- Agency
- Bitter Root Land Trust
- Location
- Hamilton, MT
- Job Category
- Full time Positions
- Salary
- $55,000-$62,000
- Last Date to Apply
- 04/24/2023
- Website
- https://bitterrootlandtrust.org/about-us/staff/
- Description
- Position Overview: The Conservation Project Manager will join a dynamic land conservation program at Bitter Root Land Trust. Under the general supervision and direction of the Lands Director, the Conservation Project Manager works closely with the Lands Team to help landowners protect high-priority lands in BRLT’s service area. This position is responsible for developing and managing conservation easement projects, including building relationships with landowners and agencies, negotiating complex land transactions, overseeing due diligence, leading funding application processes, and closing real estate transactions. This person would build on existing partnerships and would take the lead on several active projects that are already in motion. Areas of Responsibility: Conservation Project Management (80%): • Work closely with the Lands Director to generate, negotiate, guide, and implement BRLT’s acquisition of conservation easements and fee title lands. • Coordinate baseline contractors, appraisers, and other third-party contractors. • Manage complex conservation projects, including generating budgets, timelines, and proposed project designs. • Complete due diligence on conservation projects (analyze title and mineral reports, mineral remoteness tests, existing encumbrances, environmental hazard assessments, public benefit and private inurement analyses, and other project-related due diligence issues), and engage legal review, when necessary. • Facilitate conservation project approvals through the BRLT Lands Committee, and Board of Directors. • Identify funding strategies and sources for conservation projects. • Draft technical grant applications to fund conservation easement and fee-title acquisitions, including a heavy emphasis on Agricultural Land Easement applications through the NRCS. • Manage successful grant applications, including reporting, budget tracking, and close-out. • Coordinate with landowners, funders, and contractors to ensure conservation projects are completed in a timely manner. • Work closely with landowners (in-person, via phone, and in writing) to develop conservation projects from vision to finality. • Utilize ArcGIS to evaluate properties, develop maps, assess resources, and complete funding applications. • Maintain and update project files according to BRLT policy, including in-office, off-site, and digital records storage. • Ensure BRLT land and easement acquisitions remain consistent and compliant with LTA Accreditation Commission standards. Conservation Project Cultivation (10%): • As directed, respond to land protection inquiries from private landowners, community groups, public agencies, and the public. • Develop and maintain strong working relationships with public and private partners to complete individual conservation projects and further BRLT’s strategic conservation goals. Additional Duties (10%): • Attend BRLT outreach and fundraising functions, as assigned. • Assume an active role in BRLT strategic planning. • Seek opportunities to stay current and familiar with innovative, state-of-the-art conservation programs and emerging conservation program advancements. • Participate in weekly staff meetings and lands team meetings. • At all times, act as an ambassador for BRLT, its mission, and its programs. • As requested, provide conservation-related content for the Land Trust’s communication materials. • Other duties as assigned. Required Qualifications: • Minimum of bachelor’s degree in law, ecology, land conservation, real estate, resource management, conservation biology, or another field of study and/or applicable experience. Advanced degree in related field preferred. • At least two years of direct experience working in private land conservation on projects such as conservation easements, farm and ranchland real estate transactions, community access projects, and/or law. • Demonstrated experience leading title review, contract, and real estate negotiations. • Experience working with landowners on legal, real estate, and resource management issues. • Demonstrated oral communication skills. Must be tactful, professional, and able to maintain confidentiality. • Demonstrated technical grant-writing ability, and experience with grant management and grant reporting. • Detail-oriented and well-organized. Ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks and detailed projects simultaneously. • Demonstrated ability to work in a self-directed, independent manner, while also working effectively as part of a team. • Willingness to support all facets of the organization, including fundraising, outreach, and long-range planning. • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and ArcGIS.
- Qualifications
- The posting period closes on April 23, 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please send a cover letter and resume to Operations Director, Kori Anderson, at kori@bitterrootlandtrust.org. No phone calls, please. Preferred Qualifications: • Non-profit or mission-driven professional experience. • Land Trust experience, and familiarity with the Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices. • Experience working in a rural western community that is culturally and politically diverse. • Demonstrated interest in land conservation and environmental issues. • Knowledge of natural resource values and management, preferably in the Rockies. This includes familiarity and interest in agriculture, wildlife, water, forestry, and/or rangeland. • Proven ability and experience in developing positive and effective working relationships and partnerships with diverse groups such as agricultural groups, government agencies, private landowners, and resource professionals. • Experience communicating in public settings, including presenting projects to public agencies or at public meetings. • Familiarity with land conservation funding sources, especially from government agencies. • Experience in the development, management, and implementation of annual work plans. • Willingness to work evenings and weekends on occasion. • Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team, working closely with the staff, committees, and the Board of Directors. Working Conditions: • Work from shared office space in Hamilton, with part-time, telecommute options after 6 months. • Frequent day travel throughout Ravalli County for property visits and partner meetings, including hiking on uneven ground. • Must have a valid driver’s license and be willing to drive in winter conditions. • This position may include opportunities for overnight travel once or twice a year for professional development. Basic conditions of employment form the fundamental performance requirements for continued employment. All employees are ambassadors of BRLT and are expected to support and fulfill the organization’s mission. All employees, regardless of job title, must demonstrate the following minimum requirements for continued employment. In addition, the employee is responsible for reading, understanding, and complying with all policies and procedures. • 1) Donor Relationships: Identify key individual, business, foundation, and partner groups to support the work of the land trust. • 2) Quality: Comply with established requirements for job performance methods, procedures, and standards. • 3) Professional Conduct: Comply with established employment policies and practices. Maintain confidentiality of client, member/contributor, and employee information. Accept direction and provide direction in a cooperative and positive manner. Willing to work collaboratively in a holistic team environment. • 4) Personal Conduct: Engage in personal conduct that is honest, respectful, courteous, and dignified as well as legal, ethical, dependable, and reliable. Demonstrate appropriate dress and personal hygiene. • 5) Competency: Develop and maintain skills, knowledge, and abilities required to adequately perform assigned job duties. The Bitter Root Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer
- Contact Person
- Kori Anderson, Operations Director
