Conservation Director

~ Founded in 1990, North Olympic Land Trust is a nonprofit conserving the natural areas and working lands that define and sustain the communities of the North Olympic Peninsula. ~

The Land Trust is dedicated to the conservation of open spaces, local food, local resources, healthy watersheds and recreational opportunities. We strive to conserve the farms, fish and forests that improve our community’s quality of life.

Position Summary

Based in Port Angeles, Washington, the Conservation Director is a permanent full-time exempt position that oversees the Land Trust’s efforts toward land protection, easement stewardship and land management on the North Olympic Peninsula. The position supervises a land protection specialist and land manager, while taking direct leadership of stewarding the Land Trust’s current 77 conservation easements.

The conservation director reports to the executive director. The position requires a mission-driven strategic planner who is skilled at managing and implementing the details of multiple dynamic projects in a collaborative work environment.

Responsibilities 

• Lead the Land Trust’s conservation department, including its land protection efforts, monitoring of existing conservation easements, and management of owned property,
• Supervise the land protection specialist and land manager, with an emphasis on providing strategic leadership for these activities,
• Directly oversee all aspects of the organization’s easement stewardship program, including the monitoring of all easements, compliance with the organization’s policies and best practices as described by the Land Trust Alliance and Land Trust Accreditation Commission, proactively working with landowners and perspective land owners on management issues as appropriate, and respond to violations and reserved rights requests,
• Design and implement the conservation department budget in partnership with conservation staff, and
• Act as the lead staff for the Land Trust’s conservation committee.

Qualifications

• Passion for the mission of North Olympic Land Trust,
• Bachelor’s degree in conservation, natural resource management, planning, or related field required; Master’s degree, Juris Doctorate and/or legal experience preferred,
• At least five years of experience in land conservation and stewardship, direct experience working for a land trust greatly preferred,
• Knowledge of land conservation strategies and tactics, including a variety of tools that encourage land-use decisions that enhance ecological, economic and social resilience,
• Experience working in partnership with rural landowners, civic groups, federal and state agencies, county, and municipal partners,
• Proven results in leading and supervising a team of staff and volunteers in collaborative efforts that allow each team member to highlight their strengths and grow their competencies,
• Ability to work effectively and personably with a variety of people, including board members, volunteers, private forest landowners, farmers, other landowners, and conservation professionals,
• Desire and demonstrated ability to identify and address personal knowledge gaps; to learn on the job; and to cultivate sources of knowledge, expertise, and skill,
• Close attention to detail and accuracy, excellent organizational skills, and proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team,
• Outstanding verbal and interpersonal community relation skills; Exceptional written communication skills,
• Proficient in all aspects of Microsoft Office,
• Skilled with ArcMap, ArcView, or arcgis online data management and mapping preferred, and
• Valid driver’s license and personal auto insurance required.

Physical Work Requirements:

• The working environment of the Conservation Director is both in a professional office setting and out on current and potential conservation property.
• This position is expected to often travel to off-site locations on the North Olympic Peninsula in order to attend meetings, visit conserved lands, and other job-related activities.
• The office duties are often sedentary and require the ability to use a keyboard, complete written documents, operate general office equipment, and be able to lift 15-20 lbs.
• Field work involves the ability to move over rough terrain for extended distances and to navigate alone in remote areas.

Compensation

• Commensurate with experience.
• Benefits include paid holidays, vacation, health and disability insurance, and sick leave.

To Apply

• Qualified candidates should send their resume and cover letter here.
• Please include the words “Conservation Director” in the subject line.
• No faxes or recruiters please.
• Open until filled; applicant review will begin on Monday, June 24, 2019.