Conservation Easement Coordinator

Whiterock Conservancy seeks a full-time Conservation Easement Coordinator to oversee its conservation easement program, including monitoring and securing easements, conducting site inventories, and managing land stewardship activities. The role involves outdoor work in diverse landscapes, operating equipment, and collaborating with staff and landowners. Candidates should have skills in agricultural practices and natural resource management. The position is based in Coon Rapids, IA and requires physical endurance.
Whiterock Conservancy is a non-profit land trust that stewards over 5,500 acres and 40 miles of trails in West-Central Iowa near Coon Rapids. The gorgeous Whiterock landscape attracts visitors from all over and spans oak savanna, rolling pastures, remnant and restored prairies, wetlands, the Middle Raccoon River, sandstone bluffs, fishing ponds, cropland, and unique historic and geologic sites. Whiterock Conservancy was founded in 2004 with the mission to achieve a sustainable, resilient rural landscape, and transform people’s connection with agriculture and nature. https://www.whiterockconservancy.org/

Conservation Easement Coordinator

Reports to: Land Stewardship Director

Status: Full-time/Salary

Compensation: $45,000 - $55,000/Annually

Including standard organization benefits

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Position Overview

The Conservation Easement Coordinator (CEC) is a full-time position whose essential job duties include the planning and coordination of Whiterock Conservancy’s conservation easement program. Activities include monitoring existing conservation and soil health easements, working with landowners to secure new conservation easements including language drafting, baseline documentation reports, and conducting site inventories according to Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices and WRC board policies. The CEC also assists with the day-to-day activities of a multi-faceted land stewardship program that includes conducting natural resource management in a diverse landscape containing remnant oak savanna, remnant and restored prairie, crop ground, pastures, farm districts, and recreational trails that are being actively maintained and restored. The ideal candidate will manage WRC’s Conservation Easement program, lead field data collection activities, data analysis and interpretation, and use data gathered and assessed to help set, develop, and implement WRC soil health and conservation easements and land stewardship programs. The CEC will work as a team with other WRC staff, agency partners and private landowners to accomplish WRC goals.

This position may operate hand tools, chainsaws, tractors, trucks, mowers, hauling materials, repairs, trim and cut trees and participate in prescribed burning. These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. Skills and field experience in agricultural practices, easements, contracts, equipment use and management, prescribed fire, monitoring and assessment. The position must be self-motivated with excellent time management skills and comfortable with both individual and group work, and willing to work with the public and landowners.

Physical demands of the position may include navigating steep and uneven terrain and working in all weather conditions, hiking long distances, performing repetitive motions and lifting and carrying heavy loads. The work environment will vary with duties that require both indoor and outdoor work. This position may require travel and occasionally overnight stays. The Conservation Easement Coordinator must act in WRC’s best interest and carry out responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies, programs and procedures. This position must be a team player, maintain a positive attitude, good communication skills and be respectful and professional towards other staff members, volunteers and guests.

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Land Stewardship Job Duties and Responsibilities (70%):
• Percentage of duties may shift due to easement program growth over time.
• Timely, reliable and consistent physical attendance is an essential function of this position.
• Some weekend and holiday work may be required
• Understand and enforce WRC Visitor Rules and Policies
• Ensure adherence to quality standards of health and safety regulations
• General awareness of safety concerns and reporting issues to supervisor
• Collaborate and maintain good communication with staff.
• Participate in staff, departmental, board, and special team meetings.
• Assist with maintaining WRC facilities
• Assist with trail maintenance and development
• Assist with farm maintenance and assessments
• Provide relevant information to the Land Stewardship Director for board reports and committee meetings.
• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with WRC's organizational policies, programs and procedures.
• Willingness to learn and keep up with current non-profit conservation land management techniques, including soil health research with implications for agriculture and conservation practices. Engage in continuing education for conservation, soil health, sustainable agriculture, easement best practices, and other relevant areas.
• Collaborate with WRC staff for projects that include but are not limited to prescribed burns, invasive species mitigation, brush management, recreational and educational opportunities, accommodations and fundraising.
• Collaborate with WRC staff, interns, volunteers and 3rd Party groups for projects, presentations and tours.
• Help monitor, assess, and map land for planning purposes, impact studies, ongoing research, contract management, etc.
• Acts in the best interest of WRC at all times while representing the organization.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Conservation Easement Duties and Responsibilities (30%):
• Travel to conservation easement properties and meet with landowners to assess compliance with easement requirements. Collect and record landowner and easement data, both qualitative and quantitative. Prepare conservation easement monitoring reports.
• Document and process easement and land program inquiries from interested organizations and landowners
• Understand and communicate easement provisions and regulatory requirements for current and future conservation easements.
• Conduct preliminary evaluations of prospective easements (virtual and physical)
• Perform soil testing or coordinate soil samples and third-party testing when needed.
• Generate internal and external easement and land program maps and reports using ArcPro GIS.
• Analyze land and easement data for accuracy, trends, violations, etc.
• Fulfill easement monitoring & acquisition duties according to Whiterock’s Board policies & LTA Standards and Practices.
• Brief Whiterock Conservancy staff, committee members and Board of Directors on soil health concepts, easements and other topics as requested.
• Assist with enforcement, discretionary approvals and violations, and review monitoring reports, as needed.
• Communicate breach of contract violations through an approved process to the Land Stewardship Director and Executive Director.
• Support landowners and producers in learning about and implementing conservation practices.
• Assists in the development and delivery of professional workshops and presentations.
• Assists in producing data for grants and proposals.
• Assists the marketing staff with educational conservation easement media development and outreach.
• Assists in renewal of Terrafirma insurance
• Assist with implementation of new conservation easements, including project development, baseline documentation, legal descriptions, GIS maps and site inventory.
• Assist with initial contact with private landowners inquiring about permanent land protection.
• Perform other duties and activities as assigned

Preferred Minimum Qualifications - (Education and Experience):
• Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, wildlife biology, botany, environmental resources or related field with minimum 2 years of experience preferred
• Background in contract management, agriculture and conservation
• Familiar with general ecosystem management and Iowa native plant and animal species.
• Proven commitment to conservation of natural resources and agricultural production.
• Proficient computer skills, general experience with ArcGIS Pro software and CRM systems.
• Proficient understanding of conservation easement acquisition and monitoring. Familiar with land donations, reserved life estates and bequests.
• Must have the ability to work successfully with people at all levels and proficient public presentation skills.
• Ability to organize information and effectively collaborate and communicate with staff, landowners, partners, and donors
• Desire to work for a nonprofit organization in a rural setting and live within a 40-minute commute
• Ability to use own vehicle for business related activities (reimbursable under Whiterock Conservancy travel policy).
• Ability to use personal cell phone (with reimbursement) to stay in contact with Whiterock Conservancy staff, volunteers, guests and visitors as needed.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends, willingness to travel for short periods of time
• Strong desire to learn new skills in the conservation, agricultural and outdoor recreation fields
• Ability to work outdoors in extreme weather conditions
• Independently navigate trails and land on-foot, in a UTV, or on a 4-wheeler for miles at a time
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks
• Detail oriented with project management skills
• Ability to work independently and as a positive team member
• Excellent time management and priority skills
• Excellent communication, listening and interpersonal skills
• Professional, respectful and reliable conduct
• Commitment to the mission of WRC

Physical Demands:
• Standing – Approximately more than 2/3 of on-the-job time.
• Walking – Approximately more than 2/3 of on-the-job time.
• Sitting – Approximately less than 1/3 of on-the-job time.
• Use of hands to finger, handle or feel – greater than 2/3 of on-the-job time.
• Reaching with hands and arms – greater than 2/3 of on-the-job time.
• Climbing or balancing – Approximately more than 1/3 of on-the-job time.
• Stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling – more than 1/3 of on-the-job time.
• Weight lifted/Force exerted – Occasionally requires lifting objects up to or more than 50lbs.
• Travel for position up to 10% of the time.
• Works majority of the time in split indoor/outdoor conditions under common weather situations including heat, cold, and inclement weather

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
• Valid Iowa driver’s license
• Human Trafficking Training
• CPR & First Aid Certification
• Basic Wildland firefighting (S130, S190, L180)

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· 3-Month Probationary Period
• Vacation – 10 Days Annually (See Employee Manual for details)
• Paid Holidays – 10 Days Annually
• Health Insurance Package
• 3% IRA Match Retirement Plan
• $40 monthly phone reimbursement
• Sick Leave – 5 days annually (See Employee Manual for details)
• Personal days- 4 days annually (See Employee Manual for details)

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Worksite
• This position is located full-time within the Whiterock Conservancy area located in Coon Rapids, IA.

Whiterock Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. There will be a 3-month probationary period for the successful applicant.

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Application Process

Please email a cover letter, resume, and 3 references to Executive Director Kate Compton: executivedirector@whiterockconservancy.org. Questions? Email or call 712-790-8221 x2.

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Typical Schedule:
• 8 hour shift/40 hour week
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:
• Health insurance
• Retirement plan

Schedule:
• 8 hour shift
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person