Conservation Program Associate (Remote in Western US)

MDF Conservation Program Associate

Position Overview:

The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) Conservation Program Associate (Program Associate) will be a valuable member of the MDF Conservation Team and report directly to the Senior Conservation Program Associate to assist with administration, accounting, oversight, program management, agreement and contract management, and program development support to MDF’s Conservation Program and specifically Keystone agreements with the US Forest Service. The incumbent will be responsible for assisting the MDF Conservation Program staff in developing, implementing, and managing collaborative habitat and conservation projects primarily with the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management, other land management agencies, state agencies, communities, conservation NGOs, and private sector partners when needed. The Program Associate position is to support strategic initiatives and long-term goals undertaken by MDF throughout the United States. The Program Associate will coordinate closely with MDF Financial Team and provide support and administrative duties for MDF Conservation Team activities.

Position Duties and Responsibilities.

• Provide financial duties and grant/project administration to MDF projects including accounting, invoicing, budgeting, reporting, documentation, and other duties needed to successfully plan, implement, and report for conservation projects.
• Build, maintain, and direct close and mutually beneficial collaborative relationships among federal (United States Forest Service) and state land management agencies, NGO partners, and MDF to implement effective community-based conservation and stewardship partnerships.
• Work with MDF staff in partnering with federal and state land management agencies, and other NGO partners to help develop conservation projects across various land ownerships and land uses.
• Assist with developing, implementing, and directing MDF’s Conservation Program by providing input and completing tasks associated with developing new MDF policy, updates to existing MDF policy, staffing availability, work planning, and working directly with MDF financial and accounting personnel to insure program efficiency and timely financial transactions.
• Assist the National Partnership Coordinator, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and MDF Conservation Staff to ensure new projects are vetted and fit into the MDF Mission and Goals.
• Coordinate with MDF staff to ensure expenses are staying within specific project budgets.
• Coordinate with MDF staff to develop, modify, manage, track all aspects (including budgets, contracting mechanisms, and accomplishments) of large-scale habitat projects and other Agreements associated with deer restoration projects (e.g., hand thinning, mechanical thinning, mastication, biomass removal, prescribed fire).
• Work with MDF staff, agency partners, and grant administrators to ensure timely and accurate monthly invoicing and reporting efforts, including identifying and executing necessary amendments, for contracts and grant-funded habitat work.
• Maintain a breadth of knowledge about current trends, emerging issues, policy development, and innovations in the field of stewardship activity and conservation programming to allow MDF to perform better administratively.

Qualifications.

Education requirements: High School Diploma or equivalent. Associate degree or higher preferred.

Experience requirement: 2 years of experience related in project management, administrative functions, financial or accounting, or executive assistance. A combination of these is considered appropriate. Experience with federal agreements or contracts is preferred.

• Financial/Administrative: Experience in program and project administration and financial tasks which include but is not limited to – project accounting, invoicing, budgeting, work planning, reporting, and other tasks associated with successful financial and administrative management of agreements, contracts, grants, etc.
• Program/Project Management: Understanding of project planning and implementation that involves multiple organizations, stakeholder teams, and funders, including experience managing grants and/or contracts, project budgets and timelines, and reporting and invoicing requirements.
• Project Coordination: Experience in project planning and implementation activities that involve multiple partners and diverse scopes of work.
• Federal Agreements: Understanding and experience working with U.S. Forest Service, or other federal agency, on agreements, such as or like Stewardship End Result Contracting Agreements, Challenge Cost Share Agreements, Participation Agreements, Collection Agreements, and others.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and administrative skills
• Strong writing skills and public speaking experience.
• Ability to work with a wide range of people with differing and sometimes conflicting opinions.
• Ability to work well and be flexible in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to represent MDF in a clear and professional manner through excellent written and oral communication, and interpersonal skills; and
• A strong attention to detail, with skill in working in a timely and well-organized fashion.

Salary/Benefits – $20-$25/Hr., DOE.  Paid Time Off, Health Insurance and 401K.

Location:  Remote with location negotiable with a preference to the western US and the Mountain Time Zone.

Travel: Successful applicant will have occasional travel to MDF HQ in Salt Lake City and various project sites.

MDF is an equal opportunity employer and a drug free workplace. Successful candidate will be required to pass a background check and drug test as condition of employment with MDF.