POSITION DESCRIPTION
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Title: Land Protection Specialist
Job #/Grade/FLSA Status: 450004 (Conservation Practitioner IV) / Grade 5/ Exempt
Location: Chester, MA
Date: March 25, 2008
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SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The Land Protection Specialist works closely with Massachusetts Chapter staff to implement Conservancy land protection activities in Western Massachusetts. Responsibilities include identifying, tracking and screening protection projects, initiating contact with priority landowners, negotiating gifts, purchases, conservation restrictions and management agreements for natural areas; raising public funds for protection projects and operations; developing public support for natural areas protection; and coordinating Conservancy protection efforts with other conservation organizations. The Land Protection Specialist is in the Conservation Programs department and works closely with other program areas, including science and stewardship, government relations, legal, Western MA Program and development staff, as well as Conservancy donors. S/He is supervised by the Western Massachusetts Program Director and does not supervise staff.
DUTIES:
1) Work with staff to coordinate all aspects of land acquisition projects within Western Massachusetts. This includes screening of potential projects and responding to requests for information regarding potential gifts, sales or other projects; property inspections; tracking and recording project progress; contracting for appraisals, hazardous waste inspections, and surveys; preparation of project packages and protection reports; and coordinating with TNC legal staff..
2) Coordinate with State agency and nonprofit partners to acquire interests in land in mutual high priority areas. Provide outreach, negotiation, legal, or transactional assistance to state partners in high priority locations.
3) Conduct outreach to owners of high priority tracts as identified through land protection planning to educate owners on the importance of their lands and the possibilities for conservation.
4) Assist with fundraising for land protection projects, operations and other programs through corporate, foundation and individual development as directed. Assist with stewardship, field trips, speaking engagements, public event, media contacts, and Chapter Board relations and other special activities as needed.
5) Pursue government grant funding for land protection projects including identification of grant sources and appropriate land projects, development of application, coordination with partners, and assurance of compliance with Conservancy procedures.
6) Assist with the screening, acquisition and sale of properties through the Tradelands and conservation buyer program, as well as other projects and tasks that may be assigned.
7) Assist in providing project management for projects that promote connectivity in freshwater ecosystems, potentially including culvert replacement and dam removal.
8) Assist with other Western Massachusetts land protection, conservation science, and planning projects.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
1) Degree in resource protection and management, natural science, real estate, business, planning, or law and at least 3-5 years of successful work experience in land protection or a closely related field; or equivalent experience.
2)Demonstrated ability to work efficiently and effectively with state government agencies, landowners, corporate executives, foundations, and colleagues in other organizations.
3) Demonstrated ability to produce tangible results, work independently and as part of an effective team. Ability to make public presentations and to write clearly and persuasively.
4) Proven organizational and negotiating skills. Ability to pay close attention to detail.
5) Ability and willingness to travel frequently and on short notice, and to work extended hours when required.
6) Firsthand knowledge of the conservation community and landscape in Massachusetts preferred.
7) Familiarity and experience in freshwater ecology or policy preferred.
8) Valid state or international drivers license and ability/willingness to drive necessary.
9) Familiarity with GIS preferred.
Please send cover letter & resume to:
Meg Connerton
The Nature Conservancy
205 Portland Street, 4th FL
Boston, MA 02114
maforesumes@tnc.org
No phone calls please.
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Nature Conservancy is committed to diversity in the work place, with particular emphasis on areas in which minorities have been historically under-represented in the environmental professions. We strongly encourage African-Americans, Hispanics/ Latinos, Asians/ Pacific Islanders and Native Americans to apply.
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