TITLE: Colorado and Southwest Field Representative

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: VP & Regional Director, Southwest

LOCATION: Niwot, Colorado (office location preferred for at least two days/week)

THE CONSERVATION FUND

The Conservation Fund protects the land that sustains us all. We are in the business of conservation, creating innovative solutions that drive nature-based action in all 50 states for climate protection, vibrant communities and sustainable economies. We apply effective strategies, efficient financing approaches, and enduring government, community and private partnerships to protect millions of acres of America’s natural land, cultural sites, recreation areas and working forests and farms. To learn more, visit www.conservationfund.org.

JOB HIGHLIGHTS

The Field Representative will seek, maintain, and complete a portfolio of conservation real estate projects throughout Colorado and the Southwest Region. Projects may include, but are not limited to, ecologically sensitive tracts, open space parcels near communities, conservation easements on private lands, historically significant sites, and mitigation lands for federal, state, local and private partners. The Field Representative will work cooperatively with landowners, government agencies, and other partners to initiate projects, secure funding, and shepherd projects through the acquisition and disposition process.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Coordinate conservation activities statewide with Colorado Director and Western teams.
• Initiate and implement conservation real estate transactions.
• Identify and engage owners of priority conservation lands.
• Negotiate sales contracts.
• Raise project funds from public and private sources and prepare and track project budgets.
• Oversee due diligence activities including appraisals, surveys, title policies, site evaluations, and coordinate all with TCF-Legal team.
• Coordinate project closing and transfer of lands/easements to public agency and private non-profit partners.
• Build relationships with private/corporate landowners; public agency leaders and staff; private funders; and elected officials.
• Manage and grow relationships with key partners in public agencies, the private sector, other NGOs, and within TCF.
• Work with TCF staff in development, finance, media and other TCF programs to coordinate in-state projects.

WHAT WE NEED YOU TO HAVE

• At least five years of experience with and mastery of or strong familiarity with land conservation and environmental issues, especially in the state of Colorado.
• Experience or strong familiarity with land trusts, conservation real estate work, transaction styles, and open space conservation.
• Proven experience working with landowners.
• Familiarity with grant writing and experience with non-profit conservation organizations.

WHAT WE’D LIKE YOU TO HAVE

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as business, environmental sciences, biology, natural resources management, forestry, political science, and/or natural resource economics.
• Familiarity with Colorado geography and conservation resources.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to work within deadlines and smile under pressure.
• Negotiation skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, maintain own schedule in coordination with other staff, demonstrate flexibility and an ability to shift priorities quickly, and a dedication to teamwork.
• Ability to work positively and cooperatively with the public, TCF staff, conservation professionals and leaders, and private and governmental organizations.
• A commitment to conservation and the goals of The Conservation Fund.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Some lifting and carrying will be necessary – up to 20 pounds.
• Work is performed in both an office setting and in outdoor settings in all weather conditions. 
• When visiting conservation sites, the ability to traverse all terrain in outdoor/all weather conditions will be necessary.
• Willingness to travel as necessary to carry out duties, including long distance and/or overnight trips, occasionally involving short notice or inclement weather.
• Estimated travel – Less than 25% per month, with additional day travel required. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $85,000, and the position is eligible for opportunities to earn performance-based bonus compensation. Please note: Salary range provided is an estimate and will be evaluated on an individual basis, taking into consideration the candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, and education. The final salary offer will be determined accordingly.

The Fund offers a highly competitive package of benefits including:

• Employer contributions for comprehensive medical, vision and dental insurance packages.
• Company contributions to HSA account.
• 14 paid holidays.
• Generous paid vacation, sick and floating holidays.
• Retirement plan discretionary company contribution.
• Company-paid paid life insurance, AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term disability insurance subject to the plan maximum
• Six weeks paid parental leave.
• Continuing education benefit for approved programs.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).