Habitat Conservation, Restoration

Position: Habitat Securement Specialist
Organization: Ducks Unlimited Canada
Location: Flexible location within BC – Remote (Hybrid arrangement possible in Williams Lake and Kamloops)

• Position Details: Full Time Permanent - Existing Vacancy
• Salary Range: $66,100 - $82,600 per annum, based on a 35-hour work week. Salary for this position will be commensurate with each individual's education and experience as it relates to the position.
• Closing Deadline: January 7th, 2025 (11:59PM EDT)

Who We Are

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), one of the nation’s leading conservation organizations, is a passionate community of people who believe that nature is the foundation of strong communities, a prosperous economy and a sustainable future that supports the hopes and dreams of the next generation. Together, we conserve and restore some of the most valuable and threatened landscapes on the planet.

What You Will Do

You will support habitat securement initiatives including acquisitions, conservation covenants, conservation agreements, lease and license agreements as well as Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and other Crown Conservation Designations to ensure the long-term protection of habitat. The incumbent will play a key role in managing and maintaining relationships with landowners on secured properties, including both private landowners and government representatives for properties located on municipal, provincial, or federal lands. The incumbent will also provide support for indigenous relations and to other staff as needed on management of secured habitat properties to ensure habitat goals are met.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Identifies potential habitat acquisition, conservation covenant, or conservation agreement opportunities and evaluates to ensure these align with conservation objectives
• Supports negotiations for acquisitions, covenants, and agreements with landowners with supervision and support from Head of Conservation Partnerships and legal council
• Provides guidance for other staff on management of secured properties, including planning for upcoming agreement renewals
• Responds diplomatically and effectively on behalf of DUC to landowner requests and complaints
• Liaises as needed with municipal or provincial government representatives and/or private landowners to represent DUC on shared conservation initiatives such as joint acquisitions or joint initiatives to manage secured properties.
• Supports grant applications for land acquisitions and protected areas development
• Builds relationships with indigenous communities and supports coordination and capacity building

Requirements

• Five (5) years of experience in land securement and or management relating to achieving habitat outcomes with progressively increasing responsibilities and demonstrated leadership ability. Candidates with land securement experience outside of habitat context with skills that may be transferrable (e.g., agriculture, forestry, parks) will be considered.
• College diploma relating to land management or acquisitions such as in resource management, resource law or policy, agriculture, parks and recreation, forestry or real estate. An undergraduate degree would be an asset.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience in related fields may be considered in lieu of minimum educational requirements
• Experience working with Indigenous communities, particularly in BC
• Knowledge of the value of wetland and grassland conservation in BC
• Strong working knowledge of negotiation practices
• General understanding of BC Land Act, Agricultural Land Reserve Act, Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and Water Sustainability Act
• Understanding of rural real estate market in BC
• Possess a valid driver’s licence;
• Ability to work flexible hours as needed, which may include longer days and overnight/extended travel.
• Experience with Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program including having taken a project through the process start to finish considered an asset

What We Offer

• 3 weeks’ vacation with paid personal and sick days
• Comprehensive compensation & benefits package
• Hybrid work arrangement

How to Apply

DUC is proud to be recognized as a non-profit employer of choice for the second year in a row. Working for DUC is a career highlight for many staff. Let us know if making a difference is important to you.

If you are qualified and interested in this opportunity, please visit our online career center to submit your application for confidential consideration.

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While DUC would like to thank all applicants, only candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.