The Protection/Land Strategies Director I coordinates and implements a comprehensive program to protect natural areas as habitat for plants, animals and natural communities and to advance the Maryland/DC chapter’s goals for climate change resilience and clean water. Working with private and public landowners, s/he uses the full range of protection tools, including purchase, gift, easement, lease, registry, conservation brokerage, cooperative projects and assists. Partners may include federal, state, and local government, conservation organizations and others.
The Protection/Land Strategies Director I is responsible for implementing and achieving the Conservancy’s internal conservation priorities by representing the Conservancy in relationships and negotiations with government agencies and advisory committees. S/he assists in securing public and private funds for land protection, researches land ownership information for tracts identified as potential acquisition projects and prepares project packages as appropriate. S/he responds to protection inquiries and screens potential protection projects.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Geographic size and scope is Maryland and the District of Columbia, with initial focus on the Eastern Shore.
- Plan and direct work on land protection projects, including both acquisition and strategic transfers to partner organizations.
- Negotiate real estate transactions, which can bind the Conservancy legally and financially.
- Use GIS and other mapping resources to support project planning and reporting.
- Ability and willingness to travel frequently and on short notice, sometimes on weekends.
- Perform administrative duties necessary to complete and document the project.
- Participates in chapter’s coastal resilience and clean water teams, and others as needed.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- 3 years of related work experience in conservation, real estate, fundraising or other related experience.
- Experience in managing multiple projects and timelines.
- Experience negotiating complex agreements.
- Experience developing partnerships (partners, community, government).
- Experience working with computers, including Microsoft Office suite, GIS and database management.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 3 to 5 years of related work experience in conservation, real estate, researching and writing grants and other related experience.
- Knowledge of current trends and strategies in conservation and land protection.
- Experience with GIS.
- Attention to detail.
- Strong people skills to quickly establish productive relationships with individual landowners and local community by interacting with others in ways that build rapport and trust.
- Politically savvy and experienced in partnership development (partners, community, government).
- Ability to complete tasks independently within desired timeframe.
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Knowledge of state and federal conservation programs and funding opportunities strongly preferred.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.