State of Utah
Lands Specialist/ Conservation Easement
State of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84193
Job Title: Lands Specialist/ Conservation Easement Acquisition Coordinator Job Description: Under the guidance of the Forest Legacy and Sovereign Lands Programs,this new position will play an essential role in land transactions and the implementation and acquisition of conservation easements,as well as the drafting of permits,leases,easements,and other encumbrances. It provides key support to Utah s Forest Legacy Program including advancing conservation easement and fee-title acquisition projects on privately-owned forest lands throughout the state. The position will be responsible for a variety of duties which may include: review of property appraisals; property accountability,tracking,and acquisitions; negotiating or preparing contracts,easements,permits,and land use agreements; title searches and reviews; drafting of conservation easements,baseline documentation and related mapping; and completion of competitive grant applications for federal funding. Incumbents perform such duties and responsibilities with minimal supervision. Principal Duties:
Assist on a variety of proposed and funded conservation easement projects.Assist program managers on a variety of project types to draft,finalize and process deeds,cooperative agreements.Draft,finalize,review,and collect due diligence items required for funded conservation easement projects. This includes items/duties such as: title assurances,minerals ownership determinations,baseline documents,water rights,option agreements,drafting conservation easements,and appraisals.Using state procurement procedures,coordinate and contract services such as land surveys,Phase 1 environmental assessments,appraisals,and other due diligence items.Assist with monitoring site visits throughout the state.Collaborate with new applicants on writing competitive grant funding applications for new projects,including multiple edits and revisions as suggested by interagency review panels.Collaborate with private landowners,land trust partners,and state and federal agencies.Maintain detailed records and adhere to program guidelines.Meet and confer with management,users,and contract providers to resolve problems and coordinate services.Write,review,and/or negotiate grants,contracts and/or agreements in consultation with the Assistant Attorney General.Draft and process permits,leases,easements,and other encumbrances.Gather data,prepare reports and/or summarize information.Maintain property inventory records for fixed assets; account for acquisitions and disposals; may conduct on-sight reviews to validate inventory accounting; provide consultation to staff regarding inventory control mechanisms.Acquire and use Geographic Information System (GIS) data to perform project research and create maps.
Ideal Candidate:
Familiarity with principles and practices of land conservation,land use planning,and natural resource management.Land transaction experience,including knowledge of required due diligence items such as: title assurances,minerals ownership determinations,baseline documents,Phase 1 environmental assessments,water rights,option agreements,drafting conservation easements,and appraisal processes.Ability to interpret laws,ordinances,codes,rules and regulations relating to land use issues,permits,easements,and leases.Land trust experience.Knowledge of the Public Trust Doctrine.Experience with realty transactions.Knowledge of conservation easements and related funding programs.Natural resources background.Paralegal experience.Budget administration experience.Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS),Microsoft Offi ce (Word,Excel) and Adobe.Familiarity with the USDA Forest Service s Forest Legacy Program.Experience with leading several projects at once with varying deadlines,requirements and complexities.The ability to be detailed-oriented yet broadly mission-aware.Demonstrated excellence in grant writing.The ability to be a self-starter but also possesses the ability to work within a defined chain-of-command.Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision but also as part of a team.Bachelor s degree in natural resources,law,real estate.Proven project management,organizational and time management skills.
Why You Should Join Our Team: The Division of Forestry,Fire & State Lands (FFSL) is a progressive,diverse agency responsible for forest stewardship,managing wildland fires,and managing sovereign lands in Utah. As the Lands Specialist,you will have the opportunity to work with FFSL Forestry and Sovereign Lands program managers,US Forest Service program leaders and other State and land trust partners to make a positive impact on forestry activities in Utah,particularly related to the conservation and management of private and sovereign lands. In addition,the State of Utah offers great benefits and generous paid time off. This position provides opportunity to spend time in the office and in the field. The Agency: If you would like more information about working for the Department of Natural Resources please click here.
Assist on a variety of proposed and funded conservation easement projects.Assist program managers on a variety of project types to draft,finalize and process deeds,cooperative agreements.Draft,finalize,review,and collect due diligence items required for funded conservation easement projects. This includes items/duties such as: title assurances,minerals ownership determinations,baseline documents,water rights,option agreements,drafting conservation easements,and appraisals.Using state procurement procedures,coordinate and contract services such as land surveys,Phase 1 environmental assessments,appraisals,and other due diligence items.Assist with monitoring site visits throughout the state.Collaborate with new applicants on writing competitive grant funding applications for new projects,including multiple edits and revisions as suggested by interagency review panels.Collaborate with private landowners,land trust partners,and state and federal agencies.Maintain detailed records and adhere to program guidelines.Meet and confer with management,users,and contract providers to resolve problems and coordinate services.Write,review,and/or negotiate grants,contracts and/or agreements in consultation with the Assistant Attorney General.Draft and process permits,leases,easements,and other encumbrances.Gather data,prepare reports and/or summarize information.Maintain property inventory records for fixed assets; account for acquisitions and disposals; may conduct on-sight reviews to validate inventory accounting; provide consultation to staff regarding inventory control mechanisms.Acquire and use Geographic Information System (GIS) data to perform project research and create maps.
Ideal Candidate:
Familiarity with principles and practices of land conservation,land use planning,and natural resource management.Land transaction experience,including knowledge of required due diligence items such as: title assurances,minerals ownership determinations,baseline documents,Phase 1 environmental assessments,water rights,option agreements,drafting conservation easements,and appraisal processes.Ability to interpret laws,ordinances,codes,rules and regulations relating to land use issues,permits,easements,and leases.Land trust experience.Knowledge of the Public Trust Doctrine.Experience with realty transactions.Knowledge of conservation easements and related funding programs.Natural resources background.Paralegal experience.Budget administration experience.Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS),Microsoft Offi ce (Word,Excel) and Adobe.Familiarity with the USDA Forest Service s Forest Legacy Program.Experience with leading several projects at once with varying deadlines,requirements and complexities.The ability to be detailed-oriented yet broadly mission-aware.Demonstrated excellence in grant writing.The ability to be a self-starter but also possesses the ability to work within a defined chain-of-command.Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision but also as part of a team.Bachelor s degree in natural resources,law,real estate.Proven project management,organizational and time management skills.
Why You Should Join Our Team: The Division of Forestry,Fire & State Lands (FFSL) is a progressive,diverse agency responsible for forest stewardship,managing wildland fires,and managing sovereign lands in Utah. As the Lands Specialist,you will have the opportunity to work with FFSL Forestry and Sovereign Lands program managers,US Forest Service program leaders and other State and land trust partners to make a positive impact on forestry activities in Utah,particularly related to the conservation and management of private and sovereign lands. In addition,the State of Utah offers great benefits and generous paid time off. This position provides opportunity to spend time in the office and in the field. The Agency: If you would like more information about working for the Department of Natural Resources please click here.