Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled. Preference will be given to applications submitted by July 31, 2025
Location: NRCS Field Office Redmond, Oregon, or NRCS State Office in Portland, Oregon.
Salary: $60,000-65,000 per year, depending on experience
Overview
This opportunity is part of a collaborative effort between the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV), and Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) to accelerate land conservation through the NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program-Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE). The incumbent will serve as part of the Oregon NRCS conservation easement team. The position will advance wetland conservation throughout Oregon by assisting with technical tasks, administrative tasks, and ACEP-WRE outreach with direction from the Oregon NRCS Easement Program Specialist.
Duties
- Assist NRCS Basin Easement Staff with development and implementation of Wetland Restoration Plan of Operations (WRPO).
- Opportunities to apply wetland conservation on private land.
- Provide technical support to NRCS Basin Easement Specialists and ACRP-WRE landowners with various activities associated with implementation of ACEP-WRE.
- Effectively use NRCS contracting and planning software (NRCS Conservation Desktop, etc.) to plan and implement wetland restoration and related conservation practices on ACEP-WRE enrolled parcels.
- Assist with administrative procedures of new ACEP-WRE applications and pre-obligation.
- Perform other related duties as assigned; including strategic program planning, partnership coordination, and assisting NRCS staff across Oregon with ACEP related activities.
- Coordinate ACEP-WRE outreach. Work closely with NRCS staff and conservation partners to boost ACEP-WRE enrollment.
- Travel for trainings, meetings and on-site project visits.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to communicate effectively with private landowners, government agency personnel, and conservation partner organizations.
- Ability to work independently with little supervision.
- Ability to work cooperatively with diverse clientele.
- Knowledge of wetland ecology.
- Ability to obtain USDA Security Clearance.
- Excellent verbal/written communication and organizational skills.
- Valid driver’s license.
- A general qualification guideline for this position is a bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in natural resource planning, wildlife biology/management or ecology and related conservation work experience.
- Computer skills are required; the applicant should be familiar with Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Ability, or willingness to learn, NRCS Conservation Desktop and other NRCS planning and contracting systems.
About the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
The NRCS helps private landowners, soil and water conservation districts, and other partners protect and conserve natural resources on private lands throughout the United States. With approximately 2,300 Service Centers in communities nationwide, NRCS and other USDA employees work side-by-side with producers in every State and territory.
About the Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV)
The IWJV mission is to conserve and enhance bird habitats at meaningful scales through capacity building, science, communications, and strategic partnerships. The funds for this position contributed by the IWJV are primarily of federal origin, managed through Cooperative Agreements with the hiring entity (WMI).
About the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI)
The successful applicant will be an employee of WMI. WMI is a professional conservation organization that works to improve the foundation of wildlife management. Their mission is: “dedicated to the conservation, enhancement and professional management of North America’s wildlife and other natural resources.”
Supervision
The position is fully integrated into Oregon NRCS’s easement team to accelerate the pace of private land conservation. The designated NRCS staff lead will supervise daily activities. The successful applicant will participate in annual job performance reviews with the IWJV Water 4 Coordinator and NRCS.
Benefits and Additional Information
WMI offers health insurance for the employee and employee’s spouse and children, 401(k) retirement benefits, workers’ compensation, general liability protection, professional liability protection and unemployment insurance benefits.
To Apply:
Send a cover letter that describes your conservation skills and interest in wetlands and conservation easements, a resume, and three references with contact information.
Send application materials to kasey.bader@iwjv.org with the subject line “Oregon ACEP-WRE Biologist".
