Southwest Region Representative

This full-time position is responsible for providing assistance to the National Association of Conservation Districts’ (NACD) member conservation districts and NACD Board of Directors to advance conservation, resource development and to assist in the implementation of the association’s policies related to the Southwest Region (AZ, CO, NM, NV, UT, WY). This is a service-oriented position with a focus on creating and maintaining relationships and increasing the effectiveness of NACD in supporting conservation districts and their state associations.

Responsibilities:

Membership, Member Services, Partnerships

• Develop and maintain a working relationship with conservation districts, state associations of conservation districts and the state soil and water conservation agencies and federal agencies
• Expand and execute a variety of methods for communicating among Southwest Region state/territory association leaders, NACD, and conservation partners
• Help state/territory leadership encourage conservation districts to actively engage in NACD, and help deliver and plan membership services
• Coordinate and implement regional grant-related activities on specific national grants and cooperative agreements.
• Support NACD committees and/or subcommittees as needed with program development or other specific goals
• Facilitate an exchange of information, curriculum, tools and direct assistance
• Regularly contribute to NACD publications, including blogs, articles and news pieces to document and distribute the work of conservation districts
• Support other NACD teams as needed, including sharing information related to federal advocacy, education, and partnerships
• Perform other tasks as assigned in support of NACD membership goals

Leadership Development and Governance/Region Support

• Furnish the Region Chair and Region Board Members with necessary assistance to aid them in effectively discharging their duties and responsibilities
• Provide support and coordination for national and regional (with Pacific Region Representative) in-person board meetings
• Coordinate program development and conduct NACD regional and leadership meetings
• Manage long-term strategic planning for the region, including supporting board members in developing and implementing annual work plans to address region priorities and needs
• Assist state associations to provide leadership to increase the effectiveness and overall capacity of conservation districts and state associations

Desired Skills/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience
• Experience working with conservation districts, state or federal agencies
• Positive attitude and ability to build and maintain strong relationships and prioritize member needs
• Strong knowledge of Southwest Region states’/territories’ natural resource concerns
• Ability to assess policy initiatives for association leaders and membership, and ability to draft a variety of documents and communications
• Willingness to work as part of a team and to be responsive to membership
• Experience working with grants preferred
• Ability to travel up to 25% or more within a year; at a minimum, travel is required to NACD’s Annual Meeting (February), Summer Meetings (July or August), the annual staff retreat (Fall), the Southwest and Pacific In-Person Region Meeting (September) and several state meetings throughout the year.

Location: This position is located in NACD’s Southwest Region (AZ, CO, NM, NV, UT, WY) and reports to the Director of Membership. This is a telework position operating on local time, but some meetings may be required outside of local working hours to accommodate colleagues and members in other time zones.

Health Insurance:

BlueChoice Advantage Platinum 500 - Single coverage – 100% of premium paid by employer. Family plans are available at the employee’s expense.

Dental and Vision:

Dental (Metlife) and Vision (VSP) Single coverage – 100% of premium paid by employer. Family plans are available at the employee’s expense.

Enrollment takes effect on the first day of the month following the employment start date for all health benefits.

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance:

MetLife AD&D/Life Insurance

All full-time employees are provided (at no cost) death and dismemberment insurance along with basic life insurance benefit of 1 times their annual salary. Employees are eligible on the 1st of the month following the date of hire.

Flex Plan:

Annual enrollment to set aside pre-tax funds for qualified health, dependent care, parking and transportation expenses.

Retirement Plan:

TIAA Cref Retirement

There are two components to the 403b contribution pension plan. Eligibility requires the employee must be 21 years or age.

1. Employee contributions can be effective immediately through payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis.
2. Employees are eligible for a minimum of 2.5% employer match contributions with a one-to-one match of an additional 2.5%, not to exceed 5% after 6 months of employment. The Vesting Schedule for Matching Contribution and Employer Contributions is: 0% after less than 1 year or employment; 30% after one year of employment; 70% after two years of employment; and 100% after three years or employment.

Paid Holidays/Sick Time

13 paid federal holidays

10 days sick leave (520 hours eligible for carryover annually)

Vacation Time

Minimum 10 days paid vacation increases after two full years of employment and increases every two years thereafter. (80 hours eligible for carryover annually)

Professional Development

Each staff member can receive a stipend for allowable expenses up to $1,000 upon successful completion of the continuing education or professional development activity.

Telecommunications Stipend

Monthly telecommunication stipend for phone and/or internet expenses.