Easement Program Stewardship Specialist

~ The Watershed Agricultural Council, a non profit organization, works to protect the NYC Watershed while supporting farm and forest land uses. ~  

With the help of 130 landowners, the Council protects over 24,000 acres of working farmland through conservation easements. Our goal is to add another 10,000 acres through conservation easement. This protection ensures these working landscapes in farm and forest will remain so for future generations - which protects water quality on behalf of nine million New York residents.

Position Overview

The Watershed Agricultural Council, a non profit organization working to protect the NYC Watershed while supporting farm and forest land uses, is seeking an Easement Program Stewardship Specialist to assist in the stewardship of agricultural conservation easements designed to protect agricultural and forestry viability and water quality.

Working under the direction of the Easement Program Stewardship Coordinator, the Stewardship Specialist stewards assigned conservation easement properties and projects and ensures that landowners are following the terms and conditions of their conservation easements.

This position is under the direct supervision of the Easement Stewardship Coordinator.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with landowners.
• Work with the Stewardship Coordinator and the Program Director to develop and implement conservation easement stewardship program initiatives.
• Work closely with landowners to steward their conservation easements and aid in the development and implementation of stewardship activities on their conservation easement encumbered properties.
• Effectively communicate any potential conservation easement issues from individual properties to the Stewardship Coordinator.
• Assist in the development of the annual monitoring calendar with the Stewardship Coordinator used to determine assigned properties.
• Maintain or develop (when applicable) Baseline Documentation Reports (BDR), property binders, stewardship files, and stewardship records database for all assigned properties, including mapping.
• Conduct annual monitoring of 40% of the easement portfolio as assigned.
• Process and implement reserved right requests from assigned properties, including development and implementation of stewardship plans (forestry, stream work and other relevant plans).
• Process and implement amendments requests from assigned properties.
• Process and manage violations and notifications from assigned properties.
• Coordinate stewardship activities for assigned properties with Stewardship Coordinator, DEP, DEC, WAP, Ag and Forestry Programs and other agencies as necessary.
• Provide assistance to landowners regarding ongoing easement issues.
• Assist in the development of stewardship policies, Guidelines and SOP's with the Program Director and Stewardship Coordinator.
• Provide input to Acquisition Specialists regarding development of land plan maps and easements.
• Coordinate with Program Executive Assistant to ensure proper administration, documentation and filing of all stewardship activities.
• Complete and record all necessary stewardship program reports.
• Other duties or projects as assigned by the Stewardship Coordinator.

Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in supporting/related field Strong written/verbal communication skills.
• 3 years related experience in land conservation or natural resource management.
• High degree of computer literacy.
• Outstanding human relation skills.
• Must have a valid and current driver’s license.

Specific Skills:

• Knowledge of the legal and technical aspects of Conservation Easements.
• End User experience with GIS.
• Knowledge of regional agriculture and forestry.
• Interpersonal skills and experience working with diverse demographics.

Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience; excellent benefits package including but not limited to 8% employer contribution to 403(b) pension; health, dental and vision insurance (employer pays 95% of cost of plan); and portable term life insurance policy.

To Apply

Please click below: "Apply" to upload your cover letter and resume. Review of applications will begin March 27, 2017.