Conservation Specialist

Conservation Specialist Position Description

Applications Due May 6, 2024

About Unique Places to Save

Unique Places to Save is an entrepreneurial non-profit that restores and conserves land with high-quality aquatic resources through incentive-driven alignment across our broad range of partners.

We were founded to address unmet needs in the land and natural resource conservation space. By leveraging our entrepreneurial mindset and fostering a culture of innovation, we strive to bring forth creative solutions to safeguard these unique places that bring agricultural, ecological, and natural value. Our fiscal resources and stewardship acumen make us one of the premier partners for conservation and mitigation projects in North America. Scope of the Position This is a full-time team position with UP2S preferably located in the Triangle area of North Carolina. This is a fully remote position with occasional travel required. This position reports directly to the Conservation & Science Directors.

Mitigation Conservation Easement Program Assistance (80% estimated time)

Lead and manage the stewardship program with oversight from the Conservation Director. This includes:

• Develop Baseline Documentation Reports for conservation easements over mitigation and conservation projects.
• Conduct periodic site visits and assess properties/projects being considered for conservation.
• Conduct annual conservation easement monitoring site visits to determine landowner compliance.
• Prepare monthly summaries/updates on potential and real violations documented during monitoring site visits. Establish and maintain documentation of these potential and real violations.
• Follow organizational policies and procedures.
• Ensure all landowner relationships are kept positive, constructive, and current.
• Proactively incorporate current LTA policies, news, updates, legislation, best practices, and other information related to conservation easement stewardship (and other issues as needed).
• Attend any regional meetings, workshops, continuing education or other activities related to conservation, restoration, collaborations, or other efforts.
• Assist Conservation Director and Science Director with land management items related to properties owned by Unique Places to Save.
• Provide support to the Conservation and Executive Directors for business development, research, data acquisition, etc.
• Assist Conservation Director with information management including document acquisition, filing, organization, and updates.

Support Acquisition and Ecological Restoration Coordination Projects (15% estimated time)

• Assist the Science Director with outreach and communication, permitting, and make field visits when necessary.
• Assist with grant applications for additional ecological restoration projects or expansions of current projects.
• Support grant reporting process for secured grants.
• Participate on Trustee and Partner calls/meetings.
• Support partner coordination and communication for conservation and trail building projects.
• Assist the Science Director with ecological restoration/dam removal projects as needed. Includes outreach-related work such as blog post ideas and content generation for dam removals.
• Provide support to the Science Director for business development, research, data acquisition, etc.
• Assist Science Director with information management including document acquisition, filing, organization, and updates.
• Produce baseline documentation reports for non-mitigation program properties, as needed. 

Organization Administration (5% estimated time)

• Support Board meetings by taking minutes and preparing content for board reports.
• Participate on biweekly calls with Science Director and Conservation Director; Trustee and Partner calls/meetings.
• Administrative tasks including notary, bank deposits, mail retrieval, vehicle maintenance, and ensuring all time and record-keeping for work conducted is kept accurate and current. 

Requirements for the Position

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Biology, Botany, Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field. (Preference given to fields related to water resources.)
• Experience with mitigation banking, ecosystem services, land & resource management, and conservation easements are highly desired.
• Experience with “Landscape Conservation Software” https://landconservationsoftware.com/ is highly desired.
• Experience in any of the following fields: water quality, water chemistry, biology/botany, ecology, invasive species management, GIS, photography, surveying, real estate, grant-writing, and business development.
• Knowledge of the southeast U.S. landscape, communities, economies, markets, and biota.
• Ability and willingness to work a minimum of 40 hours per week and be available on occasional evenings and weekends.
• Ability and willingness to travel to other states in the southeast including South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Kentucky.
• Ability, sound judgment, and willingness to conduct field work including paddling on rivers, navigating difficult topography/land cover, and working in remote, natural areas with a priority on safety.
• Willingness to utilize select computer software programs to track projects, clients, and other business-related activities.
• Must possess excellent written, verbal, networking, research, and other communication skills.
• Must be a self-starter, independent, and organized.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment to meet established goals and deadlines.
• Must be committed to our business and organizational goals and strategies and be able to maintain strong, positive, collegial working relationships with outside professional advisors, consultants, and partners.
• The organization does not provide office space or access to the Internet. This is a remote position. Periodic in-person visits for meetings and status updates are required. Remote meetings using online meeting technology are also required on a regular basis.
• Must be willing to contribute to maintaining an ethical, smooth, and efficient work environment. A sense of humor is appreciated, even if it is not that good. 

Other Terms of the Position

• Salary $40,000 - $50,000 per year DOE.
• Four weeks Paid Time Off (PTO), this includes vacation and sick leave.
• Nine (9) paid holidays per year.
• Cellular phone stipend of $50/month included.
• Participation in the QSEHRA health care reimbursement program after 90 days of employment.
• Unique Places to Save has company vehicles for employee use, but in certain instances, candidate may be required to utilize their own transportation. UP2S will reimburse at the federal rate for all business-related travel.

How to Apply

• Cover letter detailing experience and qualifications for the position
• Resume with current contact information
• Three professional references
• NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED