Conservation Field Representative – Rappahannock County

Title:                           Field Representative (Rappahannock County)

Manager:                   Director of Conservation

Location:                   Warrenton, Va.

Job Classification:    Full Time Non-Exempt

About PEC

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) conserves and restores the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. Founded in 1972, PEC is a locally based, community-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit and accredited land trust. At the core of PEC’s approach is a focus on educating, engaging and empowering people to effect positive change in their communities.

Your Role

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is seeking to hire a Field Representative to work with landowners, land managers, and federal, state and local agencies to further PEC’s land conservation priorities and land use policy activities in PEC’s nine county service area (learn more about the nine counties). The Field Representative will work to advance the following goals:

• Executing and/or facilitating conservation real estate transactions that will further PEC’s goal of conserving 1 million acres in the PEC region. These transactions include, but are not limited to, donation of conservation easements by landowners, purchase of conservation easements by PEC, fee simple acquisitions of land, and conveyance of conservation lands to public conservation agencies and/or private conservation buyers.
• Creating and sustaining a network of informed residents, donors, policymakers, partner organizations, and others that are ready to advocate for policies and actions that support land conservation, resource protection, and enhanced public access to nature.
• Ensuring that PEC’s work embodies best practices identified by the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices, particularly in regard to the stewardship of land owned and held in conservation easements by PEC.
• Increasing positive awareness of PEC and building support for PEC programs.

Areas of Responsibility

The Field Representative will be responsible for executing a diverse portfolio of land conservation, natural resource restoration, land use policy, and civic engagement efforts that further PEC’s mission. Examples of activities include:

• Developing and implementing land protection strategies through:
  • Identification of key at-risk properties, landscapes, and resources;
  • Outreach and education to landowners, farmers, and professional advisers on conservation tools such as voluntary conservation easement donations, Purchase of Development Rights programs, and other conservation programs; and
  • Coordination with other private partners and public agencies (such as local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the USDA National Resources Conservation Service).
  • Preparing grant funding proposals available through the NRCS Agricultural Land Easement program, the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation grant program, and/or similar funding opportunities
• Educating and assisting landowners to implement a suite of land management practices that enhance wildlife habitat, restore water quality, and/or improve agricultural productivity on public and private lands in the Piedmont.
• Serving as part of PEC’s stewardship team, responsible for ensuring appropriate monitoring and stewardship of PEC’s portfolio of conservation easements and lands.
• Serving in a key staff role supporting effective use of PEC’s internal land conservation funds, with activities including project identification, coordination with landowners and/or community organizations, and programmatic support for the funds’ advisory committees.
• Serving as PEC staff representative to regional conservation initiatives.
• Initiating, leading, or participating in local community-based conservation planning and policy efforts that further PEC’s mission and land conservation goals, including public access and trails, historic preservation, water quality improvement, habitat restoration, and/or agricultural land management demonstration projects.
• Working directly with staff, residents and allied organizations to organize the public around campaigns, policies, and outcomes supportive of the PEC mission, especially local comprehensive planning processes and related planning decisions that would significantly impact future conservation efforts and/or priority landscapes.
• Collaborating with PEC communications and advancement staff to secure appropriate funding and highlight the benefits of PEC’s work in the region.

The Field Representative reports to PEC’s Director of Conservation, but will also work closely with other field representatives, departments within PEC, and members of the PEC Board of Directors.

Geographic Focus

The primary geographic focus of the position will be working in Rappahannock County and, secondarily, in surrounding jurisdictions within the Upper Rappahannock River watershed (Rappahannock, Culpeper, Madison, Orange, and southern Fauquier counties).

This position will be based out of PEC’s headquarters office in Warrenton, VA or in a hybrid manner to be decided jointly with their supervisor. This position may require travel within PEC’s nine-county service area. Occasional nights and weekends may be required.

Required Qualifications

• Strong work ethic and commitment to PEC’s core values, mission and vision.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) principles.
• A working knowledge of conservation policies, conservation easements, and real estate transactions.
• Experience working with rural landowners and farm operators.
• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, forestry, natural resources, planning, public policy, environmental studies, or a related field.
• Ability to organize, coordinate and manage diverse activities and deadlines.
• Excellent and compelling oral and written communication skills, including ability to write, edit, and proofread written materials for use in communicating public policy and conservation opportunities internally and externally.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work well with a diverse constituency from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives, including elected officials, non-profit representatives, community groups, and residents, and experience leading public outreach and/or education campaigns.
• Knowledge and experience with Google Suite and/or Microsoft Office productivity software. Familiarity with ArcGIS is a plus.
• Willing to work some weekends and evenings.
• This position will require frequent travel. Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3-5 years work experience or graduate degree in agriculture, forestry, natural resources, planning, law or a related field.
• Familiarity with conservation grant programs preferred (such as NRCS Agricultural Land Easement program, the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation grant program, the Virginia Agricultural Cost Share program, and/or funding opportunities available through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation).
• A working knowledge of local land use planning and zoning in Virginia.
• Experience with CRM database software (PEC uses Salesforce).
• Experience and/or interest in public policy, with an emphasis on environmental, conservation, and/or land use issues.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

This position will be completed in both an office environment and the outdoors. Office work requires extended sitting or standing and the use of a computer, keyboard, and mouse. Fieldwork is performed outdoors in all weather conditions, frequently carried out alone, and may be physically demanding, including walking/hiking several miles over remote, rugged terrain, with a risk of exposure to natural hazards. Occasional lifting of materials up to 40 lbs. is required.

Compensation

This position is a non-exempt / hourly position with benefits. Salary range of $22 to $31.25 per hour (equivalent to $45,000 – $65,000 annually), commensurate with experience.

Benefits

PEC offers an outstanding and robust benefits package including:

• Two health plans (83% employer paid premium for employee only plan, 80% employer paid for added dependents)
• Short- & Long-Term Disability*
• Group Term Life*
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity insurances*
• HSA account (with employer match up to $750 per year)
• FSA accounts (health & dependent care)
• 403(b) pension plan with employer contribution after 1 year of service with 100% vesting from day one
• 10 paid holidays
• 2 floating holidays
• PTO leave – 24 days per year, accrued each pay period
• 1 day per year of paid leave to volunteer at another non-profit or charitable cause
• Salary continuation leave for employee or family illness – from 2 to 8 weeks fully paid leave eligibility every 24 months, depending on length of service
• Paid bereavement, jury duty and military service training leave
• Travel expense reimbursement
• Hybrid work environment and flexible work schedules
• Cell Phone Reimbursement, up to $75 per month
• Professional development support
• Payment for relevant licenses & professional membership fees.

*Indicates that this insurance premium is 100% paid by PEC for employee’s coverage.

The Piedmont Environmental Council strives to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all aspects of achieving our mission. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  Read more about our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) commitments.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process may be requested. If you have any questions or concerns, please email apply@pecva.org.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.