Sustainable Land Use Planning Specialist

Ducks Unlimited is seeking a Sustainable Land Use Planning Specialist in Memphis, TN. The role involves developing land-use tracking and sustainable management plans across North America, focusing on conservation efforts. Key responsibilities include project management, GIS analysis, stakeholder collaboration, and conservation planning. Candidates should have a relevant degree and 3-5 years of experience in conservation or land-use planning. Benefits include health insurance and paid time off.
About the position

The Sustainable Land Use Planning Specialist at Ducks Unlimited, Inc. will be responsible for developing and managing land-use tracking and sustainable management plans for various landscapes across North America, focusing on U.S. and privately/corporately owned lands. This role is critical in supporting the organization's conservation programs and will involve project management, technical leadership, and collaboration with various stakeholders to enhance habitat protection and restoration efforts.

Responsibilities
• Coordinate land inventories and data management with DU Staff and partners
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• Lead collaborative efforts to develop parcel, watershed, and landscape conservation plans
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• Conduct desktop GIS analysis and arrange field assessments
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• Analyze conservation alternatives and develop conservation plans/recommendations
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• Identify and convene stakeholders/collaborators
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• Serve as a project manager for corporate land use and watershed planning projects
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• Collaborate with DU Staff and Partners to track and account for habitat improvements
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• Research and document sustainable land-use frameworks and principles
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• Support the identification of overlap between corporate objectives and DU habitat projects
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• Support DU's internal efforts to conduct strategic land protection plans
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• Conduct targeted outreach to potential partners and landowners
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• Integrate DU's Land Protection, GIS, and Sustainability data into planning

Requirements
• M.S. or B.S. in Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, Geography, Urban or Regional Planning, Conservation, Landscape Architecture or similar degree
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• 3-5 years of professional experience in conservation planning or land-use/watershed planning
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• Experience utilizing geospatial data sets and tools for conservation planning
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• Project management experience involving multiple stakeholders
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• Knowledge of ecology/ecosystem science, particularly with floodplains, wetlands, grasslands, and forests
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• Excellent oral and written communication skills
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• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
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• Ability to manage competing priorities and complete projects independently
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• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, and Office

Nice-to-haves
• Proficiency with ESRI products: ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online
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• Experience working with wetlands and their associated uplands
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• Strong quantitative skills including experience in R programming or similar coding language
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• Familiarity with corporate disclosure frameworks around nature and biodiversity

Benefits
• Paid holidays
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• Health insurance
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• Dental insurance
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• 401(k)
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• Tuition reimbursement
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• Dependent health insurance coverage
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• Vision insurance
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• 401(k) matching
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• Paid sick time