Regional Lands Manager- Northwest

The Regional Lands Manager-NW will be responsible for implementing land conservation and public access projects primarily in Montana and Wyoming to advance the organization’s mission. This position will develop and close on fee title acquisitions, increased public access, purchased and donated conservation easements, land donations and other transactional projects. The position will assist in developing and furthering regional organizational operating plans where land projects will be pursued within the region, however, this position may be asked to work outside this area as well. The position occasionally serves to support regional wildlife management, habitat stewardship and advocacy priorities, as directed. 

This is a remote position, and the employee must reside in or be willing to relocate to Montana or Wyoming.

Priority Essential Functions: 

1. Serve as regional lands contact implementing and completing land conservation and access projects to support regional RMEF mission priorities. Implement a work plan of projects that support organizational success across divisions in the region. 

2. Lands Projects - Complete land and access projects adhering to policies, procedures and annual goals. Build and maintain a pipeline of high impact projects to support RMEF state and regional goals. Analyze, select, develop and complete appropriate transactions. Negotiate the terms and conditions, prepare and present appropriate documents and coordinate with all parties pertinent to the transaction. Adhere to policies and procedures in the RMEF Lands Program Handbook. 

3. Mission Stakeholders - Network with a variety of public land agencies, corporations, land trusts, conservation organizations and individuals to seek clear project and partnerships deliverables. Attend relevant state/regional meetings, act as an advisor on priority working groups/committees, contribute expertise and increase RMEF mission delivery visibility. Ensure adequate communication with appropriate RMEF departments and field staff within your region of focus.

Essential Functions Continued: 

4. Integrate habitat and wildlife management activities into lands and access projects and serve as contact addressing priority habitat and wildlife management issues, where appropriate, and/or requested, working with regional mission operations and RMEF granting programs. 

5. Habitat Stewardship & Wildlife Management - Maintain relationships with relevant land management organizations and private landowners to identify priority habitat needs for elk and other big game in each state within the region. Serve as a regional contact on pertinent issues including wildlife disease, habitat challenges and private land/elk issues, etc. Advise stakeholders on wildlife and habitat management best practices for the region. 

6. Maintain complete files and communications on project activity within RMEF platforms and in accordance with RMEF policy and operating procedures. 

7. Maintain fiscal responsibility through annual budgets and land transaction negotiations. 

8. Advocacy – When appropriate, and as approved and directed, assist with engagement in local land and agency commission efforts by presenting projects, researching background and drafting responses on best practices.

9. Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervision of Others:

 This position will not supervise staff. 

Education and Experience:

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in natural resources or related field. A minimum of five years of full-time professional experience in the real estate, wildlife conservation, land management or stewardship field or a combination of these areas is desired. Demonstrated understanding of wildlife and wildlife habitat and understanding of and experience in relationships with state and federal agencies and land trusts is desired. 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1. Thorough knowledge and support of RMEF mission, goals, organizational structure and activities and the ability to promote them.
2. Working knowledge of real property, appraisals, titles, conservation easements and other real estate documents, and government land acquisition policies/procedures.
3. Knowledge and comprehension of biology, habitat relationships and basic principles of wildlife ecology, range and forest management.
4. An understanding of the responsibilities and mission of public land management organizations, public wildlife management organizations and nonprofit conservation organizations. Knowledge of conservation planning and working on landscape scales.
5. Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work constructively with a wide variety of entities internally and externally. 
6. Ability to perceive and establish long-term goals to develop and implement projects that are cohesive, progressive, mission oriented and cost effective. Demonstrated ability to handle changing priorities and conflicting deadlines. Must be detail oriented and accurate.
7. Ability to work independently and to remain focused on goals and objectives. Ability to work as a team player, lead a project and cooperate in a task.
8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with RMEF stakeholders and conduct professional presentations and events.
9. Ability to identify funding sources and seek funding support.
10. Ability to represent RMEF in a professional manner.
11. Proficient in and knowledgeable of computer applications specifically Microsoft Office and relational databases. Ability to work with digital photography/imagery, GIS and mapping skills is preferable.
12. Ability to develop and manage a budget. 

Physical Demands:

The incumbent will encounter both office and field conditions and will be required to travel extensively. Office work will require sitting or standing for long periods of time, frequent use of office equipment such as telephones, scanners and computers, and light lifting, bending and physical exertion. Travel by automobile, airplane, horse, foot or mechanized ORVs may be required. Evening work and weekend work may be required. 

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of the job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities or requirements.