Easement Program Specialist – Remote (WA)

Easement Program Specialist – Remote Work (WA)

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. DU is assisting NRCS with the outreach and delivery of conservation easement programs to increase NRCS’s capacity to meet growing funding levels. 

We are hiring two (2) positions. Depending on candidate location, these will be either office or remote-based positions.  However, travel will be required in both positions, for work on project sites, team meetings, and trainings held by DU and NRCS. There will be one position based in Eastern WA, location TBD but requiring frequent travel to Spokane, WA for coordination with existing DU and NRCS staff; and one position will be in Western WA, location TBD, but requiring travel to the NRCS Olympia office, and the DU Vancouver Field Office, to coordinate with local staff. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Easement Program Specialist will spend 75% of their time supporting NRCS Wetlands Reserve Easements Program (WRE) in Washington, and 25% to support other DU conservation projects. 

Support to NRCS’ Washington easement team includes assisting with the outreach and application to easement projects in Washington State by working with the NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, and the local DU team leader. This position will be responsible for helping to advertise to new landowners, to determine preliminary eligibility, and ensuring that WRE program applications have all required documents completed. Job duties include but are not limited to: 

• Maintain a solid understanding of NRCS’s Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) program policy, bulletins, and instructions.
• Perform outreach activities to educate landowners about the program, and site visits to determine preliminary eligibility.  
• Assist applicants in completing the WRE application workbook. 
• Review maps and/or other restoration, conservation, and management plans to ensure adequate information is provided to meet program objectives, follows NRCS guidelines, and is entered in the NRCS computer systems. 
• Following NRCS policy standards, review easement agreement packages and quality check them to ensure each is complete and accurate.
• Coordinate among other team members and participate in site visits, technical reviews, and meetings as requested.  
• Obtain and maintain LincPass (Federally issued identification credential which will allow you to access both USDA facilities and information systems).
• Become proficient in NRCS data management tools such as Conservation Desktop (CD) and the National Easement Staging Tool (NEST).

Support to DU staff will be towards delivering and promoting DU’s on-the-ground conservation programs in their respective geographies. The positions will become part of a team of biologists, engineers, and support staff responsible for implementing DU’s mission of protecting, enhancing, and restoring wetlands and associated habitats. Job duties include but are not limited to:

• Landowner outreach and involvement in or coordination of DU land protection activities. 
• Identifying potential projects; developing/maintaining relationships with public and private landowners and agencies; and identifying and securing funding for project activities.
• Coordination with regional and national lands program staff, monitoring existing conservation easements, 
• Collaboration with DU GIS Analysts to develop maps and geospatial tools for refinement of outreach and project location focus, and 
• Field work duties include site evaluations, monitoring project functions, and managing sub-contractors for project tasks. Occasional long days, overnight trips, manual labor, and hiking over rough terrain in all weather conditions is required for field work.

Successful candidates will receive training in various aspects of these jobs, via formal training sessions as well as on-the-job training in the field. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

Preferred candidates must have a bachelor's degree in wildlife, environmental science, restoration ecology or related conservation field, or lands related field such as business, real estate, or agricultural economics.  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. Passing a federal-level background check and drug screening is required for employment, as is securing and maintaining a Federal LincPass.

 Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of Farm Bill conservation easement programs.
• Experience working with private landowners.
• Field experience working in wetland, grassland, or aquatic systems.
• Conservation planning and/or wetland restoration planning experience.
• Experience developing proposals, securing funding, and managing project budgets. 
• Familiarity with Lands Protection activities and transactional processes including due diligence review, preparation of Baseline Documentation Reports, and drafting conservation easement language. 
• 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.

These positions are for a 4+ year term with the opportunity to extend based upon funding availability.  

Benefits/Salary: Salary $60,000 to $75,000, commensurate with experience & education. We work hard to encourage everyone at Ducks Unlimited to bring their authentic selves to work every day. DU offers an exceptional benefit package that includes 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); and tuition reimbursement.

Application: Please fill out the application materials at www.ducks.org/jobs and attach a cover letter and resume indicating your qualifications and why you are interested in the position. These positions will remain open until filled. Please direct any questions to DU Human Resources careers@ducks.org.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until a qualified applicant is identified. Qualified applications will be batched for interviews.  DU would like to fill these positions as soon as possible.  

DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, military status, disability, age, or genetic information except where age or gender is a bona fide occupational qualification as allowed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions),  sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression,  age (40 or over), disability (physical, mental or visual), genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), military and veteran status, immigration status, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.