Realty Specialist - Sand Lake (South Dakota)

Duty Station:  Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge, South Dakota

Application Period:  07/06/2012 to 07/09/2012

Start Date:  Negotiable

Duties:  Assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) South Dakota realty staff and Ducks Unlimited in successfully acquiring perpetual conservation easements on valuable wetland and grassland habitat for waterfowl and migratory birds in South Dakota.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Conduct professional grassland and wetland easement valuations related to acquiring USFWS grassland and wetland easements. 
• Conduct due diligence including preliminary title and making offers of just compensation to private landowners.
• Coordination with the SD realty supervisor on easement contacts and preparation of easement valuations for the Supervisor’s approval.

Education and experience needed:

• Knowledge of wetland/grassland ecology of the Prairie Pothole Region, habitat management techniques and knowledge of migratory birds and local wildlife.  
• Ten years of experience working with the USFWS Small Wetlands Acquisition Program degree.
• Experience working with private landowners.

 Skills needed:

• Must be self-motivated and have persuasive communication abilities to effectively initiate contacts with local landowners via phone, mail, and/or in-person visits. 
• Must be self-motivated and have persuasive communication abilities to effectively initiate contacts with local landowners via phone, mail, and/or in-person visits. 
• Must have excellent organizational skills to follow up on contacts.
• Must have ability to work independently with limited oversight, and also work well as part of the overall team.
• Must have excellent technology and computer skills to prepare maps, data bases, and operate GPS/GIS hardware and software.

This position offers much personal satisfaction to those who value the importance of protecting migratory bird habitat in the Prairie Pothole Region of the U.S.

To apply or for more information:

To apply, access this job announcement at www.ducks.org/jobs; fill out the application forms provided on-line; attach cover letter, resume, and three references with daytime telephone numbers; and submit.  Application deadline is July 20, 2012.

Questions can be directed to:

Randy Renner

Ducks Unlimited

2525 River Road

Bismarck, ND 58503

rrenner@ducks.org

701-355-3500