Job Announcement: Director of Land Protection, Pee Dee Land Trust

Job Announcement: Director of Land Protection, Pee Dee Land Trust

Employer: Pee Dee Land Trust (PDLT) is a fast-growing nonprofit land conservation organization accredited by the national Land Trust Alliance. PDLT operates in a nine-county region of northeastern South Carolina; each county is represented on the Board of Directors.

The mission of PDLT is to protect, and to promote an appreciation of, the natural, agricultural, and historical resources of the Pee Dee Region in SC. The organization has traditionally used educational activities and voluntary conservation easements as its primary tools to pursue its mission. PDLT has worked with landowners on 39 easement projects and has protected more than 15,000 acres in the past 7 years. Read more about the organization at www.peedeelandtrust.org

Overview: The Director of Land Protection works with landowners, conservation partners (e.g. local, state and federal governments and other nonprofits) and volunteers to protect significant land and water resources in the nine-county Pee Dee region of northeastern South Carolina. This position reports directly to the Executive Director, and works closely with the PDLT Land Protection Committee and the Land Stewardship Committee.

The Director of Land Protection is responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of conservation easements, property donations and property transactions. This involves developing strategies for landowner contacts, negotiating easements and land acquisition projects, and long-term monitoring of easements.

Time Commitment: This is a full time (40+ hr/wk) position with occasional evening and weekend work required.

Location: Pee Dee Region, office located in downtown Florence, SC. Travel required, within a 120-mile radius.

Responsibilities

Land Transactions (Conservation Easement, Land Donation and Acquisition)

• Coordinate all aspects of the donation and purchase of easements and land for approved projects, including development of conservation easements and review by appropriate parties.

• Work with Land Protection Committee (LPC) to prioritize land projects and provide background reports to Executive Director and Board.

• Work with Land Protection Committee to customize easement language to PDLT policies, landowner needs, and IRS requirements.

• Review and prepare reports, documents and forms related to easement and land transactions according to PDLT policies and Land Trust Alliance standards and practices.

• Project Management

• Develop and manage projects and budgets based on organization, board and committee goals.

• Work with staff to assist in the preparation and writing of grants associated with land projects.

• Maintain complete and current transaction files and reports on all PDLT conservation easements and land acquisitions.

• Deliver land protection outcomes, results and reports required by Executive Director, funders and government agencies.

• Provide support to Executive Director and LPC, including: preparing project reports on all property under consideration, set meeting agendas, take minutes, distribute meeting materials, and follow up on assigned tasks.

• Continually document and improve PDLT policies and procedures and apply Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices.

Outreach, Planning and Project Evaluation

• Develop and continually improve land selection criteria and landowner contact process and materials.

• Develop landowner contact training materials and recruit and train volunteers to assist with landowner contacts.

• Develop strategies for landowner contacts, respond to landowners who have expressed an interest in conservation easements and property donations, establish close working relationships leading to high levels of trust with landowners and partners.

• Assess land according to PDLT criteria, present options to the landowner and Executive Director, and develop proposals for review by Executive Director, committees, and board of directors.

• Discuss and meet with individuals, companies, local governments and others looking to PDLT for assistance with land protection.

• Develop and manage land protection and project area plans to meet PDLT strategic goals.

• Build a strong land protection program for a small organization, including policy-writing, strategic thinking, and assistance in fundraising to meet the region’s needs;

• Educate the public about land conservation purposes and opportunities.

• Work with other staff to enact and uphold record keeping policies and procedures required to meet Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices.

Conservation Easement Management and Coordination

• Maintain relationships with landowners of easement-protected land through periodic monitoring, ongoing coordination about permitted uses and approvals, and communication about potential violations.

• Continually improve easement monitoring procedures, volunteer training and tools.

• Recruit, train and work with volunteers as needed.

• Maintain land protection files according to PDLT’s record keeping policies and procedures.

This position may include use of GIS software and GPS devices, days in the field during all seasons, time spent at a computer or filing cabinet. Other tasks as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: bachelor’s degree or greater. Preferred: Master’s or other graduate degree in relevant field.

• Experience: 3+ years of experience in similar or closely related field such as planning, law, real estate transaction, sales related to agriculture/forestry. Preferred: Experience working with land trusts; Experience managing staff for sustainable productivity and mutual job satisfaction.

• Technological Skills: Proficiency in internet research, all standard office productivity software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook/email software). Strong familiarity with mapping software/hardware (e.g. GPS units & GIS software, ArcGIS) and willingness to expand capabilities.

• Subject matter skills: Understand concepts related to ecology and ecosystems, ecosystem restoration and ability to describe conservation value of property; familiarity with farming or forestry in the southeast. Experience with and knowledge of land protection concepts and legal, financial and real estate issues involved in land protection.

• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to relate to, negotiate with and build trust with landowners and partners. Ability to meet deadlines and work within budget constraints. Entrepreneurial spirit and ability to effectively manage multiple projects with often-changing circumstances and deadlines. Ability to concentrate in busy office setting. Willingness to work alone or as a collaborator as circumstances dictate. Ability to communicate through small group or large audience settings.

Other: Personal vehicle, driver’s license & insurance. Physical strength to meet job description requirements. This office is on 2nd floor of a walk-up-only building.

Salary/Benefits: Salary range $40k-$50k, depending on qualifications. Benefits include paid holidays; generous paid time off; travel reimbursement; stipend for health care; stipend for cell phone.

Application Instructions & Process: Send substantive letter of interest (1-2 pages), resumé or c.v., and 3 references to David Harper, Executive Director, Pee Dee Land Trust, PO Box 2134, Florence, SC 29503 or dharper. Direct questions to 843.667.3229 x302.

Applications will be received until February 7th, 2013; in-person interviews required for finalists in late-February. Start date March 2013. Applicants with complete application packages will be notified by email of decision.

David Harper

Executive Director * Pee Dee Land Trust

2nd floor, 154 W. Evans Street * PO Box 2134 * Florence, SC 29503

843.667.3229 x302 * www.peedeelandtrust.org