Job Description

Director of Buffalo Restoration & Science Affairs

Organization: Tanka Fund

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

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.

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.

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

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to:

***email_hidden***

Subject Line: Director of Buffalo Returns and Science Affairs Application - (Your Name)

For questions, contact us at (605) 519-8217 or visit

Tanka Fund | PO Box 1847, Rapid City, SD 57709 | info@tankafund.org | (605) 519-8217

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