Southeast Land Protection Coordinator

Trout Unlimited (TU) is dedicated to the conservation, protection and restoration of trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds. The organization has more than 140,000 members in 400 chapters across North America. TU's vision is that, by the next generation, trout and salmon will be restored throughout their native range.

Position Overview: 

TU recently launched an Eastern Land Protection Project focused on partnerships with the land trust community to protect and restore land critical for eastern brook trout and other coldwater fisheries. The Southeastern Land Protection Coordinator is a new staff position that will work in southern Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia with a variety of partners, including TU's state councils and chapters, land trusts, state and federal agencies, landowners, local watershed groups, and other non-profit organizations.

Responsibilities:

The Southeast Land Protection Coordinator must be entrepreneurial, organized, and a problem-solver. The principle duties of the coordinator will be to:

• Engage TU members and other sportsmen and sportswomen as advocates for land protection projects.
• Introduce TU's GIS-based spatial analysis tool, the Conservation Success Index, to the land trust community in order to help inform land protection priorities.
• Identify overlapping priorities with land trusts and collaborate on land protection projects that are a high priority for brook trout and other coldwater fisheries.
• With TU chapters and councils, engage in partnerships with land trusts and other land management entities to restore eastern brook trout and other coldwater fisheries habitat on protected lands.
• With TU chapters and councils, work with the land trust community to increase federal and state funding sources for land acquisition and conservation easements.
• Work with TU development staff on fundraising, including identifying potential funding sources, drafting grant proposals, and developing relationships with funders.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree a plus.
• Professional experience in natural resource management, land protection, and land trust operations required.
• Superior interpersonal skills and ability to work constructively with a wide range of partners.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Previous experience with media, outreach, or education helpful.
• Good organizational and problem solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative to coordinate numerous partners.
• Willingness to travel within the region as necessary.
• Working knowledge of GIS and Microsoft Office programs strongly preferred.
• Passion for protecting and restoring trout streams and their watersheds.

To Apply: 

Send or email cover letter, resume, and 1-2 page writing sample to Nathaniel Gillespie, Eastern Land Protection Project Director.

Trout Unlimited
1300 North 17th Street
Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22209