Great Lakes Senior Field Representative

TITLE: Great Lakes Senior Field Representative

LINE OF BUSINESS/DIVISION: Conservation Acquisitions/Midwest Region

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Illinois State Director

NUMBER OF POSITIONS REPORTING TO THIS POSITION: None

LOCATION: Chicago Region - fully remote or hybrid

THE CONSERVATION FUND

The Conservation Fund protects the land that sustains us all. We are in the business of conservation, creating innovative solutions that drive nature-based action in all 50 states for climate protection, vibrant communities and sustainable economies. We apply effective strategies, efficient financing approaches, and enduring government, community and private partnerships to protect millions of acres of Americas natural land, cultural sites, recreation areas and working forests and farms. To learn more, visit www.conservationfund.org.

JOB HIGHLIGHTS

The Great Lakes Senior Field Representative will seek, maintain, and complete a portfolio of conservation real estate projects throughout the Lower Great Lakes region of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Projects may include, but are not limited to, ecologically sensitive tracts, conservation easements on private lands, historically significant sites, recreational trails, and mitigation lands, working with federal, state, local, tribal, and private partners. The Great Lakes 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.

·      Coordinate conservation activities region-wide with the Illinois State Director and Midwest Region teams.

·      Initiate, implement, and deliver conservation real estate transactions. 

·      Identify and engage owners of priority conservation lands. 

·      Negotiate purchase and 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/disposition of lands and easements to public agencies, private landowners, and private non-profit partners. 

·      Build relationships with private/corporate landowners; public agency leaders and staff; private funders; and elected officials. 

·      Manage, grow, and develop new and existing 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 projects.

·      Perform other duties as assigned

WHAT WE NEED YOU TO HAVE

·      At least seven years of experience with and mastery of or strong familiarity with conservation and environmental subjects, especially in the state of Illinois.

·      Experience or strong familiarity with land trusts, conservation real estate work, transaction styles, and open space conservation.

·      Proficiency in various aspects of conservation real estate, including fee simple lands and conservation easements.

·      Familiarity with grant writing and experience with non-profit conservation organizations.

·      Negotiation skills.

·      Attention to detail.

·      Ability and willingness to travel throughout the region to visit partners and project sites.

WHAT WED LIKE YOU TO HAVE

·      Bachelors degree in a related field such as planning, environmental sciences, biology, natural resources management, forestry, political science, and/or natural resource economics.

·      Experience in using ArcMap/ESRI GIS applications is preferred.

·      Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills.

·      Attention to detail and ability to work within deadlines and under pressure.

·      Ability to work with minimal supervision, maintain own schedule in coordination with other staff, demonstrate flexibility and an ability to shift priorities quickly, and a dedication to teamwork.

·      Ability to work positively and cooperatively with the public, TCF staff, conservation professionals and leaders, and private and governmental organizations.

·      Familiarity and experience with the USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).

·      Familiarity and experience with local food systems and sustainable/regenerative agricultural enterprises.

·      Demonstrated affinity for working with diverse and or historically underserved populations on the issues of environmental/land protection and economic advancement, and a personal commitment to working to achieve greater equity and respect for all people.

· A commitment to conservation and the goals of The Conservation Fund.

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 will be     necessary.

·      Willingness to travel as necessary to carry out duties, often with short notice and in inclement weather over long distances.

·      Estimated travel Less than 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.

Compensation details: 85000-95000 Yearly Salary

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