Land Protection Manager

~ Founded in 1984, the Adirondack Land Trust (ALT) protects farms and forests, undeveloped shoreline, scenic vistas, and lands and waters contributing to the quality of life of Adirondack communities as well as the region’s wildness and rural character. ~

We work with partners to fulfill the promise of the Adirondack Park as a place of resilient lands, waters and communities. Land trusts harness three fundamental values: private initiative, community cooperation and a deep connection to the land. The Adirondack Land Trust has protected 26,628 acres since 1984. We currently oversee 16,200 acres under conservation easement in 78 ownerships, and we own ~1500 acres of lands in fee. ALT received Land Trust Alliance (LTA) accreditation in March 2019.

Position Overview

ALT seeks a detail-oriented, creative, collaborative and experienced professional to manage the acquisition of lands and conservation easements. ALT’s projects are often large-scale and involve working with public and private partners.

The Land Protection Manager will lead and facilitate fee-simple and development-rights transactions from inception to closing. Tasks include conservation easement and fee title negotiation and acquisition, management and critical review of due diligence, budgeting and financial reporting, and project-management consistent with ALT’s policies and the highest ethical standards. This position will also work closely with the conservation team to identify and evaluate projects for fee or easement protection, including management and stewardship needs.

The position will engage in landowner outreach, represent ALT to key constituencies, and help identify funding sources and build collaborative partnerships. This position offers a tremendous opportunity for an entrepreneurial conservation professional to lead the next generation of Adirondack partnerships and projects. The Land Protection Manager will work directly with a growing team comprising the executive director and conservation staff, and work with natural resource consultants as needed. This staffer will work from ALT’s headquarters in the High Peaks Region of the Adirondacks. KEY

Responsibilities

• Land Protection Project Identification and Completion Implement ALT’s conservation priorities through strategic prioritization, proactive outreach and responsive landowner communications.
• Determine conservation options for projects and prepare project summaries for staff and board review.
• Coordinate with local partners, governments and stakeholders to ensure project success.
• Transaction Management In coordination with the executive director and legal counsel, lead all aspects of fee simple and conservation easement projects including contract negotiation and easement drafting.
• The candidate must be skilled in overseeing and evaluating real estate appraisals, Phase I environmental investigations, property surveys and legal descriptions, title work and other due diligence.
• Work includes managing project-related records in compliance with ALT’s policies and Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices.
• Partner and Community Outreach Represent ALT’s conservation programs in stakeholder meetings and other forums.
• Conservation Program Support Work with E.D., board and staff to develop annual goals and work plans.
• Assist in identifying funding sources as well as writing proposals and reports.

Qualifications

•  A passion for conservation and the Adirondacks.
• Excellent communication and listening skills to engage potential and existing partners, including private land owners, foresters, farmers, government agencies and communities.
• A track record of negotiating, financing and managing fee and conservation easement projects.
• Experience in details of real estate transactions - such as appraisals, surveys, environmental assessments, tax law and land use planning.
• Experience building long-term partnerships with stakeholders to develop successful projects.
• Experience obtaining funds from public and private sources for land and conservation easement acquisitions, with fulfillment of funding requirements, including reporting.
• Experience working effectively both unsupervised and with teams.
• Strong commitment to high standards and personal accountability.
• Minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional training in natural resource management, conservation real estate, planning, law and/or a related field.
• Ability to travel throughout northern New York and occasionally within/outside of New York State, including some evening and weekend work.
• Ability to navigate by foot over rough terrain, and in sometimes inclement weather.
• Ability to use GIS and GPS, and to manage project information in land conservation software.

Benefits and Compensation

• Reports to: Executive Director
• Supervises: None
• Salary: Full-time, competitive salary
• Benefits: Paid vacation and holidays; matching contribution to 403b; health, vision and dental
• Admin support: Must be prepared to handle own correspondence, filing and record keeping

To Apply

Please click  "Apply" below to email resume and cover letter by August 30, 2019, to: Adirondack Land Trust PO Box 130 Keene, NY 12942.

~ Adirondack Land Trust is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, color, creed, marital status, national origin, or veteran status. We strive for a collegial environment of people who generate innovative ideas and work hard to implement them. We also understand the value of work/life balance. ~