Natural Resource Specialist

Job Description

The Natural Resource Specialist is the direct liaison between LCHIP and its community partners, applicants, and state and federal agencies when it comes to areas of land and natural resource protection.  The position requires the ability to work well within a team environment, communicate effectively with internal and external partners, maintain accurate and up-to-date records, and to integrate the knowledge of natural resources with the practical application of the comparative value of those resources across the state.  The Natural Resource Specialist must have a degree related to natural and/or cultural resources and a minimum of 3-5 years of experience in any of the following or related areas or a combination thereof required: natural resource protection, real estate transaction, environmental or natural resource law, conservation easements, and  land management/stewardship.  The Natural Resource Specialist reports directly to the Executive Director.

Although the responsibilities of the position may overlap, the general requirements of the position are below: 

Administration (25%)

1. Prepares guidance materials for applicants, researches other practices and makes recommendations for Program improvement.
2. Helps develop organizational policy and guidelines for funding and project implementation.
3. Helps develop project criteria, priorities and focus areas.
4. Reviews project proposals with Executive Director, Board of Directors and review panels, and prepares materials for panel reviews and Board decisions.
5. May supervise and coordinate activities of consultants in carrying out project implementation.
6. Maintains all Natural Resource Project information including physical files, electronic files, and database records.
7. Proficiently uses Microsoft Office products for the completion of assigned duties.
8. Other administrative tasks as assigned

 Project Management (60%)

9. Works with grant applicants on the following areas:
   1. Reviewing project proposals and applications for funding consideration
   2. Project implementation
   3. Real estate transactions
   4. Negotiating and developing deed language
   5. Negotiating and developing conservation easement language
   6. Stewardship plan development/improvement
   7. Contract development and execution
   8. Baseline documentation
   9. Environmental assessments
   10. Surveys
   11. Appraisals
10. Works with partner NGOs and State Agencies and Departments in coordinating project elements.
11. Provides information back to Executive Director and the Board of Directors on projects.
12. Coordinates stewardship compliance and maintains accurate monitoring files for all funded projects.
13. Intermittent travels instate to visit project sites, meet with applicants and fulfill other job responsibilities as assigned. Travel may be limited at some times of the year and extensive during grant application periods. 
14. Visits each project site during application period and thereafter during the project lifecycle.  As such must be physically capable of walking many miles in a day on site visits regardless of weather and topography.   

Public and Partner Relations (15%)

15. Works with other like organizations to coordinate programs and events.
16. Attends occasional evening and weekend meetings and/or events related to projects, project implementation and/or Program resource areas.
17. Prepares for and holds workshops to assist applicants in the development of application materials.
18. Develops and maintains partnerships with NGOs and State Agencies and Departments
19. May publicly present information on LCHIP or land conservation to municipalities, NGO’s or other interested groups.
    
    
    

    This position will be a non-benefit temporary part time position for an average of 30 hours per week for up to ten (10) months with the potential of going to regular part time at the conclusion of the ten month period.  Previous grant-making or grant-seeking experience is preferred.  Due to the sensitive and competitive nature of the grant-making process and possible conflicts of interest, candidates for this position who plan to continue employment or affiliation with any potential LCHIP applicant organization will not be considered. Email cover letter and resume to info@lchip.org.  Application deadline is July 8, 2010.