Conservation Associate Jobs

Conservation Associate

The Conservation Associate works closely with the Conservation Director and the Vice President and General Counsel to support the Coastal Prairie Conservancy’s (CPC) acquisition activities within CPC’s 9 county region.

The Conservation Associate supports easement acquisitions, including easements pursuant to the Agricultural Land Easement program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and pursuant to the Texas Coastal Prairie Initiative (TCPI), an NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

The Conservation Associate assists the Conservation Director to facilitate community partnerships and relationships with diverse stakeholders including state and federal wildlife agencies, local officials, area communities, landowners, conservation organizations, real estate developers, hunting organizations, and others.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Conservation Easement Acquisition

·The Conservation Associate shall become trained and serve as a back-up to the Conservation Director as needed to conduct site visits of potential CPC easement properties, to create baseline reports and management plans, and to support real estate transactions for conservation.

·Support Conservation Director in facilitating relationships and outreach to landowners and prospective easement donors.

·Expand cooperative working relationships with landowners, collaborative conservation groups, local and regional wildlife agencies and other resource professionals.

·Provide staff support to the Land Conservation Committee as requested by Vice President and General Counsel and Conservation Director.

Conservation Easement Monitoring

·The Conservation Associate shall become trained and serve as a back-up to the Conservation Director as needed to conduct monitoring visits of CPC easement properties.

NRCS Agricultural Land Easement Project Identification and Support

·Work with Conservation Director to identify landowners interested in engaging in conservation on private lands.

·Promote landowner education regarding Agricultural Land Easements.

·Work with landowners to complete applications for NRCS funding, including maps and other application requirements.

TCPI Project Management

Coordination and support for Texas Coastal Prairie Initiative (TCPI), including

·Provide assistance to Vice President and General Counsel and Conservation Director for project management and communications.

·Support the pre-screening process with TCPI partners in order to submit applications to NRCS for funding of conservation easements and habitat management practices that support the coastal prairie.

·Other project management support as needed.

TCPI Project Identification and Support

·Work with Conservation Director and TCPI partners to identify landowners interested in engaging in conservation on private lands.

·Assist Conservation Director in creating connections to agencies in TCPI area to raise awareness regarding TCPI programs and engage in landowner outreach.

·Coordinate process for selection of conservation easement and habitat management projects.

TCPI Outreach Programs

·In coordination with Conservation Director and Stewardship and Outreach Director, connect agencies in TCPI area to raise awareness regarding TCPI programs and engage in landowner outreach.

·Support Stewardship and Outreach Director, in designing and implementing landowner outreach events, including conference, restoration roundups and landowner workshops.

·Work with Marketing and Development Associate to update www.prairiepartner.org website with current resources and information.

·Make community presentations in support of TCPI.

TCPI Outcomes Reporting

·Support Stewardship and Outreach Director, in implementing species monitoring protocols to report outcomes of TCPI.

·Work with partners to identify available data to report economic and social outcomes.

Travel required to visit potential conservation properties, for annual monitoring, and to develop and maintain relationships with agencies, partners, and landowners.Position will be based at Indiangrass Field Office on the Katy Prairie and/or at CPC offices in Houston and will require regular in person meetings at both offices.

Applicant must be willing to work in physically demanding conditions and to walk unassisted through difficult terrain. Applicant may be required to work some evenings and weekends, as necessary, in all weather conditions to perform essential job duties.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

·Demonstrated interest in land and wildlife conservation.

·Understanding of agricultural operations including livestock grazing.

·Knowledge of prairie and wetland ecology, migratory bird conservation, and farmland protection.

·Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree preferred) in natural resources management, wildlife biology, environmental sciences, agricultural science, land-use planning or similar field.

·Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

·Willingness to work as a team player with an appreciation of the diverse values and interests of others.

·Willingness to work weekends and evenings, as necessary.

·Knowledge of or willingness to learn GIS, Microsoft Office, Landscape, and other software.

·Applicant must have a current driver’s license.

COMPENSATION

·Salary commensurate with experience; range $42,000 - $54,000.

·Benefits include Health Insurance and Retirement Plan Contribution.

·As an exempt, salaried employee, the Conservation Associate is not eligible for overtime.

If interested, please send cover letter and resume or statement of qualifications to Elisa Donovan at [email protected]. Candidate will be required to pass background check and provide references upon request.

The Coastal Prairie Conservancy (CPC) is a 501(c)(3) land trust accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. As an equal employment opportunity employer, CPC is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment, and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. CPC is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, and innovation.