Land Conservation Fellow

About Mass Audubon:

Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org [http://www.massaudubon.org/].

About this position:

Mass Audubon is committed to creating a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just organization and to providing greater access to nature for everyone, which is why we created the Environmental Fellowship Program for Early Careers (EFP). Now entering its fifth year, the EFP is a unique program that increases pathways for a diversity of early career professionals into environmental professions. Each 14-month fellowship is hosted within one of five departments/teams: Land Conservation, Conservation Science, Nature in the City, Wildlife Sanctuaries & Education, or Diversity & Inclusion. Our fellows will tackle some of the most pressing environmental concerns of our time while working with a passionate and dedicated team of professionals. This is an opportunity designed for recent graduates or those beginning their careers with up to one year of professional experience. In addition to professional experience, the fellows are given opportunities for networking, mentoring, and skill development within a supportive cohort model. To learn more about the program, please register for an Information Session which will take place on Wednesday, January 28th at 6PM EST  [https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/f863edb8-06e9-4c09-bcdb-f8ce31c8e18e@e0acbd14-d69d-4eaa-8f02-7ecff288232f]and Monday, February 9th at 6PM EST [https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/4e21f147-3f9d-4585-ab67-59124a2647ba@e0acbd14-d69d-4eaa-8f02-7ecff288232f].

Mass Audubon operates under a strategic plan known as the Action Agenda, a five-year plan to address the rapid loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and the threat of climate change. Land protection is a key component of success, which is why we have a goal of quadrupling the pace of our land conservation efforts. The Land Conservation Fellow will be part of our Land Conservation Team, based out of Mass Audubon Headquarters in Lincoln, MA. The Land Conservation Fellow is committed to protecting the nature of Massachusetts and desires to learn the mechanics of land conservation, specifically in regard to the acquisition, disposition and monitoring of legal interests in land. A well-suited candidate must be interested in learning about, and participating in, land conservation through the lens of real estate transactions.

Application Instructions Please submit a resume and complete the application through ADP to apply for this role.

Responsibilities:

Duties and responsibilities will be primarily focused on land conservation (60%), conservation restriction stewardship (10%), and land information systems (10%), with additional time allotted (20%) for professional development, mentoring, and professional projects or research.

Land Protection

• Ensure the timely and accurate completion of tasks required to acquire and dispose of land or interests in land, including the preparation of administrative documents, and the oversight of due diligence.
• Assist staff with strategy and implementation of outreach to landowners of parcels that are a priority for protection.

Conservation Restriction (CR)

• Assist staff in the annual monitoring of properties across the state.
• Assist staff with outreach to CR landowners through the “Active Stewardship Program”

Land Information Systems

• Assist with mapping using ArcGIS Pro
• Assist with monitoring fee boundary lines as needed
• Assist with implementation of Landscape Software as needed.

General

• Collaborating with other staff, evaluate land conservation proposals to ensure consistency with Mass Audubon policies and objectives.
• Properly document projects for the permanent land files and provide project information to others as needed.
• Create training material, write success stories for the website, prepare written reports, proposals and plans as required.
• Attend internal department meetings and serve on external as requested by the Manager.
• Foster relationships with other departments in an effort to share and coordinate information to promote “One Mass Audubon.”

Qualifications:

At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:

• Must have obtained a Bachelor’s degree by the start of the fellowship. Degrees or fields of study especially suitable for this work include: Environmental Studies, Natural Resource Management, Land Use Planning, or related field
• A commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice, especially as it pertains to land protection and the field of conservation
• Interest in real estate, law, and land protection
• Interest in communicating land conservation work to various stakeholders (e.g., newsletters, letters to landowners, etc.)
• Interest in developing entry level career skills
• Excellent writing and speaking skills
• Strong project management skills
• Solid skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and ArcGis
• Valid driver’s license, and willingness to travel frequently and extensively throughout the state
• Ability to traverse a variety of terrain (hilly, wooded, rocky, marshy) on foot
• Ability to navigate independently in the field utilizing map, compass, and GPS units
• Ability to commute to Lincoln, MA at least once per week and travel to other locations as needed

Compensation, Benefits and Perks This position’s salary is $50,000 per year. The salary for this position is fixed due to internal equity considerations and budgeted pay structure.

Benefits eligible staff at Mass Audubon may elect to enroll in medical, dental, and vision plans. Mass Audubon also offers disability and life insurance plans, a retirement plan, and Flexible Spending Account options. Mass Audubon employment also includes access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through and the Reciprocity Agreement through the Consortium of Non-Profit Arts/Cultural/Environmental Organizations of New England. Mass Audubon employees enjoy 13 paid holidays (holidays may shift annually due to where days fall within calendar).:

Work Schedule

Full time schedule of 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday.

Other Requirements Employees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check. A motor vehicle record check may be required if applicable.

Mass Audubon’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice

Mass Audubon embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Mass Audubon’s mission is to “protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife” by building a strong coalition of employees, volunteers, and community members. We recognize that the environmental movement and field of conservation have been affected by societal systems that have limited opportunity and access for many people. As a result, Mass Audubon is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We are engaged in an ongoing process of organizational assessment and change, designed to remove barriers and create a workplace where all forms of diversity are recognized and valued.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mass Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Mass Audubon prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.