Partner Conservationist- Easement Technician, NRCS Louisiana

Title: ACE Partner Conservationist- Easement Technician, NRCS Louisiana

Department: ACE Conservation Services - NRCS Division

Reports to: Assigned NRCS supervisors; with additional mentorship and administrative reporting to ACE Program Manager, NRCS Division

Location: Ferriday, Louisiana

Status: Regular Full-time, Exempt

Term: Position is fully funded through September 2025

Start Date: May 2022

Position Summary

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit Conservation Corps, is seeking a qualified Easement Technician to provide direct assistance to Louisiana Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) agency staff, landowners and partners involved in the easement program. Specifically, the ACE Partner Conservationist - Easement Technician will provide easement planning, implementation, and management technical assistance, as well as education and outreach for NRCS easement programs.

This opportunity is intended for emerging professionals with a professional and/or academic background in environmental studies or natural resource management with an interest in jointly advancing their career and the stewardship of private lands conservation through purposeful fieldwork, programmatic support and hands-on experience with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Program Background and Objectives:

ACE and NRCS have a mutual interest to conserve, protect, and enhance the nation's wetland ecosystems, as required by Congress through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program- Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) and Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). One of the main objectives of an easement is to restore wetland habitat and to ensure this habitat remains in place.

Louisiana NRCS has a strong history of easement acquisition for the conservation of environmental benefits. Currently there are 1,078 easements statewide, resulting in over 325,000 acres enrolled under permanent or 30- year easement. Easements are located throughout the State's parishes, with concentrations in the northeastern portion of the state, along the Mississippi River Alluvial Valley.

The ACE Easement Technician will provide technical assistance for the timely delivery and support of Louisiana NRCS's Easement Program. Through NRCS training and self-study of available resources, the Easement Technician will become a subject matter expert on the requirements and processes of the easement program. They will use this knowledge to assist landowners and field office staff through enrollment and stewardship activities. They will also be responsible for monitoring a subset of Louisiana's easements through onsite (approximately 20-40 per year) and offsite (up to 500 per year) methods. The split of time in the office and time in the field is approximately 70/30, respectively.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

The Easement Technician will support the Louisiana NRCS Easement Program by:

(1) completing onsite and offsite easement monitoring events;

(2) providing easement acquisition and stewardship assistance;

(3) providing field office and landowner support.

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

Easement Monitoring (40%)

• Complete annual easement program monitoring as assigned to determine habitat maintenance, management, and enhancement needs.

Easement acquisition and stewardship assistance (30%)

• Provide outreach and education to landowners regarding enrollment in NRCS conservation easement programs and easement management.
• Assist with easement program land eligibility documentation such as Hazardous Materials Field Inspection Checklist, Preliminary and Final Certification of Inspection and Possession, and other forms as needed.
• Complete easement boundary survey field reviews
• Develop easement shape files to be used in the acquisition process
• Develop preliminary and final Wetland Reserve Plan of Operation (WRPO) in Conservation Desktop.
• Assist with data entry into national easement tracking database

Field Office/Landowner Support (30%)

• Assist Field Office staff with receiving WRE applications and submitting completed application packets to the State Office
• Assist easement landowners with existing easement management and maintenance needs, including WRPOs for enhancement and/or repairs, and development of Compatible Use Authorizations.
• Assist Field Office with developing easement case files
• Attend and successfully complete training as assigned in order to obtain skills and to meet applicable NRCS standards, specifications and program requirements.
• Support Louisiana NRCS with other related tasks as requested or assigned
• Work collaboratively with partners (NRCS staff, consultants, scientists, engineers, landowners) and maintain strong working relationships.
• Participate in regular calls with ACE NRCS Division Staff.
• Maintain records of time, travel expenses, logistics, and accomplishments; report to ACE in a timely manner.
• Other duties assigned

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Applicants should have at least an undergraduate degree in environmental science/studies, natural resource management, biology, environmental planning, environmental policy, range science, wildlife biology, conservation biology, engineering, or a related field. In lieu of a degree, applicants who can demonstrate at least one year of comparable work experiences for the duties and responsibilities of this position may be accepted. The applicant must document these work experiences in their application.
• Genuine interest and/or knowledge in wetland, upland, and riparian resource management
• Some field work experience; wetlands and associated upland habitat exposure a bonus
• Proficient research, analytical, organization and writing skills
• Knowledge of and experience with GPS units and ArcGIS software
• Strong time management skills; ability and desire to perform multiple and variable tasks
• Strong organizational skills to keep track of workload, tasks, and interactions
• Comfortable communicating directly with federal agency staff, resource professionals, and landowners
• Proven ability to work independently and be a positive, contributing member of a group
• Strong computer management skills including experience with databases and email, Google Earth, iOS, Google Docs, MS Office, etc.
• Comfortable operating, and using a trailer to haul, ATV/UTV equipment
• Ability to work independently in remote outdoor areas; able to hike and walk for extended periods of time, and be capable of moving up to 50 lbs
• Demonstrate sensitivity, understanding and an ability to effectively interact with individuals (internal and external) from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, ability and ethnic backgrounds.

Other Requirements:

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Valid driver's license and an insurable driving record; comfortable driving ACE and/or government vehicles as needed
• Proficient in English
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check
• Willing to abide by ACE Policy and Federal Drug Free workplace policies and laws. ACE reserves the right to drug test at any time
• All ACE members and staff must verify that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the time they start their term/position or request a medical or religious exemption.

Individuals who identify with groups typically under-represented in the conservation industry, including women, non-binary individuals, LGBTQ individuals, and people of color are particularly encouraged to apply.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talks and hears. Manual dexterity required for use of hand and power tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 20 lbs., ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel as needed

Compensation: Starting annualized salary range of $45,000 to $48,000, based on experience and qualifications (40 hours/week for 52-weeks), paid bi-weekly.

Medical/Health Benefits: ACE offers competitive medical and ancillary plans (health, mental health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, and other supplemental benefits). ACE Staff members are also eligible to participate in ACE's 403b retirement plan, which includes a 1% employer contribution for participating, contributing staff.

Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time: As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to accrue up to 80 hours of paid vacation time annually during your first two years of continuous employment, then it increases to 120 hours annually. Additionally, ACE observes 11 paid annual holidays and provides 10 days (or 80 hours) of paid sick time annually.

Additional Benefits:

Outdoor Perks: As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to receive pro deals which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 - 50% off retail prices on 100s of established outdoor gear brands.

Professional Development/Training: Additionally, this position offers emerging professionals the opportunity to gain professional experience within the Natural Resources Conservation Service, attend training, and be mentored by both NRCS and ACE staff.

To Apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter describing why you are a good fit for this position, as well as contact information for three professional or academic references. Qualified applicants will be contacted by email to arrange an interview.

Deadline to apply: Open until position is filled. Accepting applications and interviewing on a rolling basis. Expected start date May 2022

American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Current Openings for Partner Conservationist Easement Technician, NRCS Louisiana Jobs in st-george, Utah (UT) at American Conservation Experience - Staff