Southern New York Land Steward

~ The Open Space Institute, Inc. protects scenic, natural and historic landscapes to ensure public enjoyment, conserve habitats, and sustain community character. OSI achieves its goals through land acquisition, conservation easements, loan and grant programs, creative partnerships, and analytical research. ~ 

Position Overview

The Land Steward will work as part of OSI's Stewardship Program team. This position reports to OSI's Director of Stewardship based in Warwick and will assist in the monitoring and management of OSI fee lands and conservation easements in southern New York State.

The Land Steward serves as the initial point person for all stewardship related matters in southern New York State. Therefore, the Land Steward must be able to work independently and take initiative in the management of OSI's portfolio of fee lands and easements in southern New York State.

For conservation easements, the Land Steward is responsible to steward easements in accordance with LTA Standards and Practices and OSI's own conservation easement policy. For lands and buildings owned by OSI, the Land Steward will assist in management actions undertaken directly by OSI and third parties

The Land Steward will also develop, or oversee the development of Baseline Documentation Reports (BDR) for all new easements, and Land Management Plans (LMP) for all new fee lands acquired by OSI in Southern New York State, and throughout the state upon request by the Director of Stewardship. 

Responsibilities  

Acquisition: 

• Prepares stewardship evaluations in advance of acquisition; 
• Develops BDR's for new easements, and LMPs for new fee lands in southern New York State, and in some cases, throughout New York State. 

Stewardship/Conservation Easements:  

Responsible for all activities associated with conservation easement and fee land stewardship, including: 

• Annual monitoring;
• General responses to and communication with landowners;
• Review of landowner development plans and exercise of reserved rights in consultation with supervisor;
• Updating of BDRs and easement binders;
• Works with supervisor to develop response to all field issues, including (potential) violations, field work, land management, encroachments, etc.; and
• Reviews proposed conservation easement amendments and makes recommendations to supervisor. 

Fee-owned lands: 

• OSI liaison with lessees and management partners;
• Participates in broader land management planning initiatives;
• Implements management actions outlined in LMPs;
• In consultation with supervisor, coordinates management recommendations and actions with partner organizations, agencies, and managers;
• Updates and oversees all management plans with supervisor;
• Tracks and ensures preferential property tax classifications; and
• Identifies potential revenue opportunities (i.e. leases, etc.). 

Disposition: 

• Assists in stewardship issues in conjunction with planned property disposition. 

Administrative:

Assists in stewardship related administrative tasks (i.e. mailings, report filings, partner reminders, easement binder updates, easement filings, etc.) for southern New York State. 

Community Outreach: 

• Attends key Town meetings; and
• Participates in networking opportunities with partner land trusts in southern New York State in consultation with supervisor. 

Tech Specific Duties: 

• Responsible for development and implementation of GIS, and other technology specific duties, including:
• Develops GIS maps for general field work and baseline documentation;
• Assists consultants and partners with mobile mapping options;
• Assists consultants and partners with OSI's Conservation Track system for their reporting on monitoring and inspection activities; and
• Works with OSI's GIS department to maintain datasets and create maps for OSI's Land Program in New York State. 

Qualifications  

Required Skills/Core Competencies: 

• Track record in developing, directing and managing multiple concurrent stewardship or conservation-based projects;
• Knowledge of and familiarity with aerial photos, deeds, surveys, topographic maps, and ability to find way around properties in the field;
• Familiarity with mobile mapping apps;
• Demonstrated knowledge of natural resource issues (related to land management, recreation, agriculture, and forestry, etc.);
• Ability to work closely with varied staff and partners to further OSI's conservation mission;
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely in oral and written form to a variety of audiences and in a variety of settings;
• Broad knowledge of ESRI software ArcGIS 9.0 or higher;
• Competency creating maps using ESRI software with a clear understanding of cartographic principles;
• Demonstrated competency with MS Office, Word, and Excel or similar software;
• Ability to navigate and cultivate relationships with Landowners of eased properties; and
• Direct experience with LTAC Accreditation process and principles and an understanding of the on-going compliance required for accredited Land Trusts. 

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of Hudson Valley conservation community; and
• Ability to independently set up computers and troubleshoot and correct computer hardware and software problems.

Education: 

• Bachelor's Degree in environmental studies, environmental science, biological science, ecology, forestry, landscape architecture, recreation, or planning required;
• Graduate Degree in any of the above desirable.
• Work experience, (includes internships)-Required
• Previous experience at a Land Trust is ideal - but governmental natural resource agency experience will be considered;
• Demonstrated expertise in the area of conservation easements;
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse range of stakeholders to successfully fulfill responsibilities; and
• Previous experience with preparing for and maintaining LTAC Accreditation. 

Desired Work Experience:  

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in land management, field biology, land conservation, etc.; and
• Environmental or municipal planning experience. 

Physical Requirements: 

• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods of time in all weather and all seasons;
• Ability to work with power tools including weed whacker and chainsaw;
• Ability to hike several miles in a day over rough terrain;
• Frequently sits for long periods of time;
• Frequently speaks, reads, writes and uses a computer keyboard; and
• May require occasional standing, walking, lifting, stooping, and bending. 

Note: This job description is not intended to represent a complete, comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be required in this position. There may be unplanned activities and other duties as assigned.  

To Apply 

• Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to email your applicaiton materials by December 8, 2014.
• Include your resume and cover letter (with salary requirements) as a single PDF "Southern NY Land Steward" in the subject line.
• Be sure to include where you saw this listing. 

~ Open Space Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We are only able to contact candidates of interest. No phone calls please. ~