Working Lands Conservation Specialist

The Commonwealth of VA Careers is hiring a Working Lands Conservation Specialist to promote conservation and manage projects in western Virginia. The role involves outreach, open-space easement development, and coordination with various stakeholders. The position is based in Salem or Rocky Mount, with opportunities for teleworking. A strong background in land conservation, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in ArcGIS are required. Salary ranges from $65,000 to $75,000.
Title: Working Lands Conservation Specialist


State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I


Hiring Range: $65,000.00-$75,000.00


Pay Band: 4


Agency: Department of Forestry


Location: Charlottesville, Nat Resrcs Dr


Agency Website: www.dof.virginia.gov


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 Virginia’s 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 agency’s 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 driver’s 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: 434-529-7244


Email: kristina.clore@dof.virginia.gov





In support of the Commonwealth’s 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 800-552-5019.


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.