Lands Program Specialist

Reports to: Director of Lands Dept: Lands and Conservation Classification: Exempt Date: February 2013

Job Summary: Provide comprehensive support to the Lands Program in regards to RMEF lands project selection, funding, tracking, records, reporting, monitoring processes and the Lands staff as necessary. Communicate RMEF mission accomplishment to numerous internal and external parties. Support Lands staff internally and in the field with conservation easements, acquisitions, and other lands transactions.

Essential Functions:

1. Maintain professional working relationships and provide excellent customer service to Board members, staff members, landowners, agency partners and other customers providing project information and other information as needed. This includes creating reports and written responses when appropriate.

2. Process lands project documents to include transaction record keeping and due diligence, correspondence, reports.

3. Create (as needed), edit, and process lands documents including titles commitments, appraisals, baselines, Form 8283s/8282s, MOUs, purchase agreements, conservation easement deeds, legal descriptions, lands closing documents, letters to landowners, etc. Disseminate documents to appropriate RMEF Department, including Lands, Legal, Development, and Accounting.

4. Communicate extensively with RMEF Lands Program Managers, Legal, Accounting, Development and other RMEF staff to successfully complete lands transactions. Attend weekly Land/Legal meeting and other meetings as requested.

5. Create, review, and assess incoming lands programs project information (i.e. contracts, MOUs, grant proposals/reports and research, etc.) for action needed – assimilating and modifying information in the database, obtaining signatures, and/or issuing correspondence and redirecting requests as needed.

6. Maintain all Lands Programs Department database and filing systems, which includes the electronic filing system and the fireproof permanent files. Create and maintain a lands program nomenclature for electronic files and a records retention policy in accordance with Land Trust Alliance standards.

7. Query the projects database to accurately and efficiently respond to requests from RMEF staff, members, volunteers, project partners, the media and general public for project activity details and organizational mission accomplishment information.

8. Assist in the creation, production and cataloging of publications, brochures, photos, presentations, displays, etc. related to RMEF project reporting.

1 9. Work with the RMEF GIS contractor GeoData and Lands Program Managers to produce or assist in project maps for the monthly Lands and Conservation Committee meetings and for Exhibit B of the Deed of Conservation Easement, monitoring photopoint maps, etc. as time allows. Also work with GIS contractor on external requests of RMEF data, completing confidentiality agreements when necessary.

10. Create Standard Operating Procedures and templates and keep the LPM Handbook tab on the intranet up to date.

11. Track and log lands project purchase option agreements, and other contracts, in cooperation with Legal staff to ensure the Program does not miss pertinent deadlines on projects and to ensure deadlines are passed along for long-term tracking.

12. Monitor Conservation Easements as assigned.

13. Assist the Director of Lands with training Lands Program Managers specifically on the lands project processes. Provide administrative support to the Director of Lands and cover meetings when requested.

14. Assist staff or volunteers with researching and acquiring conservation easement donations or other donations, memberships, or funding opportunities.

Additional Responsibilities: Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience: Must have two to five years progressive experience in an office setting, preferably in a non-profit environment. A bachelor’s degree is required in the preferred fields of natural resources, forestry, wildlife management/biology, earth rangeland science, geography or GIS, or similar field. Highly desired are education and/or work experience in lands or real estate, contracts, paralegal work and/or similar positions.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:  Knowledge and support of RMEF mission, goals, organizational structure and activities.  Must be extremely detail oriented and accurate, yet able to remain focused on goals and objectives with constant interruptions.  Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to present to larger groups.  Ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks with conflicting deadlines, and demonstrate flexibility as priorities and deadlines change.  Interact as a functioning, cooperative team player, which includes the ability to cross train with other members of the department.  Thorough knowledge of office practices, procedures and equipment.  Must demonstrate consistent good judgment and a high customer service ethic.  Knowledge of the principles of lands, contracts, and/or real estate; wildlife management and biology; and, the roles and interaction of federal, state and private entities in wildlife and habitat conservation activities.  Ability to work independently with limited direct supervision.

2  Working knowledge of accounting, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and relational databases is required. General knowledge of GIS software is desirable.  Must be able to present self in professional manner and effectively communicate to a wide range of individuals including Board, staff, landowners, volunteers, agency representative, members, and other RMEF customers.

Physical Demands: The employee must sit or stand for long periods of time; use a computer terminal; reach forward and to the side; bend from both standing and sitting position; and lift items weighing various pounds, including heavy lifting. Travel may be required including some overnight travel and weekend trips.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of the job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential function, responsibilities and requirements.

Supervisor: ______Date: ______Vice President: ______Date: ______