Minnesota Senior Field Representative (Remote within Minnesota) at The Conservation Fund

TITLE: Minnesota Senior Field Representative

LINE OF BUSINESS/DIVISION: Conservation Acquisitions/Midwest

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Minnesota Associate State Director

NUMBER OF POSITIONS REPORTING TO THIS POSITION: None

LOCATION: Remote within Minnesota

JOB HIGHLIGHTS

The Minnesota Senior Field Representative will seek, maintain, and complete a portfolio of conservation real estate projects throughout Minnesota. Projects may include, but are not limited to, urban conservation projects such as neighborhood parks, community gardens and multi-use trails, ecologically sensitive tracts, conservation easements on private lands, historically significant sites, recreational trails, and mitigation lands for federal, state, local and private partners. The MN 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.

• Coordinate conservation activities statewide with State Director and MN Conservation Acquisition Team, and other programs working in Minnesota and surrounding states.
• Working with MN municipal and county governments to acquire land for neighborhood parks, multi-use trails, and other community green spaces in underserved and under-resourced urban neighborhoods.
• 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.

WHAT WE NEED YOU TO HAVE

• At least eight years of experience with and mastery of or strong familiarity with conservation and environmental subjects, especially in the state of Minnesota.
• 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.

WHAT WE’D LIKE YOU TO HAVE

• Bachelor’s 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.
• 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.
• Demonstrated affinity for working with diverse populations, specifically in urban communities, on the issues of, environmental and climate protection, economic advancement, and personal commitment to working to achieve greater equity and respect for all.

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 25% per month, with additional day travel required.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $80,000 - $90,000, 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:

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.