Director of Buffalo Restoration & Science Affairs
Department: Buffalo Restoration
Reports To: Executive Director
Location: Remote or Hybrid | Headquarters: Rapid City, South Dakota
Position Type: Full Time, Exempt, At-will
Travel: up to 50 percent, including travel to Native ranches, events, and conferences and additional 1 week per quarter in headquarters office in SD
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Buffalo Restoration Support:
Lead and coordinate efforts to return Buffalo to Native lands, providing guidance and technical support to Native Buffalo Caretakers.
Develop and implement science-based strategies for Buffalo herd management, ensuring sustainable practices that align with both cultural values and conservation goals.
Work directly with tribes and land managers to assess land suitability, herd health, and restoration practices.
Scientific Research and Affairs:
Collaborate with researchers, universities, and conservation bodies to support research initiatives that further the understanding of Buffalo ecosystems and their impact on grassland restoration and biodiversity.
Lead the development of research proposals and contribute to scientific publications relevant to Buffalo restoration.
Oversee the collection and analysis of data related to Buffalo herd health, ecological impact, and economic outcomes.
Capacity Building and Outreach:
Organize and deliver training programs, workshops, and webinars for Native Buffalo Caretakers, sharing best practices for buffalo management, land stewardship, and cultural practices.
Build partnerships with government agencies, conservation organizations, and Indigenous-led groups to support collaborative projects and funding opportunities.
Represent Tanka Fund in regional and national forums, advocating for buffalo restoration and its importance to Native economies and ecosystems.
Program Development and Reporting:
Collaborate with the Executive Director to identify new opportunities for program growth, including new partnerships, funding streams, and programmatic initiatives.
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of Tanka Fund’s programs, providing regular reports to leadership, funders, and stakeholders.
Assist in securing funding through grant writing, donor relations, and sponsorships for program expansion.
Cultural Advocacy:
Advocate for the cultural importance of Buffalo in Native communities, ensuring that buffalo returns are conducted in a manner that respects traditional knowledge and cultural practices.
Promote the connection between Buffalo restoration and Native food sovereignty, health, and economic empowerment.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Buffalo Returns and Science Affairs will be responsible for leading efforts to support our Native Buffalo Caretakers, ensuring the restoration, care, and regenerative management of buffalo herds in Native communities. The role will focus on building relationships with Native buffalo caretakers, providing science-based guidance, and advancing Tanka Fund’s mission through research, outreach, and capacity-building initiatives.
The Director will also collaborate closely with tribal partners, research institutions, conservation organizations, and the broader buffalo restoration community to enhance the health, ecological, cultural, and economic benefits of Buffalo reintroduction.
Qualifications
Required
3 to 5 years of experience in communications, community outreach, marketing, or a related field
Knowledge of and experience working within Indigenous communities; preference given to individuals of Indigenous descent
Strong written and verbal communication skills, both internal and external
Experience in community outreach, recruitment, or relationship-based roles
Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field work experience.
2+ years of experience in conservation, wildlife management, or related fields, with a preference for experience in Indigenous-led initiatives.
Proven experience working with Native communities and an understanding of the cultural significance of Buffalo in Native traditions.
Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Demonstrated experience in scientific research, data collection, and project management.
A commitment to environmental conservation, tribal food sovereignty, and Indigenous-led economic development.
Willingness to travel to tribal lands and Buffalo restoration sites as needed.
Preferred
Experience in nonprofit or mission-driven organizations
Familiarity with agriculture, conservation, or Indigenous food systems
Experience with proposal and grant identification and development
Graduate degree in business, conservation, ecology or related field
Physical Demands & Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
● Internal and public-facing environment
● Regular speaking, hearing, communication with others
● Ability to sit for extended periods (example: sitting at work desk during workday)
● Ability to handle harsh weather and terrains where ranches and bisons are situated
● Periodic driving required (example: up to 4-hour distance)
Skills & Competencies
Cultural awareness, humility, and active listening
Relationship-building and community trust development
Digital communications fluency
Campaign coordination and project management
Data analytics, and reporting to enable timely decision making
Understand the grants, fundraising, and resource development process
Leadership, team building, and conflict resolution
General non-profit government compliance requirements
Conservation & Environmental literacy
Able to manage budgets, grant compliance
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of government policy changes
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Salary range: $80,000 - $90,000 annually
Benefits:
PPO Medical Coverage
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Ten days of PTO
7 Paid Holidays
Paid two-week end-of-year company holiday
Equal Opportunity Statement
Tanka Fund is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Native American Preference
In accordance with applicable federal law, including the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. § 5307) and other relevant regulations, Tanka Fund applies an Native American Preference in employment. Qualified Native American candidates will be given preference in hiring.
How to Apply
Please send an email to jobs@tankafund.org with the subject line “INSERT JOB TITLE – [YOUR NAME].” In the email, please include the following as a single PDF attachment:
Your resume
1-page cover letter explaining your interest in Tanka Fund and the position
A separate page with short answers to the following questions:
What does Buffalo restoration mean to you and have you worked around our relatives?
How has your experience working in Indigenous communities or communities at large, informed your current work and your interest in this position?
Describe a specific instance in which you managed multiple projects with competing deadlines. What strategies or processes did you use to prioritize and stay organized, and how would you evaluate the overall success of your efforts?
What are your career goals and what drives you?
In the body of the email, please include a short introduction and include your name, current address, and phone number.
As attention to detail is critical for success in this role, only applicants who follow these specific application guidelines will be considered.
Note: Please apply to one position only. Apply by Friday, April 24th, to be considered for this role.