Land Trust Director

~ Friends of the Columbia Gorge is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the spectacular lands of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area through advocacy, litigation, public outreach and recreation enhancement. ~

In 2005, the organization created Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust, a 509(a)(3) support organization, to add land acquisition and land management to its conservation toolbox. Today, the land trust owns and manages over 1,400 acres of land, including two properties with trails open to the public.

Founded in 1980, Friends of the Columbia Gorge has over 7,000 members in Oregon, Washington and beyond, a staff of nineteen employees and offices in Portland and Hood River, OR and Washougal, WA. Friends is considered one of the best conservation non-profit organizations to work for in the Pacific Northwest and our average tenure per employee is over seven years.

Staff appreciates the compelling mission as well as generous vacation time, holidays, health insurance coverage (98% of individual benefit covered and 50% coverage for spouses and dependents), short and long-term disability insurance and an employer-contributed retirement plan. The organization conducts day-long quarterly outings to Gorge sites to learn, enjoy and recharge. .

Position Overview

This is a new position (formerly a manager role) and with it, the ideal candidate will step beyond acquisition and management of lands and help chart the future direction of the land trust. This position interacts with all programs across our fast-paced organization and the Land Trust Director will maximize the capabilities of Friends’ communications, fundraising, lobbying and outreach to achieve the land trust’s goals. Leadership and organizational skills are essential, as is the knowledge of conservation, real estate and land-use matters.

The Land Trust Director oversees the acquisition, management and disposition of lands held by the Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust and manages staff to carry out those responsibilities. The position requires an ability to conduct land transactions through completion; negotiating and closing fee-simple and easement transactions along with utilizing counsel and contractors effectively and efficiently. Initiating and sustaining successful landowner contact with a wide variety of individuals, some of whom may not be committed to the Trust's conservation agenda, are skills necessary to succeed in this position. The position also oversees the short and long-term management of the trust properties. In coordination with the Stewardship Coordinator and Land Trust Trustees, the Director prioritizes land management activities and restoration efforts and supports staff to ensure success.

The Land Trust Director will also supervise the Stewardship Coordinator and the Gorge Towns to Trails Project Manager. Gorge Towns to Trails is a vision for a 200-mile loop trail around the Columbia Gorge connecting communities to wild places. The land trust plays a critical role in making these land connections happen as well as creating trails through non-public lands.

Finally, the Director is the ambassador, voice and guiding star for the land trust. The position requires a skilled communicator working with co-workers and trustees, agency staffers, elected officials, the media and donors.

Responsibilities

Program Management (75% of time):

• Works with the Executive Director and Trustees to set a proactive agenda for the land trust: documenting high-priority properties, keeping Director and Trustees abreast of potential acquisitions, conveyance opportunities, and any land management issues
• With Executive Director, leads Trustees and staff through strategic planning process in 2018
• Follows standards and practices of the Land Trust Alliance and works with consultant volunteers to submit the accreditation application in 2018
• Acquires fee simple and easement properties, managing projects from initial landowner contact through completion
• Works with public agencies to transfer land trust held properties to those agencies
• Manages and provides tools for success for the Gorge Towns to Trails Project Manager and the Land Trust Stewardship Coordinator

Outreach (10%):

• Serves as the land trust’s representative and/or spokesperson at meetings, conferences, press conferences, etc.
• Develops and maintains successful working relationships with officials and agencies that purchase land in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
• Develops and maintains mutually beneficial networking relationships with other land trusts and local realtors
• Serves as primary contact with the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts and the Land Trust Alliance

Fundraising (5%):

• Works with the Executive and Development Directors and key individuals to carry out a development plan for raising funds adequate to meet the Trust’s short-term and long-term needs
• Investigates and pursues federal and state funding to secure, dispose and manage lands

Administration (10%):

• Serves as a staff contact for the Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust Board of Trustees, developing agendas, staff reports, attending meetings and serving and advising trustees
• Works with Finance Director to establish annual budget

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of experience with land trusts, real estate, community development, finance, or related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, preferably with a history conducting real estate transactions for protective purposes
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multitask
• Creative, self-motivated individual who works well alone and in groups
• Commitment to the protection and enhancement of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
• Familiarity with GIS systems, particularly ArcView, preferred
• Familiarity with Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices and Accreditation Process preferred
• Knowledge of the Pacific Northwest conservation and political climate preferred

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to upload your résumé, cover letter and references with “Land Trust Director” in the subject line. Applications accepted until Nov. 17, 2017. No phone calls please.

~ Friends of the Columbia Gorge is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse workforce. Women, people of color, people with disabilities and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply ~