Stewardship Manager

The entire application can be viewed at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/northcarolina/jobs/3225199/stewardship-manager?location[0]=wake&department[0]=Dept%20of%20Natural%20and%20Cultural%20Resources&sort=PositionTitle%7CAscending&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

Primary Purpose of the Position:
The Stewardship Manager will work collaboratively with partners, landowners, staff, and Trustees to ensure the protection of the State’s investment in conservation. The Stewardship Manager will oversee and conduct annual monitoring of conservation agreements, review plans and requests, and resolve issues. As a member of the Acquisition team, the Stewardship Manager will also provide review of applications and pre-closing materials to ensure conservation agreements are consistent with stewardship objectives. The Stewardship Manager must possess a broad understanding of natural resource management and specific knowledge about current policies and programs related to land conservation, natural area management, conservation funding, and stewardship issues in North Carolina. The Stewardship Manager must have considerable experience interacting tactfully and effectively with staff, landowners, the general public, and board members/trustees. The Stewardship Manager must also possess the ability to communicate effectively and to present complex information in a concise and articulate manner in both written and oral form; to manage changing work tasks in a dynamic team environment; to plan, organize, and direct work operations; and to prepare and administer a budget. This position will maintain effective working relationships with public officials, field professionals, coworkers, supervisor, and the general public.

Key Responsibilities:
– Reviewing annual grant applications to ensure that stewardship strategies are consistent with policy
– Assisting Acquisition team with review of closing materials, including conservation agreements and baseline documentation reports
– Managing annual monitoring contracts with conservation organizations, including report review and invoice payment
– On-the-ground and remote monitoring of a portfolio of conservation agreements
– Serving as the point of contact for conservation agreement inquiries, reviewing reserved right and amendment requests, and resolving conservation agreement violations
– Managing the NC Conservation Easement Endowment Fund and corresponding operational fund
– Leading the review and improvement of policies and procedures that guide the program
– Maintaining all deed and GIS data associated with conservation agreements
– Assisting with other NCLWF program responsibilities as needed

Division Description:
The Division of Land and Water Stewardship is a non-regulatory division within DNCR that provides information, technical assistance, and grants to support effective conservation. The office is an integral part of the state’s conservation efforts and seeks to maintain a positive relationship with communities through partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies, industries, organizations, and private citizens.

The North Carolina Land and Water Fund (NCLWF) provides grant assistance to non-profits, local governments, and state agencies for the protection of natural resources in North Carolina. NCLWF funds projects that (1) enhance or restore degraded waters, (2) protect unpolluted waters, (3) contribute toward a network of riparian buffers and greenways for environmental, educational, and recreational benefits, (4) provide buffers around military bases to protect the military mission, (5) acquire land that represents the ecological diversity of North Carolina, and/or (6) acquire land that contributes to the development of a balanced state program of historic properties.

Department Information:
The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ (DNCR) vision is to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. Our mission is to improve quality of life by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature throughout North Carolina. The Department works to stimulate learning, inspire creativity, preserve the state’s history, conserve the state’s natural heritage, encourage recreation and cultural tourism, and promote economic development. Our goal is to promote equity and inclusion among our employees and our programming to reflect and celebrate our state’s diverse population, culture, and history by expanding engagement with diverse individuals and communities. We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team. Learn more about our agency: WWW.NCDCR.GOV.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies
To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must provide the information on the application form.

Qualified candidates must have or be able to do:

– Demonstrated extensive knowledge and working experience in the field of land conservation.
– Demonstrated experience reviewing and administering conservation agreements, such as conservation easements or dedications under the Nature Preserves Act.
– Demonstrated proficiency with ArcGIS or similar mapping software.
– Demonstrated experience using Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Access or similar programs.
– Demonstrated experience managing budgets and preparing or reviewing invoices.
– Demonstrated experience managing and organizing large amounts of files/data.
– Demonstrated experience in accurate record keeping.
– Must have a valid NC Driver’s license or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment.
– Must be able to traverse rough and uneven terrain and endure unfavorable work environments (e.g., dust, insects, noise, inclement weather, etc.)

Management Preferences:
– Experience resolving difficult stewardship issues with landowners while maintaining a strong track record of positive working relationships.
– Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
– Master’s degree in one of the agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental or natural resource sciences or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supplemental and Contact Information
The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation or political influence.

Please be sure to complete the application in full. Resumes may be uploaded with your application, but it will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit. “See Resume” or “See Attachment” will NOT be accepted.

Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.

Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the “Work Experience” section of the application, to support your answers.

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application.

To obtain veterans preference, you must scan and upload a copy of your DD-214 or discharge orders.
Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax. Please call the human resources office for assistance.

If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are “Under Review” and will be screened by Human Resources for the qualified applicants. The hiring process may take an average of 6 – 8 weeks.

It is the policy of the State of North Carolina and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources that all employees provide proof of employment eligibility (immigration and naturalization) on the first day of employment. We participate in E-Verify (Employment Eligibility Verification System).

CONTACT INFORMATION:
N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Division of Human Resources
109 E. Jones St., Raleigh NC 27601
Phone: 919-814-6670
Technical issues submitting your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627.