Working Lands Conservation Specialist

Title: Working Lands Conservation Specialist

State Role Title:Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $65000.00-$75000.00

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Department of Forestry

Location:Charlottesville Nat Resrcs Dr

Agency Website:

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Office of Working Lands Preservation within the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is seeking a Conservation Specialist to promote working lands conservation and manage related projects throughout the western region of Virginia. The Office of Working Lands Preservation was created by the General Assembly to focus on the conservation of Virginias forests and farms. Projects are primarily open-space easements and also include outreach to internal and external partners on a range of tools to conserve and sustainably manage working lands. Travel is required to project locations within the western region and occasionally to DOF headquarters in Charlottesville.

This position will be based in Salem or Rocky Mount with opportunities for teleworking arrangements.

Responsibilities:
Open-Space Easement Development (50%)
Serve as an agency expert on open-space easements and other conservation tools
Initial outreach and communications with landowners
Conduct in-depth due diligence for easement and fee simple acquisitions
Lead the negotiation development and closing of open-space easements
Generate project maps to document the property and conservation values
Work closely with citizen-landowners real estate professionals agency coworkers other state agencies grant-making organizations local planning districts county governments and non-profit organizations to complete working land conservation projects

Outreach & Partnership Coordination (35%)
Perform outreach and education about working land conservation tools including participating in the agencys Generation NEXT Program with Virginia Cooperative Extension
Provide technical professional and other assistance to local governments interested in developing additional working lands preservation policies and programs
Coordinate with state partners on conservation planning and funding initiatives
Coordinate with non-governmental partners on joint outreach and educational efforts

Program Support (15%)
Contribute to monitoring and stewarding open-space easements
Participate in staff meetings and training activities
Maintain accurate records

Minimum Qualifications

Demonstrated excellent presentation skills; effective oral written and inter-personal communication skills
Experience with working lands conservation tools including open-space easements and local planning methods
Knowledge of general land conservation strategies and familiarity with the legal financial and scientific considerations involved in land conservation
Familiarity with national conservation easement and stewardship issues trends and policies including the Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices
Strong ArcGIS competency with the ability to create maps edit and manipulate data.
Physical fitness appropriate for extensive examinations of land and excellent field work skills including use of maps and GPS
Able to manage a dynamic project portfolio complete projects and meet deadlines
Ability to solve problems within scope of responsibility
Ability to travel throughout the region with overnight stays occasionally required
Able to keep accurate and detailed records
Proficiency using a PC Microsoft Office software
Valid drivers license

Additional Considerations

Knowledge or experience related to tools and strategies to promote the intergenerational transfer of property or business interests
Five or more years of experience managing conservation real estate projects or stewarding tracts with perpetual conservation restrictions
Demonstrated knowledge of real estate transactions including but not limited to appraisals title work environmental due diligence investigations surveys maps closing procedures aerial photos zoning tax and policy issues.
Virginia-specific knowledge of local planning regulations taxes land use issues and conservation grant funding programs

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to Your Application in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The Virginia Department of Forestry is an Emergency Response agency as such all employees may be required to provide support during emergency situations; this may include nights weekends or holidays as the need arises.

Contact Information

Name: Kristina Clore

Phone:

Email:

In support of the Commonwealths commitment to inclusion we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation if applicable to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at .

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1 2022- February 29 2024 can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.