The Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) is seeking a full-time Conservation Assistant to assist with regional conservation duties. The position will operate in and around Bedford County, including Botetourt, Roanoke, Craig, Alleghany, portions of Rockbridge, Amherst, Campbell, Pittsylvania, Henry, and Franklin Counties, as well as the Cities of Lynchburg, Roanoke, and Danville.
Approximately 70% travel will be required for regional job duties, training, and staff meetings. Telework is mandatory; however, the candidate must reside within one of the localities mentioned above. A dedicated VOF vehicle will be provided for official VOF business purposes only, as well as a laptop, smartphone, and related peripherals. Starting salary is $45,000-48,000 (depending on experience) with benefits including health, vision, dental, 401k, STD/LTD, FSA, life insurance, and a generous PTO plan. EEO/AA. The position closes May 31, 2023.
- Work 40 hours per week.
- Work regionally, with frequent travel required throughout the service area.
- Assist with assigned duties including, but not limited to, open-space easement monitoring, interpretations and reviews, landowner education, digital file organization, and other assistance, which will entail, in part:
- Traveling across the designated region to conduct site visits.
- Visiting easement properties to document any physical changes using GPS, digital photography, iPhone applications and GIS.
- Creating maps and manipulating data using ArcView 10.
- Contacting and maintaining good relationships with easement property owners and their representatives.
- Maintaining accurate documentation in digital files on cloud storage site and custom database.
- Researching courthouse deeds and county land use and development records.
- Assisting with GIS editing and map creation.
- Assisting other staff with documentation, mapping and filing.
- Assisting easement owners with land management issues.
- Other general office duties and support.
- Participate in training activities, as required.
- Participate in staff meetings, as required.
- A degree in Planning, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science, Civil, Agricultural, or Environmental Engineering, or related field, from an accredited college or university preferred/desirable, or demonstrated experience that would provide the skills and abilities listed.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license.
- Ability to work with minimum supervision.
- Ability to work alone or in teams on projects, including site visits to properties in remote and rural areas.
- Demonstrated experience with ArcView 10, GPS, and similar applications.
- Demonstrated experience interpreting official land records.
- Demonstrated experience in using aerial imagery, iPhone applications, compass and GPS for monitoring and navigating properties.
- Demonstrated computer skills using Microsoft Office, including word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation applications.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively interpret boundary surveys, property descriptions, and other related materials.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Detail-oriented.
Cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references required as part of application.
Reasonable Accommodation: During the selection process, applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation.
The Virginia Outdoors Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or disability.
Physical Requirements: Must be able to sit and stand for long periods of time. Must be able to walk/hike for extended periods of time over varied terrain and in changing weather conditions. Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
Questions or requests related to the position can be emailed to the Human Resources Manager, Sara Brooks at sbrooks@vof.org.
The position closes May 31, 2023.