Field Representative, California

The Conservation Fund; Ukiah (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Conservation Fund seeks a Field Representative to identify, develop, and close a portfolio of conservation real estate projects throughout California. You will work with landowners, government agencies, and partners to secure funding and shepherd acquisitions through closing.

Responsibilities include building relationships, negotiating contracts, raising funds, and coordinating due diligence and transfers, while aligning with program teams and timelines.

Qualifications

• Three years of conservation acquisition experience (California preferred).
• Experience with conservation real estate.
• Familiarity with public and private grant funding for conservation nonprofits.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and meet deadlines.
• Ability to travel and collaborate with diverse partners.
• Commitment to conservation and The Conservation Fund goals.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop and complete a portfolio of conservation real estate projects across California.
• Build/manage relationships with funding and land-management agencies and partners.
• Engage landowners and negotiate purchase and sale contracts.
• Raise project funds and monitor budgets.
• Oversee due diligence activities (appraisals, surveys, title work) and coordinate with legal team.
• Coordinate project closings and transfer of lands/easements.
• Collaborate with internal teams to coordinate projects across programs.

Skills

Conservation acquisition

Grant funding

Negotiation

Communication (oral & written)

Deadline management

Teamwork

Public/private partners

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

ArcMap/ESRI GIS

Asana

Job description

The Field Representative will identify, develop and complete a portfolio of conservation real estate projects throughout California. 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 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

• In coordination with the California State Director and Western Region teams, build and manage relationships with state, regional, and local funding agencies; state, federal, and local land management agencies; private non-profits; tribal governments; the private sector; and other partners in order to identify, develop and complete a portfolio of conservation real estate projects throughout California.
• Identify and engage owners of priority conservation lands.
• Negotiate purchase and sale contracts.
• Raise project funds from public and private sources and prepare and track project budgets.
• Manage due diligence activities including appraisals, surveys, title work, site evaluations, and coordinate all with the legal team.
• Coordinate project closing and transfer of lands/easements to partner entities.
• Work with TCF staff in development, finance, communications, and other TCF programs to coordinate projects.

WHAT WE NEED YOU TO HAVE

• At least three years of experience in conservation acquisition or related fields, especially in the state of California.
• Experience with or strong familiarity with conservation real estate.
• Familiarity with public and private grant funding and experience with non-profit conservation organizations.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to work within deadlines and under pressure.
• Negotiation skills.
• 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.
• A commitment to conservation and the goals of The Conservation Fund

WHAT WE'D LIKE YOU TO HAVE

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in environmental sciences, biology, natural resources management, agriculture, forestry, planning, political science, and/or natural resource economics.
• Experience working with California public agencies such as the Wildlife Conservation Board, State Coastal Conservancy, and Department of Conservation.
• Experience working with private philanthropic conservation funding sources.
• Experience sourcing, analyzing, structuring, and negotiating investments in farmland, forestland, or other natural resources.
• Experience using ArcMap/ESRI GIS applications.
• Experience in using project management software, such as Asana.

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 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 inclement weather over long distances.
• Estimated travel - Less than 25% overnight per month, with additional day travel required.

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.

The Conservation Fund is an equalopportunityemployer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.