Lower Mississippi Sr. Field Representative

TITLE: Lower Mississippi Sr. Field Representative

LINE OF BUSINESS/DIVISION: Conservation Acquisitions/Southeast Region

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Vice President, Lower Mississippi and Gulf Coast Region

NUMBER OF POSITIONS REPORTING TO THIS POSITION: None

LOCATION: Louisiana, Arkansas, or Mississippi

JOB HIGHLIGHTS

The Sr. Field Representative is part of the Southeast Region team of The Conservation Fund and initiates, funds and completes conservation land transactions in the three states of Louisiana/Arkansas/Mississippi.  Projects may include, but are not limited to, ecologically sensitive tracts, conservation easements on private lands, historically significant sites, recreational trails, and mitigation lands for federal, state, local and private partners. The Senior Field Representative will work cooperatively with landowners, government agencies, and other partners to initiate projects, secure funding, and shepherd projects through the acquisition process. 

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lead the organization’s conservation activities within Louisiana, Arkansas & Mississippi in coordination with the VP for Lower Mississippi & Gulf Coast Region and other teams.
• Define a vision to enhance the existing land conservation programs while seeking and developing new conservation opportunities.
• Initiate and implement conservation real estate transactions.
• Identify and engage owners of priority conservation lands.
• Negotiate sales contracts.
• Raise project funds from public and private sources and prepare and track project budgets.
• Oversee due diligence activities including appraisals, surveys, title policies, site evaluations, and coordinate all with legal team.
• Coordinate project closing and transfer of lands/easements to public agency and private non-profit partners.
• Build relationships with private/corporate landowners; public agency leaders and staff; private funders; and elected officials.
• Manage and grow relationships with key partners in public agencies, the private sector, other NGOs, and within TCF.
• Work with TCF staff in development, finance, media and other TCF programs to coordinate in-state projects.
• Track and complete grant and other funder and partner requirements.
• Maintain accurate database of landowner and partner contact information and project tracking and grant reporting.

WHAT WE NEED YOU TO HAVE

• 10+ years of experience in land conservation real estate with and mastery of or strong familiarity with conservation and environmental subjects, especially in the states of Louisiana, Arkansas, or Mississippi.
• Experience or strong familiarity with land trusts, conservation real estate work, transaction styles, and open space conservation.
• Familiarity with grant writing and experience with non-profit conservation organizations.
• 5 years of experience as a leader in the conservation arena, preferably in Louisiana, Arkansas, or Mississippi
• Negotiating skills and transactional real estate experience. Solid understanding of how land trust partners operate.
• 10+ years of experience and proven background in project and operations fundraising including a demonstrated ability to lead and successfully complete major project fundraising efforts.
• Experience communicating with and presenting to diverse audiences including donors, partners, elected officials, board members, employees, or equivalent.
• Ability to master the real estate transactional and land exchange requirements of the State(s) and the requirements of all grant management processes
• Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, demonstrating flexibility and teamwork within an entrepreneurial environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public presentations.
• Computer skills including MS Office applications, E-mail, PowerPoint and spreadsheets.
• Ability to travel in order to reach various field locations.
• Attention to detail and ability to work within deadlines and under pressure.
• Ability and willingness to work positively and cooperatively with the public, TCF staff, conservation professionals and leaders, and private and governmental organizations with diverse backgrounds.
• A commitment to conservation and the goals of The Conservation Fund.

WHAT WE’D LIKE YOU TO HAVE

• Bachelor’s degree in related fields such as planning, real estate, political science, environmental sciences, biology, natural resources management, forestry, and/or natural resource economics or paralegal certificate.
• Experience working with State & Local Governments.
• Experience in using ArcMap/ESRI GIS applications.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT 

• Some lifting and carrying will be necessary – up to 20 pounds.
• Work is performed in both an office setting and in outdoor settings in all weather conditions.
• When visiting conservation sites, the ability to traverse all terrain in outdoor/all weather conditions including on water will be necessary.
• Willingness to travel as necessary to carry out duties, often with short notice and in inclement weather over long distances in remote areas.
• Estimated travel – 30% per month, with additional day travel required.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 

The salary range for this position is $85,000 – $95,000 and the position is eligible for opportunities to earn performance-based bonus compensation. Please note: Salary range provided is an estimate and will be evaluated on an individual basis, taking into consideration the candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, and education. The final salary offer will be determined accordingly.

The Fund offers a highly competitive package of benefits including:

• Employer contributions for medical, vision and dental insurance plans.
• Retirement plan discretionary company contribution.
• Company contributions to HSA account.
• Company-paid paid life insurance, AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term disability insurance.
• Continuing education benefit for approved programs.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).
• Generous paid vacation, sick and floating holidays.
• Voluntary Life Insurance, AD&D, Spouse and Child plans at group rates.
• Six weeks paid parental leave
• 14 paid holidays

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

Frequently cited statistics show that women and people from underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they think they meet 100% of the criteria. If you meet many but not all the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for the role, The Conservation Fund encourages you to apply.

The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit corporation, is an Equal Opportunity Employer that fully and actively supports equal access for all people regardless of Race, Color, Religion, Gender, Age, National Origin, Veteran Status, Disability, Genetic Information or Testing, Family and Medical Leave status, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression. The Fund prohibits retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint, or otherwise oppose discrimination.