CONSERVATION SPECIALIST POSITION
Ozark Land Trust (www.ozarklandtrust.org) is seeking a full-time Conservation Specialist. The salary range is $42,000-$47,000, depending on suitable and relevant experience.
OLT seeks a Conservation Specialist to visit, observe and report on the condition of the lands it protects as well as assist with new land protection projects. The position will report to OLT’s Conservation Program Manager or equivalent position (also currently being filled).
Responsibilities
Core Tasks
- Visiting properties as assigned, both in person and through aerial imagery, to compare their current condition to their condition when OLT first protected them, to ensure there are no threats to the conservation values of the properties.
- Coordinating with landowners of private protected lands to arrange for visits. Meeting in person and virtually to gather input from owners of such properties about changes in condition of the lands.
- Completing required forms and reports in OLT’s stewardship database to note the condition of the property, any comments from the landowner, or any knowledge derived from researching adjacent or nearby activities that might have an impact on the protected land.
- Maintaining records in OLT’s database so that consistent and reviewable information can be accessed by OLT staff as needed.
- Working through the process of any violations of conservation easements in conjunction with the Conservation Program Manager, Executive Director and OLT’s Land Conservation Committee and Board.
- Attending OLT staff, board, and committee meetings as well as other virtual and live events as appropriate.
Potential Additional Tasks, depending on the successful candidate’s background, availability and work being completed by other staff members.
- Developing and revising management plans for the OLT owned properties, in tandem with other staff and OLT volunteer.
- Performing initial site assessments for potential projects and baseline documentation for new projects.
- Meeting with interested landowners and assisting them with the conservation project application process
- Serving as an outreach liaison for OLT in community and informal meetings with existing and potential landowners and OLT volunteers and supporters
- Supporting general staff efforts when and if needed to the extent that time permits beyond the core work described above
Candidate Qualifications
Candidates should have a passion for the outdoors and OLT’s mission; be familiar with forest and/or natural resource management typical to the Ozarks, and have the ability to recognize and report on natural, built and disturbed lands. Basic experience using handheld GPS is necessary. Some experience with mapping software and/or GIS platforms is preferred. Experience working within and managing databases is a plus.
A strong ability to interact with a wide variety of landowners and others in a respectful and thoughtful manner is required. An ability to hike moderate distances, work outside, operate a 4-wheel drive vehicle, and lift moderate loads, sometimes in adverse weather conditions, is required. Much of the outside work will be performed alone. Evening and weekend work may be required from time to time as needed to coordinate with landowners and others.
The position requires at least a bachelor’s degree or, in limited circumstances, commensurate work experience. An education in natural resources is highly desirable, with GIS/mapping coursework a plus. Experience with a conservation-related or similar organization is preferred.
This is a home-based position but with travel across the Ozark region. Travel costs will be reimbursed pursuant to OLT policies. OLT utilizes both staff members’ vehicles and rental cars, depending on the situation.
About Ozark Land Trust
Ozark Land Trust is the operating trade name of Ozark Regional Land Trust, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, that is incorporated in the State of Missouri and Arkansas. It is the policy of the Ozark Land Trust to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, age, disability, religion, national origin, sexual or affectional preference, or marital/civil union status.
In addition to OLT’s website, OLT maintains social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and also communicates with its members via digital and paper newsletters.
OLT is a nonprofit organization founded in 1984 that protects land throughout the Ozark bioregion in both Missouri and Arkansas. Currently, OLT protects about 31,000 acres on about 100 properties in the Ozarks, permanently conserving forests, working landscapes, watersheds and other natural resources. OLT protects lands in a variety of ways, from ownership to protective conservation easements, to on- the-ground restoration. Both publicly accessible and private lands are within OLT’s portfolio of conserved properties. OLT is a nationally accredited land trust, meaning the organization adheres to recognized standards and practices in its governance, finance, transactions and stewardship.
To Apply
Applicants should submit a cover letter and a resume to: Larry Levin, Executive Director at larry.levin@ozarklandtrust.org with the Subject Line: “Conservation Specialist.”
