Specifications include, but are not limited to: Task 1: Employ up to two Conservation Easement Specialists Description: Contractor will employ up to two Conservation Easement Specialists through August 1, 2026 to work on activities that are in support of the mission of the DNR Forestry Section’s Forest Legacy Program. In completing this task, Contractor shall: a. Consult with DNR prior to offering employment to any individual under this Cooperative Agreement. Contractor shall include DNR representatives in candidate interviews. b. Pay the Conservation Easement Specialist(s) a beginning wage of $20.00 per hour, an increase for each additional year worked by each individual based upon Contractors most recent compensation study, and require a standard work week of 40 hours worked per week. c. Provide the Conservation Easement Specialist(s) with standard benefits that are customarily available to other employees of a similar status or nature including paid leaves of absence. d. Provide relevant training opportunities and require the Conservation Easement Specialist(s) to attend all meetings and trainings required by the DNR’s State Forester, and all necessary trainings required to safely perform job duties. Task 1: DNR shall provide the funding for the Conservation Easement Specialist(s) and will coordinate with the Contractor on the work performed by these individuals. Description: DNR shall work with the Contractor to ensure the position description as well as the work assignments of these individuals conform to the DNR’s mission. DNR shall also fund these positions in an amount not to exceed the amount provided in Section 7 of this Cooperative Agreement. Task 2: Task 2: Creation of priorities for each Conservation Easement Specialist and monitoring of day-to-day work. Description: The DNR shall set the priorities of each Conservation Easement Specialist regarding easement monitoring and assistance, data collection, due diligence work, and other technical duties that they will perform. The DNR will monitor the day to day work of the Conservation Easement Specialist(s) including short- and long-term goals, which will be created in cooperation with DNR and the Contractor. The DNR shall develop annual performance plans to assess the work performance of each Conservation Easement Specialist. If issues arise that cannot be easily addressed by the Conservation Easement Specialist(s), the individual will work with the State Forester or Forest Legacy Program Lead to address the issue. Task 3: DNR shall provide the Forestry Section structure within which the Conservation Easement Specialist(s) shall work. Description: The State Forester shall provide regular communication with program staff including DNR permanent staff, Conservation Easement Specialist(s), and other temporary and partnership positions. In consultation with the Contractor and other stakeholders, the State Forester shall communicate statewide priorities which are used to seek out funding opportunities, staffing needs, and staff time priorities. The State Forester coordinates the accomplishment reports, training opportunities, and special events. Conservation Easement Specialist(s) will be invited to trainings and other continuing education opportunities when they are available alongside other DNR staff. This includes Forestry Section staff meetings and local DNR district meetings. This will help to keep the Conservation Easement Specialist(s) engaged with others in the forestry conservation community and informed on new research and techniques. Task 4: DNR shall provide office space, vehicles, phone, computers, communications, and GIS support to each of the Conservation Easement Specialist(s). Description: The DNR shall provide each Conservation Easement Specialist with a computer, cell phone, and other computer software and communications support. GIS training and support shall be provided by the DNR GIS Section including how to enter accomplishments into the existing DNR GIS tracking system. The Conservation Easement Specialist(s) shall complete tracking quarterly. This will allow DNR to query out the individual accomplishments of the Conservation Easement Specialist(s).
