Land Protection Associate

General Position Summary: Works to further the organization’s mission as it relates to implementing conservation and outreach initiatives. Specific responsibilities include managing conservation transactions, conducting site visits to conservation easement properties, producing baseline documentation reports, developing GIS maps, assisting with strategic conservation planning efforts, landowner database management and participating in and/or leading certain outreach programs.

Essential Functions:

• Conservation Programs: Implementing land and water protection projects and real estate transactions, including conducting site assessments, land planning, and natural resource inventories; assisting with drafting and negotiating conservation easements, contracts, options, and purchase and sale agreements; arranging for appraisals, surveys, title and legal reviews, and environmental assessments; producing baseline documentation reports; preparing reports and providing regular updates to the executive director and land conservation committee; developing and/or assisting in the development of land or easement acquisition grants; and assisting with the maintenance of the grant tracking system.
• Conservation Easement Stewardship: Conducting annual and periodic monitoring site visits; assisting with easement research and responding to requests from easement landowners for approvals, notice responses, amendments, etc.; updating the Conservancy’s stewardship database; and assisting with archiving/record-keeping activities.
• Cartography: Producing project maps utilizing GIS applications and GPS equipment for conservation projects, baseline documentation reports, land management plans, and other assignments as requested.
• Outreach & Community Relations: Assisting with education and outreach to community members and landowners to promote projects and programs of DALC; facilitating an understanding of compliance of conservation easements and resource best management practices; and developing and maintaining meaningful contacts and relationships with landowners and community members.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural resource science, forestry, or other applicable field; advanced degree a plus. Prior experience and training may be substituted, if applicable.
• Considerable knowledge of GIS required and working knowledge of GPS a plus; substantial knowledge of land conservation, real estate transactions, natural resource science, land management, agricultural and forestry, and/or best management practices a plus.
• Prior mapping and map design work preferred.
• Must have outstanding written, verbal, and time management skills and attention to detail.
• Must be able to juggle and prioritize a variety of tasks and projects simultaneously and work with diversity of people.
• Prior experience and/or training delivering community education programs preferred.
• Must be willing to work on average one weekend day every couple of months for site visits and/or events.