Careers EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Lands Program Manager – California

Department: Lands and Conservation
Classification:  ¾ Time Exempt

Date:  March 2020 

Job Summary:

The primary responsibility is to cultivate and complete projects under the Permanent Land Protection Program.  This position will seek opportunities for fee title acquisitions, increased public access, purchased and donated conservation easements, assembled land exchanges, and land donations. The position will assist in developing and furthering existing focus areas for protecting Tule elk habitat and enhancing public access. This position will also assist in furthering partnerships with the State and Federal Agency staff in California and promoting RMEF mission priorities. Responsibilities also include seeking planned gifts, individual donations, and bargain sales to complete RMEF mission efforts.

Job Announcement:

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a hunter-based non-profit wildlife/habitat conservation seeks an experienced individual to work with private landowners and state & federal partners in California to secure the future of private lands containing important wildlife habitat.  The ¾ time position is responsible for monitoring and managing existing conservation easements, identifying and developing permanent land protection opportunities, creating and maintaining partnerships and negotiating land transactions including conservation easements, public access easements, fee title acquisitions, assembled land exchanges, and land donations. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in natural resources or related field and 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. Background and experience in title commitment review, appraisal review, fee simple real estate transactions, conservation easements, and project negotiation and a balanced interpersonal skill set is very important.  Understanding of wildlife and wildlife habitat and experience with state and federal agencies and land trusts is desired.  Preferred living location is either north central or northwestern California. To apply email letter of interest and resume by April 13^th.

RMEF is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/D/V

Essential Functions:

1. Lands Selection—The incumbent will assist in developing primary focus areas for the lands program activities in RMEF’s state, regional, and national conservation planning efforts. Additionally, the incumbent may also assist in more comprehensive planning.  The position will be responsible to develop annual goals for the area of responsibility.

• • Lands Transactions—The incumbent will be responsible for assessing the priority for projects, determining the type of transaction, negotiating the terms and conditions, preparing and presenting appropriate documents and coordinating with all parties pertinent to the transaction. Contracting for appraisals, ensuring due-diligence and coordination of legal review is required.  Maintain complete files on active projects and work with the Lands Specialist and CE Manager to ensure proper files are transferred to the permanent record at HQ. This position will recommend land projects to the Lands Operations Manager, Director of Lands and Chief Conservation Officer, prepare Board Committee summaries, and work closely with the Lands and Legal departments for review. The incumbent will be responsible to prepare an annual work plan and budget and monitor progress through the year.
  • Agency and Organizational Interaction —­ The incumbent will be expected to effectively network with a variety of agency, corporations, land trusts, conservation organizations, and individuals to seek projects and partnerships. Close coordination and communication with the Legal department, other related staff, RD’s, Development Officers, and Volunteer State Chairs is essential.  Development and Fundraising —This position will assist in raising revenues for RMEF through negotiated opportunities such as bargain sales and planned gifts related to the lands transactions.  Developing relationships and seeking donations such as habitat partnerships and stewardship grants is also a responsibility.

4. Public Relations—Seeking opportunities and cooperating with RMEF’s Regional Directors and volunteers to enhance knowledge and celebrate RMEF’s achievements is important. Preparing land project summaries, assisting in land project dedications, and speaking at selected events will periodically be necessary to enhance RMEF’s visibility.
5. Conservation Easements- The incumbent will be required to monitor RMEF conservation easements annually and maintain a productive relationship with the owners of the land under easement. The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring the terms and conditions of RMEF conservation easements will be complied with and be able to recommend stewardship projects to the landowner that are mutually acceptable to the landowner and RMEF.

Supervision of Others:  

No supervisory responsibilities are expected at this time. 

Additional Responsibilities:

To attend appropriate training and organizational meetings as required.  Manage various administrative requirements.  Assist in other areas as determined by the Lands Operations Manager, Director of Lands, and/or Chief Conservation Officer.

Education and Experience:

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in natural resources or related field.  A minimum of five years professional experience in the real estate, wildlife conservation, land management or stewardship field or a combination of these areas is desired. Background and experience in title commitment review, appraisal review, fee simple real estate transactions, conservation easements, project negotiation and solid interpersonal skills are very important.  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 of the RMEF’s mission, goals, organizational structure and activities, including the biological, social and political elements that shape them, and the ability to promote them.
2. Sound grasp of lands transaction procedures, the legal requirements, documentation, tax implications, and the relationships between the parties involved.
3. Knowledge and comprehension of biology, habitat relationships, and basic principles of wildlife ecology. Knowledge of range and forest management is preferred.
4. Ability to identify funding sources and seek funding support. Ability to develop and manage a budget.
5. Knowledge of the roles, authorities and responsibilities of federal, state and county governments and work-related experience dealing with at least one level of government.
6. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
7. Ability to use office equipment. Proficient and knowledgeable enough with computers to conduct business from a home office. Ability to work with GIS and/or mapping skills is preferable.
8. Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills and the ability to work constructively with a wide variety of entities. Ability to interact/communicate with a diversity of landowners and other individuals is critical.
9. Ability to perceive and establish long-term goals, to develop and implement programs that are cohesive, progressive and that are mission-oriented.
10. An understanding of the responsibilities and mission of public land management organizations, public wildlife management organizations, and non-profit conservation organizations. Knowledge of conservation planning and working on landscape scales is preferable.
11. Ability to work independently without frequent, direct supervision and to remain focused on goals and objectives. Also have ability to work as a team player and strive to cooperatively accomplish a task. Prioritizing work and remaining flexible with changing priorities and conflicting deadlines is critical.
12. Working knowledge of other fundraising techniques such as planned giving, estate planning and the ability to solicit gifts and steward donors.

Physical Demands:

The incumbent will encounter both office and field conditions.  Office work will require sitting or standing for long periods of time, frequent use of office equipment such as telephones, computers, and light lifting, bending and physical exertion.  Frequent travel by automobile, airplane, horse, foot or mechanized ORV’s will be required.  The person will occasionally be required to travel challenging terrain. Physical exertion in getting to and inspecting properties will require very good to excellent physical capability and health.  Walking, hiking, climbing and riding may all 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.