Easement Program Stewardship Coordinator

~ The Watershed Agricultural Council (also known as "WAC" or "the Council") works with farm and forest landowners in the New York City Watershed region to protect water quality on behalf of nine million New York residents. ~ 

The Council uses: Whole Farms Plans, Forest Management Plans and Conservation Easements to help farmers, forest professionals and private landholders address water pollution concerns on properties located in the Croton and Catskill/Delaware Watersheds.

Internationally recognized as a successful example of public-private partnership, the Council applies strategic watershed management approaches that benefit the general public through incentivized, on-site practices performed on private lands.

This partnership model, referred to as "Payment for EcoServices" or PES, empowers private landowners to be surface-water stewards of New York City's drinking water. Landowner willingness to participate in WAC's upstream water quality programs continues to provide New York City residents with over 1.1 billion gallons of clean drinking water each day. 

Position Overview 

The Watershed Agricultural Council, a nonprofit organization working to protect the NYC Watershed while supporting working farm and forest landscapes, is seeking an Easement Program Stewardship Coordinator, who will be responsible for overseeing, coordinating and implementing the stewardship component of WAC's Conservation Easement Program.

Work shall be performed independently and with the supervision and oversight of the Easement Program Director. 

Responsibilities  

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Coordinate the overall management of the Stewardship Program.
• Supervise the duties and assignments of all Stewardship Staff.
• Develop and oversee an annual monitoring schedule.
• Coordinate the planning and prioritization of all stewardship projects (individual property
• projects and strategic program initiatives) with the Program Director.
• Oversee the workflow and timely completion of all stewardship projects including, but not limited to; routine monitoring, notifications, reserved rights, violations and amendments.
• Ensure that easement records are current and up to date, including, but not limited to stewardship files, Baseline Documentation Reports (BDRs), surveys, GIS mapping, and electronic files.
• Conduct individual monitoring on approximately 20% of properties in portfolio.
• Coordinate stewardship activities through NYC, Federal, State and local agencies.
• Coordinate with Agricultural and Forestry Program staff on the implementation of working lands Best Management Practices (BMPs).
• Ensure all stewardship deliverables of WAC's contract with DEP are met.
• Maintain the Stewardship Database.
• Conduct outreach and education as assigned by Program Director.
• Assist the Program Director in the development of Program Policies, Guidelines and SOP's.
• Other duties as assigned by Program Director. 

Reporting Relationships: 

• Works under the direct supervision of the Easement Program Director. 

Qualifications  

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Management or related field; or equivalent experience.
• Extensive knowledge of the technical and legal aspects of Conservation Easements.
• 3+ years professional experience with conservation easements.
• 3+ years professional experience with agricultural and forestry practices management.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local land use laws and regulations.
• Demonstrated experience in personnel and subcontract management.
• Demonstrated experience with records retention policies and database management.
• End user GIS experience.
• Valid and current driver's license. 

Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience. 

To Apply 

Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to send your cover letter and resume to: 

Leslie Deysenroth
Watershed Agricultural Council
33195 State Highway 10
Walton, NY 13856 

Note: Review of applications will begin August 10, 2015.  

~ EOE ~