Easement Program Financial Data Analyst

Easement Program Financial Data Analyst 

Remote Work

 

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. These positions will be home-officed, however, will be expected to occasionally travel for team meetings and trainings held by DU and NRCS as necessary.   

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Easement Program Financial Data Analyst (Analyst) position will be responsible for providing support to NRCS Easement Programs Division (EPD) staff and others to assist with the analysis and reporting of easement program financial data. The Financial Analyst will mine data from NRCS financial, programmatic, tracking and other Agency tools, systems, and data sources on a recurring basis. Under the direction of the Easement Program representative, the Analyst will combine data from all sources to prepare reports, provide quality control, communicate with other staff about financial transactions, and update visualizations of the data. The Analyst will lead data reconciliation efforts and track compliance with set guidance and policies regarding reconciliation. This position requires someone that is detail oriented, has working knowledge of federal accounting processes and practices, is highly proficient in exporting, merging, and analyzing large datasets, and is highly motivated to be a part of a large-scale conservation effort. 

 

• Obtain pertinent data from NRCS systems, combine, assess and analyze data sets from multiple tools and systems, tracking solution database, and freestanding databases and datasets. 
• Provide standardized and custom reports concerning various topics on weekly, monthly, or annual basis as needed.
• Analyze business procedures using all data resources to devise most efficient methods of accomplishing work, resolve problems, and streamline processes. 
  • Document and present on findings. 
  • Prepare recommendations for solutions and future efforts (systems, processes, data, etc.).
  • Establish and maintain standard operating procedures for data mining, analyst, and reporting.
• Prepare, in writing, and present data analysis and visualization of any conclusions reached from analysis. 
• Work to automate analysis, reporting, and visualization of requested recuring report needs.
• Lead data reconciliation efforts and track compliance with set guidance and policies regarding reconciliation.
• Prepare, using analyzed data, quarterly and annual Team, Branch, Division, and Agency-wide reports. 
• Monthly Project Reports for the completed work to include narrative and graphically represented progress. 

 

Minimum Qualifications: 

Preferred candidates must have a bachelor's degree in any field of study or at least five years of specialized experience completing work like that described above. The successful candidate must have demonstrated the ability to think strategically, develop and manipulate and analyze complex datasets, and adopt new approaches in response to changing circumstances. The candidate must be willing and able to travel as needed, including some overnight travel. This position will consist of office work; no fieldwork will be required. 

 

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Utilize the following software and programs used by USDA for financial and reporting processes:
  • SQL Query Design and advanced Excel knowledge
  • PowerBI data visualization and Power Query
  • SAP HANA Reporting and systems integration
  • SAP Web Intelligence visualizations
  • Python for Data Collection, financial modeling, and report automation
• Knowledge of private land conservation, conservation easements, agriculture industry, contract administration and/or state, local, or government operations. 
• An ability to learn and translate information into action.
• Ability to create and thrive in a team environment.
• Ability to effectively plan, organize and prioritize work activities and complete tasks to meet deadlines.
• 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.
• Ability to work independently and maintain a high level of productivity in a remote work environment.
• Experience using USDA and NRCS tools such as the National Easement Staging Tool (NEST) and Financial Management Modernization Initiative (FMMI).  

This position will report directly to DU’s Manager of Conservation Programs – USDA Partnerships. This position is for a 3-year term with the opportunity to extend based upon funding availability.  

Benefits/Salary: Salary $65,000 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. The position will be open until filled. 

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, 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.