Regional Habitat Manager - SW

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is a mission-driven non-profit dedicated to ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. Since our founding in 1984, we have helped conserve nearly one square mile of elk country every day. In partnership with others, we have conserved or enhanced more than 9.1 million acres, including improving public access to 1.6 million acres. Our impact will extend to 10 million acres by 2030.

RMEF is proud of our conservation successes and is committed to making an even larger impact in the future. RMEF is seeking an experienced natural resource professional to provide expertise on conservation easement stewardship as well as wildlife habitat best practices and needs within the Southwest Region. Responsibilities include:

• Lead stewardship of RMEF-held conservation easements (CE) in the southwest (currently 121 easements across AZ, CA, CO, NM, NV, UT).
• Resolve CE actions, requests, violations, sales and ownership transfers, ministerial amendments, etc.
• Maintain landowner relationships
• Advise RMEF stakeholders on wildlife and habitat management best practices for the region. 

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of conservation in a dynamic, mission-driven environment. 

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources or related field
• Five plus years of full-time professional experience in the real estate, wildlife conservation, land management or stewardship field or a combination of these areas 
• Demonstrated understanding of wildlife and wildlife habitat 
• Experience in developing and maintaining relationships with state and federal agencies and land trusts
• Experience working in conservation easement stewardship and compliance

Location: This position is remote however the successful candidate must be located in the southwest region of the United States (Colorado preferred). 

Travel Requirement: Regular travel within the southwest region is required. Periodic travel outside the southwest region is also required. Evening and weekend work may be required.  

Job Summary: 

The Regional Habitat Manager position fulfills the organization’s interest and obligations under voluntary conservation agreements after the closing of a conservation easement (CE). The manager also provides technical expertise on wildlife and habitat best practices to a variety of conservation stakeholders within the region. The position will assist in developing and furthering regional organizational operating plans where mission projects will be pursued within the region, however, this position may be asked to work outside this area as well. The position occasionally serves to support regional land conservation and access, and advocacy priorities, as directed. 

Priority Essential Functions: 

1) CE Stewardship - Serve as regional lead implementing and completing stewardship, and as directed monitoring, of RMEF CEs and land holdings within the region adhering to policies, procedures and annual goals. The position will resolve CE actions, requests, violations, sales and ownership transfers, ministerial amendments, notice of reserved rights, prepare and/or update plans (forestry, wildlife, grazing), resource management activities and more activities related to RMEF’s largest private land stakeholder. Maintain landowner relationships, provide technical assistance and advise on best management practices for habitat and wildlife management activities.

2) Habitat Stewardship & Wildlife Management - Serve as a regional habitat stewardship and wildlife management contact addressing priority wildlife and habitat issues. Maintain relationships with relevant land management organizations, CE third party funding partners and private landowners to address required obligations or notifications, conduct site visits, identify priority habitat needs for elk and other big game in each state within the region and incorporate into the mission division’s regional planning. Advise RMEF stakeholders on wildlife and habitat management best practices for the region. Ensure adequate communication with appropriate RMEF departments and field staff within your region of focus. 

Essential Functions Continued: 

3) Integrate habitat and wildlife management activities into lands and access projects and serve as contact on regional land conservation and access projects, where appropriate and/or requested, working with regional mission operations and RMEF granting programs. 

4) Mission Stakeholders - Network with a variety of public land agencies, corporations, land trusts, conservation organizations and individuals to seek clear project and partnership deliverables. Attend relevant state/regional meetings, act as an advisor on priority working groups/committees, contribute expertise and increase RMEF mission delivery visibility. 

5) Maintain complete files and communications on project activity within RMEF platforms and in accordance with RMEF policy and operating procedures.

6) Maintain fiscal responsibility through annual budgets and land transaction negotiations. 

7) Advocacy - When appropriate, and as approved and directed, assist with engagement in local land and agency commission efforts by presenting projects, researching background and drafting responses on best practices.

8) Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervision of Others: This position will not supervise staff. 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1. Thorough knowledge and support of RMEF mission, goals, organizational structure and activities and the ability to promote them.
2. Working knowledge of conservation easements and other real estate tools. Experience working in conservation easement stewardship and compliance. 
3. Knowledge and comprehension of biology, habitat relationships and basic principles of wildlife ecology, range and forest management.
4. Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work constructively with a wide variety of entities internally and externally. Experience in working collaboratively with private landowners. 
5. An understanding of the responsibilities and mission of public land management organizations, public wildlife management organizations and nonprofit conservation organizations. Knowledge of conservation planning and working on landscape scales.
6. Ability to perceive and establish long-term goals to develop and implement projects that are cohesive, progressive, mission oriented and cost effective. Demonstrated ability to handle changing priorities and conflicting deadlines. Must be detail oriented and accurate.
7. Ability to work independently and to remain focused on goals and objectives. Ability to work as a team player, lead a project and cooperate in a task.
8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with RMEF stakeholders and conduct professional presentations and events. 
9. Ability to represent RMEF in a professional manner.
10. Proficient in and knowledgeable of computer applications specifically Microsoft Office and relational databases. 
11. Ability to work with digital photography/imagery, GIS and mapping skills is preferable.
12. Ability to develop and manage a budget. 

Physical Demands:

The incumbent will encounter both office and field conditions. Office work will require sitting or standing for long periods of time, frequent use of office equipment such as telephones, scanners and computers, and light lifting, bending and physical exertion. Travel by automobile, airplane, horse, foot or mechanized ORVs may be required. Evening work and weekend work may be required. 

RMEF Benefits:

RMEF provides a competitive and comprehensive benefit package.  

1. Health (including prescription coverage), Dental, & Vision insurance
2. Medical Savings Account: The Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Medical Spending Account is available to eligible employees
3. Retirement 403 (b) Plan: RMEF currently matches up to 5% of an employee’s contribution to the 403(b) plan for eligible employees. Employees may participate immediately and are vested immediately. RMEF also offers pretax 403(b) and Roth 403(b) options
4. Paid Time Off: PTO starts accruing immediately at a rate of 4.92 hours per payday for fulltime eligible employees and goes up with years of employment.
5. Extended Illness Bank: EIB starts accruing immediately at a rate of 4.92 hours per payday for fulltime, eligible employees. This leave can be used immediately. EIB accruals cap at 240 hours
6. Paid Holidays (nine days)
7. Employee Assistance Program
8. Life Insurance Coverage
9. Short Term/Long Term Disability