Mission: Connecting people to nature by conserving the lands and waters essential to life in the Inland Northwest
Position Summary: The Inland Northwest Land Conservancy (INLC) is pleased to announce the opening of a new staff position in the organization. We are seeking a highly motivated individual who is dedicated to the conservation of the best of the Inland Northwest. The Conservation and Stewardship Specialist will support INLC’s land protection and stewardship work. The position assists with activities related to monitoring, maintenance, and acquisition of conservation easements and fee-simple conservation acquisitions, including the preparation and review of legal documents, records and reports. This includes assisting in planning, research, due diligence, mapping, filing, database entry, reports and grants. This position is partly responsible for building and maintaining positive relationships with landowners under each easement and completing annual monitoring in the field. This position will work closely with and report to the Conservation Director to develop and implement stewardship work. This position will also partner with the Community Conservation Director to design and implement public-engagement field work projects on our private and public conservation lands. With time this position will be entrusted with the development and management of specific project areas – quite likely focused on the Hangman and/or Little Spokane watersheds.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Conservation Easement Stewardship (20%)
• Landowner relationships: In partnership with Conservation director, initiate and sustain positive working communication with landowners under each easement and build relationships to enhance compliance.
• Annual monitoring: In partnership with Conservation Director, manage and ensure annual on-the-ground monitoring of every conservation easement property in compliance with LTA Standards and Practices and INLC’s policies and procedures.
• Recordkeeping: In partnership with Conservation Director, refine, implement and maintain meticulous recordkeeping system for conservation easements in compliance with LTA Standards and Practices and INLC’s policies and procedures.
Land Protection (40%)
• Assist with acquisition process for land trust projects.
• Under Conservation Director’s direction, conduct or contract due diligence activities for land transactions.
• Prepare background and baseline documentation (including maps, aerial photographs, zoning, land use, mineral and water rights information, etc.)
• Order title reports, appraisals, and legal descriptions and other pertinent documents.
• Coordinate timely completion of environmental hazard assessments for land transactions including conducting records search for potentially contaminated sites in vicinity of each property.
• Seek out, submit, and manage state and federal conservation grants to support select projects, and coordinate the transactions, processes, timelines and reports associated with these funding sources.
• Prepare RFPs and review bids for professional service contracts associated with land transactions including: appraisals, surveys, phase 1 environmental inspections, etc. Draft and track progress of associated contracts. Complete post-closing tasks for all land protection projects: ensure grant agencies have received copies of necessary documents, close files.
Stewardship Project Management (40%)
• Develop and conduct site management, stewardship, and restoration of INLC owned properties.
• Assist with organizing, training, and supervising stewardship volunteers for projects and work parties on Partner Projects, INLC Reserves and Conservation Easements.
• Maintain organizational systems for tracking projects and associated paperwork. Manage transaction files, assist with organizing and maintaining stewardship and land records in the INLC database.
• Provide organizational GIS support including creation of project maps and updating GIS database, and field GPS data collection.
• Assist with updating relevant policies and procedures.
• Grant support including writing and making presentations, implementing and completing scope of work of awarded grants, assisting with maintaining grant tracking system, partnership agreements, application status, and deadlines.
• Assist with public outreach including newsletter articles, website updates, educational materials, presentations, tours, and other outreach and fundraising events.
• Administrative and Organizational support by scheduling and attending meetings, taking minutes, providing assistance to other staff with projects and events as required, and responding to immediate needs in the field.
Required Qualifications:
• A demonstrated commitment to land conservation and INLC’s mission.
• Bachelor’s Degree in conservation, ecology, or natural resource related field.
• Excellent speaking and written communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to be flexible, multi-task, perform under pressure and work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work with diverse people and develop positive working relationships with co-workers, landowners, agencies, and other partners and stakeholders.
• Practical problem-solving and organizational skills with attention to detail and record-keeping.
• Ability to walk up to two miles over rough terrain and navigate in remote areas, sometimes with dense vegetation.
• Ability to work independently under physically demanding conditions, including cold and wet weather and be able to lift 50 lbs.
• Must be able to work some non-standard hours including some evenings and weekends.
• Competent with standard computer software including Word, Excel, ArcGIS (or other mapping tools), internet and email.
• Valid insurable driver’s license.
• Experience working with databases.
Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Photography skills
• Understanding and experience working with Conservation Easements.
• Knowledge of real estate, protection techniques, and land conservation easement principles.
• Demonstrated knowledge of natural history (specifically natural communities) of the Inland Northwest, or a strong willingness and ability to learn.
Compensation
This is a fulltime position based in Spokane, WA. Salary range starting at $45,000, DOE.
Inland Northwest Land Conservancy provides competitive health benefits, retirement match, and vacation leave.
Reports to Conservation Director and works with staff team.
To Apply
Email a single PDF including a letter of interest, resume and contact information for minimum of three references to: dschaub@inlandnwland.org with “Conservation and Stewardship Specialist” in the subject line.
Applications are only accepted electronically. You will receive an email confirming receipt of your letter and resume. No calls please.
The Inland Northwest Land Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes all applicants and seeks to build a diverse staff. This position was posted on June 13th, 2019 and is open until filled.