Job Description
The Land Conservation Assistant serves as a full-time assistant to the conservation easement and land conservation team within Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) and reports directly to the Senior Land Protection Director & Counsel. This entry-level position will maintain the land project database, prepare legal documents, monitor conservation easements, compile baseline documentation reports, create maps, assist with USDA paperwork and record keeping and other duties as assigned.
This full-time, non-exempt position involves 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with some longer days and/or overnight travel. The position is based out of INHF’s Des Moines office and will allow flexibility to work from home one day per week.
Job Duties
| % of Work |
Duty |
Standards |
| 45% |
Conservation Team Assistance
Maintain land project data in Salesforce, generate reports, and track project progress.
Prepare legal documents including offers, repurchase agreements, management plans, assisting with USDA paperwork, and crop leases.
Assist with staff and board meeting preparations including maps, recording meeting minutes, preparing borrowing resolutions, compiling PowerPoint presentation, and other duties as assigned.
Create maps in ArcGIS Pro for land protection inquiries.
Assist with annual site visits and track progress.
|
Record keeping according to LTA Standards & Practices.
Consistent, accurate and timely duties performed. Clear written and verbal communication.
|
| 40% |
Easement Monitoring & Assistance
Assist with annual monitoring of INHF-held conservation easements including coordinating with landowners, site visits, report writing, follow up correspondence, and documentation.
Assist with preparation of conservation easement baseline reports including photo documentation, map preparation in ArcPro and written documentation of natural resource values.
Ensure easement files contain proper documentation and are organized to ensure organizational strength.
|
100% of assigned easements are monitored annually in a professional, thorough, and respectful manner.
Accurate and clear documentation of the easement property.
Record keeping according to LTA Standards & Practices.
|
| 10% |
Education and Training
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.
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Continued growth through active engagement in relevant trainings, meetings and conferences including Land Trust Alliance educational opportunities.
|
| 5% |
Administrative
Administration including staff and department meetings, submitting time and expense reports.
|
Good time management and communication with staff is maintained. Expense reports are submitted at least monthly. Time cards are submitted bi-weekly.
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|
|
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Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list 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.
Skills
- Strong interpersonal skills, organizational ability and attention to detail is essential
- Basic knowledge of ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online or willingness to learn
- Proficient in data entry and use of Microsoft Office products
- Familiarity with general ecosystem management and Iowa native plant and animal species, desired but not required
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent related experience, required
- Ability to effectively collaborate and communicate with staff, landowners, partners, and donors
- Ability to hike in rugged/uneven terrain in all weather conditions, sit/stand at a desk and do some light lifting
- Valid driver’s license and personal transportation to and from our office in Des Moines, IA
- Interest in nonprofit work, and personal alignment with our organization’s mission
Attributes
A successful Land Conservation Assistant is team-centered with strong interpersonal skills and attention to detail, a well-organized self-starter, capable of working independently, as well as comfortably, effectively, and dependably with a wide variety of people and able to organize support and cooperation. The Assistant will also need to effectively budget and prioritize time between varying demands and tasks. Work schedule will vary by season and will require some long days and/or overnight travel when monitoring easements, so flexibility and willingness to adapt to varying schedules is essential.
Salary and Benefits Summary
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation values our team members and takes pride in providing competitive compensation for this position, generous medical and dental benefits, ample vacation and sick leave accrual, retirement matching, and opportunities for professional and personal growth. The salary range for this position is $45,000- $61,000.
To Apply
Applications are due June 2, 2025.
Please email a cover letter, resume and at least three professional references (with contact information) to Kari Walker, Human Resources Director, at kwalker@inhf.org.