| Description |
| | The Nature Conservancy is the world’s leading conservation organization, working in all 50 states and more than 33 countries. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. | | ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS | | The Land Protection Specialist (LPS) for The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota is responsible for the implementation of a comprehensive program to protect natural areas and habitats for plants, animals and communities which are rare from state and global perspectives. The LPS is responsible for day-to-day activities of Conservancy’s land protection program in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota which includes negotiation, acquisition and disposition of land and conservation easements, cooperative management agreements, public lands designation, and implementation of landscape level land protection plans. The LPS will work with landowners, Conservancy staff, citizens, corporations, and local, state and federal agency professionals to promote protection programs on public and private lands.
The LPS will travel around the state of Minnesota and selected locations in North Dakota and/or South Dakota. A significant percentage of the workload is in the northwestern third of Minnesota. The office location is the Minneapolis office of the Conservancy or possibly other existing TNC offices in Minnesota. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. He/she is supervised by the Director of Protection, supervises no paid staff, and works with volunteers.
Travel requirement: 20-40% time | | BASIC QUALIFICATIONS | | • Bachelor’s degree and 3 years experience in natural resource management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience communicating with landowners and the public in writing and verbally.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, Web browsers, etc. | | ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION | | REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
• Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of successful experience in conservation science, land management or real estate or equivalent experience
• Familiarity with principles of land acquisition
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.
• Managing time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g.; Word, Excel, Web browsers).
• Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English
• Demonstrated experience and ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, including landowners, the public, corporate executives, volunteers, staff of governmental agencies, and scientists.
• Excellent negotiating, organizational, computer and financial management skills, and proven experience in real estate transactions
• Proven ability to work independently, beginning and completing large and complicated transactions or projects
• Strong organizational skills, thoroughness and attention to detail, as evidenced through prior experience. Ability to set priorities and organize time efficiently. Creative problem solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, and as part of a self-directed team.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently, up to 40% time, sometimes for extended periods, on short notice.
• Familiarity with Minnesota geography and natural history.
JOB DUTIES:
1. Protect significant natural areas and priority landscapes in Minnesota and related ecoregions, through the use of the full range of protection tools including fee-title acquisition, conservation easements, leases, administrative protection programs (e.g. CRP, RIM), and other methods. This position may work on selected public grant projects, and assist with grant reporting.
2. Participate in a team effort with the Director of Protection and TNC field staff to implement landscape conservation and protection plans in cooperation with public and private partner organizations, agencies and individuals.
3. Respond to land protection inquiries and opportunities as appropriate, and represent the Conservancy to land owners, members, citizen groups and local officials. Work with Director of Protection, and Conservancy professional, administrative and field staff members as needed to complete projects and follow TNC policies and procedures.
4. Where and when appropriate, work with field office staff and federal, state and local government officials to protect natural lands for public ownership. Consistent with the field office strategic plan and ecoregional portfolio designs, work with the Director of Protection and Assistant State Director of Conservation Programs on transfers of existing Conservancy land to appropriate conservation owners. | | BENEFITS | | The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond. | | HOW TO APPLY | | To apply on-line go to nature.org/careers.
Deadline for applications is May 1, 2009
Position will remain open until filled.
Please submit resume and letter of interest as one document of your on-line application. | | EOE STATEMENT | | The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. |
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