Malta, MT

Position Title: Land Specialist Fellow

Organization: US Fish and Wildlife Service

Location: Malta, MT

Position Overview:  The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

The Division of Realty supports the growth of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) in the Mountain-Prairie Region by acquiring land (and interests in land) through easements, purchases, donations, exchanges, and transfers from private landowners, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. The Division further serves as the technical expert on issues regarding post-acquisition real property management and administration, such as boundary disputes and the granting of public rights-of-way. The daily operation of the Division involves a voluminous amount of documents (both paper and electronic). The primary focus of this fellowship will support realty duties as well as Wetland Management District (WMD) acquisition duties. The Fellow will learn about and support the Division’s land acquisition process by working with realty staff on specific projects as needed as well as WMD field staff. Occasional day or overnight site visits to National Wildlife Refuges may occur.

Duties: 

• Create easement exhibit maps, create County Multipliers for land payment calculation (AALV calculations) for conservation easements, and updating new ownership databases.
• Observe and support Realty staff during negotiations to acquire real property interests for the USFWS; this may include accompanying realty specialists and wetland district managers on site visits with landowners, collecting and examining documents, and assisting with due diligence.
• Proofread purchase agreements, deeds, easements, leases, rights-of-way permits, and other realty documents
• Assist Realty Specialists with closings and post-acquisition tasks
• Assist Realty staff with general research topics and specific issues related to our current land holdings, including data requests from USFWS headquarters in Washington, D.C. and Freedom of Information Act requests from private citizens.
• Acquisition Ground Checks, Pre-ground check mapping, coordination with US Department of Agriculture offices
• Promoting easement programs with realtors as well as with Partners such as Pheasants Forever (PF), Ducks Unlimited (DU), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), etc.
• Meeting with landowners for targeted promotion and solicitation of our easement programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two part background check..
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills (word processing; digitizing; translating data; and editing PDF’s in Microsoft Office and Adobe suites).
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail (file management and ability to meet strict deadlines).
• Being cognizant of, and practicing safeguards to protect, Personal Identifiable Information (PII) at all times.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Competitive applicants for this position will hold a H.S. diploma or GED and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resources, biology, ecology or a related subject.
• Coursework or experience in real property, real estate principles, rules, regulations and practices, environmental law; familiarity with Federal environmental laws/policies.
• Ability to read and understand legal documentation associated with real property such as deeds and title commitments.
• Interest in learning and working with current processes as well as developing new methods of data collection and documenting real property acquisition projects; evaluate different processes and protocols in an effort to produce more efficient and effective solutions.
• Experience or knowledge of the mission of the USFWS and other federal land management agencies.
• Strong desire to enter the public service field.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing and manual dexterity for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. May be required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch, and hike over rough terrain. May also include driving on dirt roads on 4×4 trucks and/or ATVs.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 10 lbs., ability to move up to 30 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climate, but also, indoor, office environment conditions.
• Noise Environment: Mild-to-moderate noise in an office setting and field environment.
• Travel: This position will require domestic travel.

Start/End Dates: Dec 2023/Jan 2024- Nov/Dec 2024

How to Apply: Please use the online application to view the full job description as well as how to apply.