Realty Specialist

Realty Specialist (1 position)

Great Lakes Atlantic Region: USDA NRCS Iowa State Office Des Moines, IA

Part-Time, Term Ducks Unlimited Position, August 2026-2028 

 Application Deadline: August 15th, 2026 (or until filled)

Ducks Unlimited (DU) is an American nonprofit conservation organization 501(c) with a mission to conserve, restore, and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. This mission closely parallels the goals and mission of one of DU’s biggest partners, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and specifically their conservation easement programs administered through the Farm Bill. The NRCS’s Wetland Reserve Easement’s (WRE) restore and conserve thousands of acres of wetland and grassland habitat each year. In partnership with NRCS, DU is assisting NRCS with the delivery of conservation easement programs to increase NRCS’s capacity to meet growing funding levels. This position will be based out of the USA-NRCS Iowa State Office in Des Moines, IA. 

This position will report directly to DU’s Big Rivers Initiative Working Lands Coordinator. This position is part-time (18-24hr per week) for a 2-year term with the opportunity to extend based upon funding availability. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Realty Specialist serves as a technical resource and subject matter expert on real estate laws, principles, and conservation easement transactions associated with Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) easements and other conservation easement activities. 

Responsibilities include:

• Provide technical support and guidance to the State Conservationist, Assistant State Conservationist for Easements, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, field offices, and program staff regarding easement acquisition, administration, and enforcement activities.
• Apply Farm Bill regulations, NRCS policies, manuals, handbooks, and procedures to evaluate easement applications, process acquisitions, and administer easements.
• Review real property title commitments, title opinions, surveys, appraisals, easement deeds, affidavits, organizational documents, subordination agreements, and other required real estate documents for completeness and compliance.
• Coordinate with landowners, attorneys, title companies, surveyors, appraisers, closing agents, NRCS staff, USDA Office of General Counsel (OGC), and other partners to resolve title issues and facilitate easement transactions.
• Prepare acquisition packages and documentation necessary for easement closings and obligations. 
• Assist with obtaining and reviewing title commitments, title policies, surveys, appraisals, and other due diligence services.
• Provide guidance regarding acceptable title exceptions, title deficiencies, and corrective actions required to ensure clear title.
• Conduct and coordinate conservation easement closings and post-closing activities.
• Populate, maintain, and review information within the National Easement Staging Tool (NEST), Document Management System (DMS), and other agency databases.
• Review final deliverables from vendors, including title services, surveys, and appraisals, and assist with invoice processing and payment documentation.
• Assist with annual easement monitoring activities, including reviewing title updates (rundowns), documenting title changes, and identifying encumbrances or compliance concerns.
• Review easement administration requests, title changes, and potential violations, and provide recommendations to state leadership.
• Research and analyze legal, regulatory, and policy issues related to conservation easements and prepare recommendations for agency actions.
• Assist in the preparation of administrative appeal documentation related to conservation easement programs.
• Maintain tracking systems and provide written and verbal status updates on assigned easement projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Agricultural Economics, Natural Resource Management, Law, Public Administration, or a closely related field; OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience reviewing and interpreting real estate documents, title commitments, title opinions, deeds, contracts, surveys, or legal instruments associated with real property transactions.
• Knowledge of real estate principles, property law, title review processes, and land acquisition activities.
• Ability to analyze complex information, identify issues, and develop practical solutions.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with multiple stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, and database systems.
• Valid state driver's license.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with NRCS conservation easement programs, including ACEP-WRE and ACEP-ALE.
• Knowledge of conservation easement acquisition, administration, and enforcement procedures.
• Experience working with title insurance companies, closing agents, attorneys, surveyors, and appraisers.
• Familiarity with Farm Bill conservation programs and federal land conservation initiatives.
• Knowledge of federal real property acquisition regulations and real estate transaction processes.
• Experience utilizing NEST, DMS, Conservation Desktop, or other NRCS business tools.
• Ability to interpret and apply federal regulations, policy manuals, and legal guidance.
• Experience coordinating multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Strong customer service and relationship management skills.

Benefits/Salary: Salary commensurate with experience & education. DU offers an exceptional benefit package, including comprehensive group medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance, including spouse and dependent coverage; three weeks paid vacation, paid sick leave, and ten paid holidays; 401(k) plan (including partial employer match); and tuition reimbursement.

Application: Please fill out all application materials and attach a cover letter, resume, and three professional references. Applications will be accepted through August 15th, 2026, or until a qualified applicant is identified.