Forest Legacy Conservation Easement Assistant

Forest Legacy Conservation Easement Assistant

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is seeking to hire a Forest Legacy Conservation Easement Assistant. This position will serve as a full-time assistant to the Forest Legacy Coordinator within the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Forestry Section. The Forest Legacy Program was established in 2001 for Iowa to identify and assist willing landowners with conserving Iowa’s most important forest areas that are threatened by conversion to non-forest uses.

This program develops conservation easements for Iowa forest landowners that establish guidelines for how that forest is to be sustainably managed into perpetuity.

This new entry-level position will research data for Forest Legacy applications, compile baseline documentation reports for new easements, maintain databases, prepare documents, create maps, assist with paperwork and record keeping and other duties as needed.

This full-time, non-exempt position involves 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with some overnight travel and occasional weekend commitments. The position will be based out of Iowa DNR’s main Des Moines office located at 6200 Park Ave. Des Moines.

• Help with research and writing applications for funding through U.S Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program including coordinating with landowners, site visits, report writing, follow up correspondence, abstract updating, organizing information and documentation.
• Assist with preparation of conservation easement baseline reports including photo documentation, map preparation in Arc Pro and written documentation of natural resource values.
• Accurate and clear documentation of information used in grant writing.

• Maintain land project data and track project progress.
• Prepare legal documents, management plans, brochures and PowerPoint presentations.
• Create maps or shape files in Arc Pro for applications and monitoring. Perform queries to find information or compare information to help with grant applications.
• Assist with site visits and track progress.
• Record keeping according to DNR Standards & Practices.
• Consistent, accurate and timely duties performed. Clear written and verbal communication.

• Participate in professional continuing education programs, as appropriate, to keep current on new developments and programs and to provide for continued personal and professional growth.
• Continued growth through active engagement in relevant trainings, meetings and conferences.

• Administration including staff and department meetings, submitting time and expense reports, and vacation.
• Good time management and communication with staff is maintained. Expense reports are submitted at least monthly. Time cards are submitted bi-weekly.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Familiar with general ecosystem management and Iowa native plant and animal species are essential. Proficient use of Microsoft Office is required.

Ability to create maps in Arc Pro is essential; experience with GPS is a plus. Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent related experience is required.

Ability to organize information and effectively collaborate and communicate with staff, landowners and partners. Team-centered with strong interpersonal skills and attention to detail are essential. Well-organized self-starter, capable of working independently, as well as comfortably,…