposals and project
• Work closely with the Conservation Committee and other RSA staff members to align mapping and monitoring activities with conservation objectives as part of the Montana Grassland
• Collaborate and partner with local NRCS field offices to support Targeted Implementation Plans (TIPs) and other Montana Focused Conservation objectives as part of local collaborative conservation efforts.
• Collaborate with other external partners, landowners, and agencies to gather data and share
• Participate in team meetings, workshops, and training sessions to enhance knowledge and

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in geography, environmental science, natural resource management, or a related field. Any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills and
• Proficiency in Esri suite of GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online) and other geospatial
• Familiarity with remote sensing and GPS
• Familiarity with data collection protocols, surveying techniques, and monitoring
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate
• Excellent organizational and time management
• Effective communication and interpersonal
• Ability to work independently and collaborate within a team
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel across Blaine, Phillips, and Valley

Preferred Qualifications:

• Not required, but they encourage those with a master’s degree in geography, environmental science, natural resource management, or a related field to apply.
• Experience working in ranching or agricultural
• Knowledge of wildlife, range or landscape ecology, and other facets of ecological science utilized in strategic habitat and landscape conservation.
• Understanding of conservation practices and land stewardship
• Ability to access API data sources using R/Python and / or Google Earth Engine

Start Date: January 2024

Salary/Pay: $46,000 – $50,000 annually (DOE) + benefits package

Application Deadline: December 15, 2023

How to Apply: Please use the online application to view the full job description as well as how to apply.