About this Position
Greenbelt seeks an enthusiastic professional for thefull-time position of a Senior Land Conservation Specialist to manage aportfolio of land conservation projects across Essex County. The Senior Land Conservation Specialist willconduct outreach to private landowners to build the organization’s pipeline ofconservation projects. They will be collaboratingwith a collegial team of colleagues on all aspects of permanently preservingEssex County’s threatened landscapes.
Core Responsibilities
Landowner Outreach & Cultivation:
· One-on-one landowner outreach, site visits, events andnetworking to cultivate landowner relationships
· Research and evaluate potential conservation priorities usingon-line municipal and registry of deed websites, GIS, and field visits
· Develop innovative approaches to further equity focus oforganization.
Fee Simple and Conservation Restriction Negotiation & Acquisition
· Structure, manage and close land conservation projects
· Coordinate closely with Greenbelt’s Stewardship staff toensure smooth transition to long term stewardship, and with ConservationTechnology and Planning Division for mapping / GIS work, and Finance Dept. andDevelopment staff on fundraising.
Fundraising & Grant-writing: Secure local and state funding forconservation projects, including researching and writing public and privategrants.
GIS Mapping: Use ArcGIS to create project maps forlandowners, field work, and internal meetings.
Baseline Documentation Reports: Produce Baseline Documentation Reports foreach conservation restriction in collaboration with Stewardship and GIS staff.
Public Outreach: Create opportunities to lead educational /outreach workshops to engage landowners and project partners.
Staff Support: Provide as-needed project support to Directorof Land Conservation and President
Position Details:
Full-time, salaried position, with some hybrid work possible.In-person work located at the Cox Reservation in Essex, MA. Primarily Monday – Friday schedule (occasionalweeknight and weekend work necessary). Greenbelt has a flexible work policythat allows staff to work from home when necessary or when more efficient.Professional development opportunities available.
Salary & Benefits:
Salary range $70,000 – $80,000 depending upon experience andqualifications.
Comprehensive health insurance, including dental & vision
Retirement – voluntary employee pre-tax contribution, plusGreenbelt contributes 10% of employee’s salary to 403(b) (eligible aftercompleting 6 months of service)
Paid sick leave: Accrue 8 hrs per month / 12 days per year
Paid vacation: 10 days for 1st year of employment; graduallyincreasing to 15 days after year 1; maximum of 4 weeks after 5 years.
3 Personal Days
Paid holidays: 12 regular & 1 floating
Comp Time: Greenbelt typicallyprovides exempt employees compensatory time off for additional hours workedthat cannot reasonably be fit into the week.
Flexible Spending Account
Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance($50,000)
Paid professional development opportunities
To Apply:
Please submit a resume and cover letter electronically toVanessa Johnson-Hall at vkjohnson@ecga.org. In your resume, please include relevant workexperience, education, and training. Please include the following in your coverletter: why you want to work at Greenbelt, and how your experience / education/ training qualifies you for this position. The position is open until filled.
Essex County Greenbelt is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Allqualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regardto race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexualorientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
· Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in natural resources orother field related to land conservation, conservation planning, or landmanagement
· Minimum 3 years of professional experience successfully managing,fundraising for, and completing permanent, land conservation projects using conservationeasements and fee simple acquisitions
· Fluency in conservation easement language; ability to draftand effectively negotiate conservation easement terms with landowners, projectpartners, and state reviewers
· Ability to independently prospect and secure new conservationprojects
· Ability to secure funding from municipal, state, or private partnersand sources
· Proficiency in real estate due diligence and demonstratedability to manage professionals hired to conduct due diligence
· Proficiency in understanding purchase agreements, options,and other real estate contracts
· Working knowledge of federal tax benefits of conservationdonations
· Ability to independently navigate by foot on vacant,undeveloped land year-round, including reading and understanding maps, and orientingoneself in sometimes rough and dense forested, hilly, rocky conditions and onlarge semi-rural properties
· Solid experience with MS Office Suite and ability to createeffective project maps with ArcGIS
· Enjoy working as part of a team, as well as independently takinginitiative to accomplish required tasks and achieve goals
· Excellent public speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills
· Knowledge or experience related to conservation landmanagement and stewardship
· Possess a valid driver’s license and willingness to usepersonal vehicle for frequent work-related travel (mileage is reimbursed at thefederal rate)
· Desire to keep learning and growing in the position and atGreenbelt
