Ducks Unlimited
Flyway Forests Program Coordinator - Lower Mississippi Delta
Ducks Unlimited - Ridgeland, Mississippi, us, 39158
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Overview
Flyway Forests Program Coordinator - Lower Mississippi Delta
Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU), the world's leading waterfowl and wetland conservation organization, is seeking qualified candidates for a Flyway Forests Program Coordinator to join an interdisciplinary team of professionals and deliver our reforestation carbon program, Flyway Forests, in the four-state region of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Flyway Forests is a new DU initiative that restores bottomland hardwood forests for carbon sequestration and biodiversity outcomes. DU recruits private landowners to participate in the program using incentive payments for either permanent conservation easements or term agreements, in exchange for the rights to plant trees and sell carbon credits on the Voluntary Carbon Market. The program seeks to restore at least 10,000 acres of bottomland hardwood forests by 2030.
We are seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as the landowner engagement lead and program ambassador for Flyway Forests. The Program Coordinator will catalyze growth by managing the processes of landowner outreach, program enrollment, and land protection. This individual will conduct outreach, screen eligible properties through a digital platform, and educate landowners on their rights and responsibilities as participants in Flyway Forests. The Program Coordinator will maintain accurate geospatial records of project boundaries, draft purchase agreements, and facilitate the process of due diligence after contracts are signed. The Program Coordinator will provide regular updates to landowners during the various stages of project implementation, performance monitoring, and adaptive management. This person will play a critical role in ensuring compliance with carbon registry standards while cultivating positive relationships with project partners. As the liaison between landowners, DU staff, and the reforestation carbon program requirements, this individual must maintain robust documentation using databases, project management software, and GIS. When applicable, the Program Coordinator will coordinate with other Flyway Forests core team members to draft baseline documentation reports, contracts, and agreements, and conduct easement stewardship monitoring. This individual will serve as a representative of DU and must have a keen interest in and passion for conservation on private lands.
The Program Coordinator will work across multiple departments of DU, including the National Science Team, the Southern Region Conservation and Engineering Team, and the Marketing and Communications Team. This individual will also interface with DU's Lands Team for legal and land protection elements of the program. This is an interdisciplinary role that requires strong project management skills, attention to detail, excellent interpersonal communication, and a desire to learn and evolve with changes in the Voluntary Carbon Market.
This position will be responsible for providing leadership and guidance for continued success and improvement of Flyway Forests. The position will play a key role in DU's long-term success by enabling the organization to build, nurture, and maintain strong relationships with landowners, conservation entities, and corporate partners. There will be opportunities to collaborate with universities, agencies, non-profits, and other reforestation carbon programs to elevate the standards and efficiency of the program.
Duties and Responsibilities: Build on existing leads and program growth and develop new landowner outreach and engagement strategies with the goal of enrolling qualified private landowners in Flyway Forests program. Screen and process applications, educate landowners on program requirements, secure property deeds to confirm ownership, and document early-stage activities for carbon registry compliance. Serve as the landowners' primary point of contact throughout enrollment process, including contract negotiation and execution. Complete due diligence activities, including title insurance and curative work, with assistance from DU's lands professionals and outside counsel when necessary. With assistance from DU's Lands team, oversee preparation of landowner purchase agreements and conservation easement transaction closings, including baseline documentation. Coordinate with Regional Biologists to schedule DU and contractor site visits, finalize planting and reserved areas, and document project boundaries in GIS. Support Regional Biologists in planning and coordination of onsite activities (e.g., inventory, site prep, and tree planting). Stay abreast of and informed about changes in market and compliance trends. Document and support required compliance activities with the Flyway Forests team to ensure compatibility with carbon registry requirements and DU conservation easement terms. Support performance monitoring program and adaptive management requirements through coordination with consultants, Regional Biologists, and Flyway Forests core team. Promote reforestation and the co-benefits of water quality and wildlife habitat via engagement, outreach and education. Work with the Flyway Forests team to expand the program through additional ecosystem services markets including biodiversity and water quality crediting. Periodically evaluate Flyway Forests program for opportunities to develop new strategies to meet changing needs of landowners, DU, and Voluntary Carbon Market. Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in natural resource management, environmental science, land use planning, or equivalent. Advanced degree (e.g., M.S. or law degree) preferred but not required. Background in land transactions, conservation easements, or real estate law helpful. Minimum of three years of professional experience related to private lands transactions, conservation easement stewardship, project management, and/or environmental markets (e.g., wetland mitigation, carbon markets); more experience strongly preferred. GIS experience preferred. Demonstrated ability to manage competing deadlines, facilitate multiple projects, and meet high-quality standards for ecological restoration projects. Experience working with diverse public and private interests. Outstanding verbal and interpersonal communication skills; exceptional written communication skills and the ability to work both independently and as a member of a diverse conservation team. Strong attention to detail. Professional interests that align strongly with the goals of Flyway Forests as well as DU's conservation mission and vision. Desire and demonstrated ability to identify and address personal knowledge gaps; to learn on the job; and to cultivate sources of knowledge, expertise, and skill. Able and willing to travel frequently within the region of responsibility and occasionally beyond the service area.
The successful candidate will report to the Director of Conservation Programs and the National Carbon Program Lead and may office within the Mississippi Alluvial Valley at one of the following locations: the Southern Region Office in Ridgeland, MS; the Jonesboro, AR Field Station; the Monroe, LA Field Station, or the Lafayette, LA Field Station.
To apply, please see our website at www.ducks.org/jobs to submit a
r
esume, professional references, and cover letter
stating your interest and qualifications for the position along with your vision for Ducks Unlimited's reforestation programs in the Mississippi Alluvial ValleyThis application will remain open until the position is filled.
Salary and Benefits Package : Salary commensurate with experience. We work hard to encourage everyone at Ducks Unlimited to bring their authentic selves to work every day. DU offers an exceptional benefits package that includes comprehensive group medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance, including spouse and dependent coverage; minimum three weeks paid vacation to start; paid sick leave and 10 paid holidays; 401(k) plan (including partial employer match); and tuition reimbursement.
DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, military status, disability, age, or genetic information except where age or gender is a bona fide occupational qualification as allowed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, age (40 or over), disability (physical, mental or visual), genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), military and veteran status, immigration status, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.
Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU), the world's leading waterfowl and wetland conservation organization, is seeking qualified candidates for a Flyway Forests Program Coordinator to join an interdisciplinary team of professionals and deliver our reforestation carbon program, Flyway Forests, in the four-state region of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Flyway Forests is a new DU initiative that restores bottomland hardwood forests for carbon sequestration and biodiversity outcomes. DU recruits private landowners to participate in the program using incentive payments for either permanent conservation easements or term agreements, in exchange for the rights to plant trees and sell carbon credits on the Voluntary Carbon Market. The program seeks to restore at least 10,000 acres of bottomland hardwood forests by 2030.
We are seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as the landowner engagement lead and program ambassador for Flyway Forests. The Program Coordinator will catalyze growth by managing the processes of landowner outreach, program enrollment, and land protection. This individual will conduct outreach, screen eligible properties through a digital platform, and educate landowners on their rights and responsibilities as participants in Flyway Forests. The Program Coordinator will maintain accurate geospatial records of project boundaries, draft purchase agreements, and facilitate the process of due diligence after contracts are signed. The Program Coordinator will provide regular updates to landowners during the various stages of project implementation, performance monitoring, and adaptive management. This person will play a critical role in ensuring compliance with carbon registry standards while cultivating positive relationships with project partners. As the liaison between landowners, DU staff, and the reforestation carbon program requirements, this individual must maintain robust documentation using databases, project management software, and GIS. When applicable, the Program Coordinator will coordinate with other Flyway Forests core team members to draft baseline documentation reports, contracts, and agreements, and conduct easement stewardship monitoring. This individual will serve as a representative of DU and must have a keen interest in and passion for conservation on private lands.
The Program Coordinator will work across multiple departments of DU, including the National Science Team, the Southern Region Conservation and Engineering Team, and the Marketing and Communications Team. This individual will also interface with DU's Lands Team for legal and land protection elements of the program. This is an interdisciplinary role that requires strong project management skills, attention to detail, excellent interpersonal communication, and a desire to learn and evolve with changes in the Voluntary Carbon Market.
This position will be responsible for providing leadership and guidance for continued success and improvement of Flyway Forests. The position will play a key role in DU's long-term success by enabling the organization to build, nurture, and maintain strong relationships with landowners, conservation entities, and corporate partners. There will be opportunities to collaborate with universities, agencies, non-profits, and other reforestation carbon programs to elevate the standards and efficiency of the program.
Duties and Responsibilities: Build on existing leads and program growth and develop new landowner outreach and engagement strategies with the goal of enrolling qualified private landowners in Flyway Forests program. Screen and process applications, educate landowners on program requirements, secure property deeds to confirm ownership, and document early-stage activities for carbon registry compliance. Serve as the landowners' primary point of contact throughout enrollment process, including contract negotiation and execution. Complete due diligence activities, including title insurance and curative work, with assistance from DU's lands professionals and outside counsel when necessary. With assistance from DU's Lands team, oversee preparation of landowner purchase agreements and conservation easement transaction closings, including baseline documentation. Coordinate with Regional Biologists to schedule DU and contractor site visits, finalize planting and reserved areas, and document project boundaries in GIS. Support Regional Biologists in planning and coordination of onsite activities (e.g., inventory, site prep, and tree planting). Stay abreast of and informed about changes in market and compliance trends. Document and support required compliance activities with the Flyway Forests team to ensure compatibility with carbon registry requirements and DU conservation easement terms. Support performance monitoring program and adaptive management requirements through coordination with consultants, Regional Biologists, and Flyway Forests core team. Promote reforestation and the co-benefits of water quality and wildlife habitat via engagement, outreach and education. Work with the Flyway Forests team to expand the program through additional ecosystem services markets including biodiversity and water quality crediting. Periodically evaluate Flyway Forests program for opportunities to develop new strategies to meet changing needs of landowners, DU, and Voluntary Carbon Market. Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in natural resource management, environmental science, land use planning, or equivalent. Advanced degree (e.g., M.S. or law degree) preferred but not required. Background in land transactions, conservation easements, or real estate law helpful. Minimum of three years of professional experience related to private lands transactions, conservation easement stewardship, project management, and/or environmental markets (e.g., wetland mitigation, carbon markets); more experience strongly preferred. GIS experience preferred. Demonstrated ability to manage competing deadlines, facilitate multiple projects, and meet high-quality standards for ecological restoration projects. Experience working with diverse public and private interests. Outstanding verbal and interpersonal communication skills; exceptional written communication skills and the ability to work both independently and as a member of a diverse conservation team. Strong attention to detail. Professional interests that align strongly with the goals of Flyway Forests as well as DU's conservation mission and vision. Desire and demonstrated ability to identify and address personal knowledge gaps; to learn on the job; and to cultivate sources of knowledge, expertise, and skill. Able and willing to travel frequently within the region of responsibility and occasionally beyond the service area.
The successful candidate will report to the Director of Conservation Programs and the National Carbon Program Lead and may office within the Mississippi Alluvial Valley at one of the following locations: the Southern Region Office in Ridgeland, MS; the Jonesboro, AR Field Station; the Monroe, LA Field Station, or the Lafayette, LA Field Station.
To apply, please see our website at www.ducks.org/jobs to submit a
r
esume, professional references, and cover letter
stating your interest and qualifications for the position along with your vision for Ducks Unlimited's reforestation programs in the Mississippi Alluvial ValleyThis application will remain open until the position is filled.
Salary and Benefits Package : Salary commensurate with experience. We work hard to encourage everyone at Ducks Unlimited to bring their authentic selves to work every day. DU offers an exceptional benefits package that includes comprehensive group medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance, including spouse and dependent coverage; minimum three weeks paid vacation to start; paid sick leave and 10 paid holidays; 401(k) plan (including partial employer match); and tuition reimbursement.
DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, military status, disability, age, or genetic information except where age or gender is a bona fide occupational qualification as allowed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, age (40 or over), disability (physical, mental or visual), genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), military and veteran status, immigration status, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.