Milwaukee Program Associate at The Conservation Fund

TITLE: Milwaukee Program Associate

LINE OF BUSINESS/DIVISION: Conservation Acquisitions/Midwest Region

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Milwaukee Program Director

NUMBER OF POSITIONS REPORTING TO THIS POSITION: 0

LOCATION: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

JOB HIGHLIGHTS

The Milwaukee Program Associate is a key part of the team, including the Milwaukee Program Director and the Milwaukee Field Representative, to implement the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage Districts (MMSD) Greenseams and Working Soils programs. Greenseams is a land acquisition program that protects hydric soils and connects publicly owned parcels of land along river corridors in a four-county area. Working Soils, a complimentary program to Greenseams, permanently conserves working agricultural lands through acquisition of conservation easements to protect water retention abilities and improve water quality in collaboration with the Milwaukee River Watershed Conservation Partnership. The Program Associate is responsible for managing real estate due diligence and closings, supporting outreach and transactions, generating reports, and conducting administrative office operations. The Program Associate works in collaboration with a team of professionals within MMSD; outside contracted real estate service providers; local municipal, county and state government staff; area land trusts; community nonprofits; MMSDs Program Manager, and The Conservation Fund (The Fund)s staff.

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.

• Manage due diligence process and review products for real estate transactions (includes coordinating with MMSD and The Funds staff, landowners, legal counsel, surveyors, appraisers, and environmental hazard assessors);
• Provide Technical Assistance such as partner development, Greenseams and Working Soils Program management, outreach communications, and grant writing;
• Negotiate sales contracts;
• Coordinate project closing and transfer of lands/easements to public agency and private non-profit partners.
• Build and maintain relationships with landowners, including generating mailing lists, conducting mailings, developing written materials, and tracking communications related to priority parcels within Greenseams and Working Soils project areas;
• Track progress of active and pending transactions and lead weekly team project status meetings;
• Timely prepare quarterly invoices to MMSD for the Funds contractual services under Greenseams and Working Soils contracts, in coordination with the Funds Finance team;
• Oversee and update Baseline Documentation Reports, Transfer Packets, and produce Annual Monitoring Reports per applicable standards and requirements;
• Monitor eased lands annually to ensure compliance with easement terms per applicable monitoring standards;
• Employ GIS software to create maps and conduct site analysis;
• Participate and act independently on behalf of the Greenseams and Working Soils programs within regional work groups, committees, and projects to further the goals of each Program;
• Explore new business opportunities for The Conservation Fund;
• Assume lead on projects as assigned.

WHAT WE NEED YOU TO HAVE

• Minimum of 2-4 years of professional work experience.
• Experience with real estate transactions; land conservation; grant administration; contracting; or project management.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, demonstrating flexibility and teamwork within an entrepreneurial environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public presentations.
• Willingness and ability to work cooperatively with a wide range of individuals and organizations with diverse backgrounds.
• Computer skills including word processing, e-mail, PowerPoint and spreadsheets.
• Working knowledge of ESRI GIS software.
• Attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines under pressure.
• Ability to travel in order to reach various field locations.
• Commitment to the mission and goals of The Conservation Fund.

WHAT WED LIKE YOU TO HAVE

• Bachelors degree preferred.
• Strong technical skills with GIS and ESRI products, and handheld Global Positioning Systems (GPS), are a plus.

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, often with short notice and in inclement weather over long distances.
• Estimated travel 15% per month within the Program area, with additional day travel required.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $65,000, 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.
• Retirement plan discretionary company contribution.
• Company contributions to HSA account.
• Company-paid paid life insurance, AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term disability insurance subject to the plan maximum.
• Continuing education benefit for approved programs.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).
• Generous paid vacation, sick and floating holidays.
• Six weeks paid parental leave.
• 14 paid holidays

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

***Cover letter and resume required for consideration***

Frequently cited statistics show that women and people from underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they think they meet 100% of the criteria. If you meet many but not all the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for the role, The Conservation Fund encourages you to apply.

The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit corporation, is an Equal Opportunity Employer that fully and actively supports equal access for all people regardless of Race, Color, Religion, Gender, Age, National Origin, Veteran Status, Disability, Genetic Information or Testing, Family and Medical Leave status, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression. The Fund prohibits retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint, or otherwise oppose discrimination.

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