Easement Program Specialist – Remote

Ducks Unlimited, Inc.

3d • $65,000 - $75,000 • Remote

About The Position

Ducks Unlimited (DU) is an American nonprofit conservation organization 501(c) with a mission to conserve, restore, and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. This mission closely parallels the goals and mission of one of DU’s biggest partners, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and specifically their conservation easement programs administered through the Farm Bill. The NRCS’s Agriculture Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and the Emergency Watershed Protection Program Floodplain Easements (EWPP-FPE) restore and conserve thousands of acres of wetland and grassland habitat each year. In partnership with NRCS, DU is assisting NRCS with the delivery of conservation easement programs to increase NRCS’s capacity to meet growing funding levels. This position will be home-officed, however, will be expected to travel for team meetings and trainings held by DU and NRCS as necessary.

Requirements

• Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in wildlife, environmental science, ecology or related conservation field, preferably a graduate degree.
• Knowledge of Farm Bill programs, conservation planning, wetland restoration, title work, and proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat.
• The successful candidate must have demonstrated the ability to think strategically, manage multiple assignments with different deadlines, and adopt new approaches in response to changing circumstances.

Nice To Haves

• Working knowledge of Farm Bill conservation easement programs.
• Experience working with private landowners is preferred.
• Ability to work and develop relationships with diverse partners including federal staff, vendors, and land trusts.
• Field experience working in wetland, grassland, or other aquatic systems is preferred.
• Conservation planning and/or wetland restoration planning experience is preferred.
• The ability to review restoration plans, grassland management plans, or conservation management plans is preferred.
• Experience with reading/reviewing deeds and familiarity with title work.
• Ability to effectively plan, organize and prioritize work activities and complete tasks to meet deadlines.
• Computer literacy with a proficiency in ArcGIS, word processing, spreadsheet, and database management programs.
• Experience and proven ability to encourage collaboration among diverse project partners, with an ability to create and thrive in a team environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with proven ability to convey information clearly.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability, style, and personality to foster collaborative problem-solving and resolve or diffuse conflict.
• Ability to work independently and maintain a high level of productivity in a remote work environment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a solid understanding of NRCS’s ACEP and RCPP program policy, bulletins, and national instructions.
• Review land eligibility documentation for easement projects and assess whether proper documentation has been provided; work with NRCS State offices to address incomplete eligibility requirements.
• Review maps and/or other restoration, conservation, and grassland management plans to ensure adequate information is provided to meet program objectives.
• Review programmatic waiver documentation and assess whether waiver request meets criteria; work with NRCS State offices to address incomplete waiver requirements.
• Ensure the land eligibility criteria aligns with conservation easement deeds based on programmatic requirements and is adequately entered into the easement business tools.
• Conduct a preliminary review of Title Commitments and legal access to assist Realty Specialists.
• For Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE), ensure there is a preliminary restoration plan documented in Conservation Desktop that aligns with the enrollment purposes and individual state Wetland Restoration Criteria Guidelines (WRCGs).
• Ensure points earned in ranking documents are reflected in restoration plans and conservation easement deeds.
• Following NRCS policy standards, review easement agreement packages and quality check them to ensure each is complete and accurate.
• Prepare and send outgoing mail through appropriate mailing/shipping providers.
• Track assigned easement project from application (project start) through acquisition (project completion) following current NRCS protocols.
• Analysis of project completion timelines and proposed actions necessary to complete acquisition.
• Coordinate among other team members and participate in standing meetings as requested.

Benefits

• comprehensive group medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance, including spouse and dependent coverage
• three weeks paid vacation
• paid sick leave and 10 paid holidays
• 401(k) plan (including partial employer match)
• tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees