Open Positions

Chief Strategy Officer | Clarksville, TN Headquarters, or remote in the following states: AL, AR, FL, KY, LA, NC, OK

Austin Peay State University’s Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track position as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the CSO leads the design, execution, and evaluation of strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with the organization’s long-term goals and conservation outcomes. This role requires a visionary strategist and connector, a great listener, a strong communicator, and an experienced program leader capable of translating conservation science and policy into scalable action within the growing network of SGI’s senior leadership team and its nationwide network of partners and funders. This position may be located at SGI headquarters in Clarksville, TN, or remotely in the following states: AL, AR, FL, KY, LA, NC, OK, TX.

Find more here: Chief Strategy Officer

Senior Administrative Assistant | Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University’s (APSU) Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for a full-time Senior Administrative Assistant to provide administrative and project support for our Director of Stewardship and restoration team as we embark on a large project funded by the National Park Service. This position will report directly to SGI’s Director of Stewardship.

Find more here: Senior Administrative Assistant

Restoration Technician | Clarksville, TN

With support from NFWFs America’s Ecosystem Restoration Initiative, Austin Peay State University’s Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) is leading a major regional initiative, “Last Chance Grasslands,” to stabilize and restore 2,500 acres of native grasslands in Central Tennessee. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment for conservation, and we’re looking for two full-time Restoration Technicians to join us on the front lines of this work. As a technician, you’ll be part of a dedicated restoration team working across both public and private lands to rebuild native ecosystems from the ground up. You’ll get your boots dirty restoring remnant grasslands, applying prescribed fire, collecting seeds, removing invasive species, and helping launch one of the largest grassland recovery efforts in the eastern U.S.

Find more here: Restoration Technician

Lead Restoration Technician | Clarksville, TN

With support from NFWFs America’s Ecosystem Restoration Initiative, Austin Peay State University’s Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) is leading a major regional initiative, “Last Chance Grasslands,” to stabilize and restore 2,500 acres of native grasslands in Central Tennessee. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment for conservation, and we’re looking for one full-time Lead Restoration Technician to join us on the front lines of this work. As a lead technician, you’ll be part of a dedicated restoration team working across both public and private lands to rebuild native ecosystems from the ground up. You’ll get your boots dirty restoring remnant grasslands, applying prescribed fire, collecting seeds, removing invasive species, and helping launch one of the largest grassland recovery efforts in the eastern U.S.

Find more information here: Lead Restoration Technician

Director of Community Engagement | Clarksville, TN

With support from NFWFs America’s Ecosystem Restoration Initiative, Austin Peay State University’s Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) is leading a major regional initiative, “Last Chance Grasslands,” to stabilize and restore 2,500 acres of native grasslands in Central Tennessee. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment for conservation, and we’re seeking a Director of Community Engagement to join us on the front lines of this work. As Director of Community Engagement, you’ll play a critical role in connecting SGI’s restoration work with the communities and building a lasting and impactful volunteer program geared towards empowering volunteers to take ownership of the restoration and management of our grasslands. Your leadership will help amplify the impact of our “Last Chance Grasslands” initiative and engage hundreds of volunteers and partners in one of the most ambitious restoration efforts in the region. Minimum qualifications include a B.S. degree preferably in Biology, Ecology, Botany, Wildlife, or Conservation Biology; a minimum of three (3) years of experience leading volunteer or community programs; experience in recruiting volunteers, coordinating, and executing volunteer events successfully; experience using volunteer management software (e.g., Volunteer Hub software) and the Microsoft Office Suite; demonstrate skill in writing for the general public.

Find more information here: Director of Community Engagement

Restoration Technician | Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University’s (APSU) Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for one seasonal Restoration Technician position to restore native grassland ecosystems throughout Middle Tennessee (37.5 hours/week at $20/hour for 6 months). This hands-on, field-based role involves invasive species control, seed collection, prescribed fire implementation, and other restoration activities under the oversight and training of the restoration team. SGI is especially seeking candidates with knowledge of, or strong connections to, Indigenous communities. A key part of this role is helping to reintroduce Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Indigenous land stewardship practices into our restoration work. The position will be located in Clarksville, TN (45 miles from Nashville, TN). The Restoration Technician will receive daily direction from a Lead Restoration Technician, working as an integral part of the restoration program.

Find more information here: Restoration Technician

Chief of Ecological Restoration | Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University’s Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track position as Chief of Ecological Restoration (CER). The CER will be a visionary leader responsible for directing and expanding SGI’s ecosystem restoration initiatives across the Southeast. This strategic role will oversee large-scale habitat restoration programs, build and manage partnerships, supervise numerous technical and field staff (e.g., Director of Ecological Restoration, Native Seed Program Director, and Director of Project Management), and ensure the scientific integrity and impact of restoration work. The CER will play a central role in shaping the culture of the restoration program and the future of southeastern grasslands conservation at the regional and national levels. This position is located in Clarksville, TN, and reports to SGI’s Executive Director and collaborates closely with all other SGI staff.

Find more information here: Chief of Ecological Restoration

Field Technician | Roanoke, VA

Austin Peay State University’s (APSU) Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for a Field Technician position to study and restore native grasslands on national parks across the Eastern United States as part of our Grasslands Restoration, Inventory, and Monitoring team. The Field Technician will be responsible for carrying out restoration and land management work at a diverse array of national parks across the Eastern US. There may also be some limited opportunities to assist with vegetation monitoring. The Field Technician will travel extensively throughout the year, often working alternative work schedules to reach the different project areas (up to 90% of time will be spent in the field), with overnight stays and travel expenses covered by grant funds. This position will be remotely based in the Blacksburg and/or Roanoke, Virginia areas. The Field Technician will receive daily direction from a Lead Field Technician and directly report to SGI’s Central Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator.

Find more information here: Field Technician