Project Manager

~ The New Mexico Land Conservancy (NMLC) is a non-profit land trust organization, based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, dedicated to preserving New Mexico’s unique natural, cultural and agricultural heritage by helping people conserve the lands they love. ~

NMLC is one of the leaders in land conservation in the Southwest and, since 2002, has protected over 300,000 acres of high conservation value land throughout New Mexico and Arizona. NMLC’s long-term goal is to protect, directly or in partnership with others, one million acres of high conservation-value lands throughout New Mexico, with a specific emphasis on significant wildlife habitat, productive agricultural lands, water and other natural resources, cultural and historic sites, scenic open space and recreational lands at community, watershed and landscape scales.

NMLC achieves its conservation goals by:

1. Using conservation easements and other voluntary and protection methods that respect both land and private property rights;
2. Educating landowners, other organizations, public policy makers and the general public about land conservation; and
3. Promoting policy and legislation to further voluntary land conservation and enhance related benefits for private landowners.

NMLC is dedicated to the highest quality work and operates as a learning organization with a work culture based on consensus, collaboration and teamwork. NMLC offers competitive compensation, excellent benefits, a flexible work environment and professional development opportunities. NMLC is currently staffed by an Executive Director, a Southern New Mexico Project Manager, a Communications & Marketing Manager, a Stewardship Coordinator and a Finance & Administration Manager, and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.

Position Summary

The Project Manager will work to protect land and water across New Mexico – with a primary focus on northern and eastern New Mexico - through conservation planning, outreach, conservation easement and land acquisition, fundraising, partnering and policy work. This exciting position will blend individual, parcel-by-parcel transactions with community, watershed and landscape land conservation efforts. The Project Manager will also oversee NMLC’s Stewardship Program and supervise the Stewardship Coordinator and any interns/volunteers that are engaged for easement monitoring. The position will be based in Santa Fe with frequent travel around New Mexico.

Position Scope and Responsibilities

NMLC seeks a qualified and motivated individual to provide technical expertise, leadership and support to the organization by planning, generating, implementing, managing and helping fund land conservation activities, including conservation easement, fee title acquisitions and transfers; landowner and community outreach; and project-related fundraising activities in support of the organization’s mission and in accordance with its established policies, plans and strategies. This position will report to the Executive Director and work closely with the entire staff and Board.

The primary responsibilities of the Project Manager include:

Land Conservation

• Work closely with both the Executive Director and Southern New Mexico Project Manager to generate, negotiate, guide and implement NMLC’s statewide and regional conservation easement, fee title and other land conservation transactions.
• Manage projects (including related budgets and timelines) and coordinate with outside consultants/contractors in the development and completion of land protection projects, including project design, drafting of conservation easements and other agreements, appraisal, baseline documentation, mineral, water rights and environmental assessment, title review and other project-related due diligence.
• Identify land conservation funding opportunities, develop project-related applications and grant  proposals, and, as needed, assist Executive Director and staff with other fundraising activities.
• Ensure NMLC’s land conservation efforts comply with federal and state statutes, as well as internal guidelines, policies and accreditation standards.
• Coordinate the project evaluation, prioritization and selection process with conservation staff and partners.
• Refine land conservation project review and tracking procedures and systems.

Outreach & Communications

• Respond to land conservation inquiries from private landowners, community groups, public agencies and the general public.
• Initiate interest in land protection and generate new projects/transactions through outreach to and regular meetings with private landowners, community groups, public agencies and other conservation organizations.
• Gain cooperation from outside parties to accomplish goals and objectives. Partner with other public and private entities, as appropriate, to leverage resources toward the furtherance of NMLC’s mission.
• Contribute project articles and updates to newsletters, electronic bulletins, website content and annual reports and other communications materials.
• Maintain regular communication with the Executive Director and, as requested, provide summaries and updates to the staff and Board.

Stewardship

• Oversee NMLC’s Stewardship Program, including supervising the new Stewardship Coordinator. Provide guidance for conservation/stewardship staff and interns, as needed, regarding conservation easement stewardship, monitoring and legal defense.
• Assist conservation/stewardship staff, as needed, with management planning for fee properties owned by NMLC.

Organizational Development

• Provide support for Conservation Committee and Board meetings as requested by the Executive Director.
• Ensure NMLC remains up to date and in compliance with Land Trust Alliance Standards &
• Practices as they relate to our conservation and stewardship activities, and support NMLC’s professional accreditation through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.

Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree preferred) in relevant field (real estate, law, business, natural resource planning/management, etc.) and at least two years of experience in negotiating, managing and funding conservation easements, fee acquisitions and other conservation real estate transactions, including all associated due diligence.
• Past experience with foundation and government grant writing and funding programs such as NRCS/ACEP, LWCF, Forest Legacy, USFWS/NAWCA, or local and state conservation funding programs.
• Excellent computer skills – Micosoft Office, Word, Excel, experience with GPS, GIS, ArcGIS preferred.
• Familiarity with New Mexico and/or western landscapes and communities is preferred, particularly an ability to work with urban as well as rural, agricultural landowners.
• Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills, diplomacy and negotiation skills.
• Must be willing to work some overtime, evenings and weekends.
• Must be willing to travel frequently and use personal vehicle, as necessary, in the performance of work-related activities – travel expenses will be reimbursed.
• Must be willing and physically able to work in the field.
• Must be a self-starter, well-organized and able to make decisions based on analysis, experience and judgment.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment to meet established goals and deadlines.
• Must be committed to the organization’s conservation mission and be able to maintain strong, positive, collegial working relationships with staff and Board, as well as outside partners, professional advisors and consultants.
• Must be willing to contribute to maintaining a collegial, efficient and ethical working environment with staff, Board and others. A sense of humor is appreciated even if it is not that good.

Compensation

Benefits of the Position

• This is a full-time position with potential for advancement.
• Salary range $55,000 to $65,000 – starting salary commensurate with experience.
• Annual salary increases are based on performance and available funding.
• Two weeks paid vacation and two weeks paid sick leave to start.
• Participation in NMLC’s group health insurance plan.
• Enrollment in NMLC’s retirement plan after one year of employment.
• Training and professional development opportunities available as annual budgets permit.

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to email your cover letter, resume and three references in a single PDF document by email by July 31, 2020, with your complete name and job title in the subject line.
• Failure to follow these instructions may result in disqualification.
• No phone calls will be taken regarding this job announcement. Candidates will be notified regarding the status of their applications.
• For further information about the organization, please visit NMLC’s website.

NMLC is an equal opportunity employer and provides a smoke-free, drug-free workplace.