Potomac Watershed Field Representative

About PEC

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) conserves and restores the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. Founded in 1972, PEC is a locally based, community-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit and accredited land trust. At the core of PEC’s approach is a focus on educating, engaging and empowering people to effect positive change in their communities.

Your Role

The Field Representative to work with landowners, land managers, and federal, state and local agencies to further PEC’s land conservation priorities and land use policy activities in PEC’s nine-county service area. The geographic focus of the position will predominantly be working in communities in PEC’s service area within the Potomac watershed (Clarke, Loudoun, and northern Fauquier counties). The Field Representative will work to advance the following goals:

• Executing and/or facilitating conservation real estate transactions that will further PEC’s goal of conserving 1 million acres in the PEC region. These transactions include, but are not limited to, donation of conservation easements by landowners, purchase of conservation easements by PEC, fee simple acquisitions of land, and conveyance of conservation lands to public conservation agencies and/or private conservation buyers. 
• Creating and sustaining a network of informed residents, donors, policymakers, partner organizations, and others ready to advocate for policies and actions that support land conservation, resource protection, and enhanced public access to nature.    
• Ensuring that PEC’s work embodies best practices identified by the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices, particularly in regard to the stewardship of land owned and held in conservation easements by PEC. 
• Increasing positive awareness of PEC and building support for PEC programs.

Areas of Responsibility

The Field Representative will be responsible for executing a diverse portfolio of land conservation, natural resource restoration, land use policy, and civic engagement efforts that further PEC’s mission. Examples of activities include:

• Developing and implementing land protection strategies through:Identification of key at-risk properties, landscapes, and resources;
• Outreach and education to landowners, farmers, and professional advisers on conservation tools such as voluntary conservation easement donations, Purchase of Development Rights programs, and other conservation programs; and
• Coordination with other private partners and public agencies (such as local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the USDA National Resources Conservation Service).
• Directly implementing and/or facilitating implementation of a suite of land management practices that enhance wildlife habitat, restore water quality, and/or improve agricultural productivity on public and private lands in the Piedmont.
• Serving as part of PEC’s stewardship team, responsible for ensuring appropriate monitoring and stewardship of PEC’s conservation easement and fee land portfolio.
• Serving a key staff role supporting land conservation funds and their advisory committees.
• Serving as PEC staff representative on the Blue Ridge Conservation Alliance and similar regional conservation initiatives.
• Initiating, leading, or participating in local community-based conservation planning and policy efforts, such as historic preservation, water quality improvement, habitat restoration, and/or agricultural land management demonstration projects.
• Working directly with staff, citizens and allied organizations to organize the public around campaigns, policies, and outcomes supportive of the PEC mission, including adoption of language in the counties’ comprehensive plans and support or opposition to specific land use threats and opportunities.
• Collaborating with PEC communications and advancement staff to secure appropriate funding and highlight the benefits of PEC’s work in the region.

The Field Representative reports to PEC’s Director of Conservation, but will also work closely with other field representatives, departments within PEC, and members of the PEC Board of Directors.

This position will be based at PEC’s headquarters office in Warrenton, VA.

Benefits

PEC offers an outstanding and robust benefits package including:

• Two health plans offered, a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan or a high-deductible Health Savings Account (HSA) plan 
• Dental and Vision insurance plans
• Short & Long Term Disability*
• Group Term Life*
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity insurances*
• HSA account (with employer match up to $750 per year)
• FSA accounts (health & dependent)
• 403(b) pension plan with employer contribution after 1 year of service with 100% vesting from day one
• 12 paid holidays
• PTO leave – 24 days per year, accrued each pay period
• 1 day per year of paid leave to volunteer at another non-profit or charitable cause
• Salary Continuation Leave for employee or family illness (including maternity and paternity) – from 2 to 8 weeks fully paid leave eligibility every 24 months, depending on length of service
• Paid Bereavement, Jury Duty and Military Service Training leave
• Travel Expense Reimbursement (including mileage)
• Hybrid work environment and Flexible Work Schedules
• Professional Development support
• Payment for relevant licenses & professional membership fees

*Indicates that this insurance premium is 100% paid by PEC for employee coverage.

Required Qualifications

• A working knowledge of conservation policies, conservation easements, and real estate transactions.
• Experience working with rural landowners and the farming community. 
• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, forestry, natural resources, planning, public policy, environmental studies, or a related field. 
• Ability to organize, coordinate and manage diverse activities and deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work well with a diverse constituency with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives, including elected officials, non-profit representatives, community groups, and residents, and experience leading public outreach and/or education campaigns.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills, both written and oral, including ability to write, edit, and proofread written materials for use in communicating public policy and conservation opportunities internally and externally. 
• Knowledge and experience with Google Suite and/or Microsoft Office productivity software.
• Requires minimal supervision.
• Willing to work some weekends and evenings.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3-5 years work experience or graduate degree in agriculture, forestry, natural resources, planning, law or a related field.
• Familiarity with conservation grant programs preferred (such as NRCS Agricultural Land Easement program, the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation grant program, the Virginia Agricultural Cost Share program, and/or funding opportunities available through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation).
• A working knowledge of local land use planning and zoning in Virginia.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS.

Application Process

Interested applicants should fill out our job application form. Candidates must submit a cover letter and resumé. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The Piedmont Environmental Council strives to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all aspects of achieving our mission. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Read more about our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) commitments.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process may be requested.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.