Director of Land Conservation

Leads and administers Midcoast Conservancy’s land conservation efforts including planning, completing land transactions and funding projects. Supervises Senior Land Steward and reports to Executive Director. Benefits include sick leave, all Federal holidays, 3 weeks of vacation, retirement plan, and health insurance. Periodic work on weekends and evenings required. Work-related mileage will be reimbursed. Position is based out of the Midcoast Conservancy office in Edgecomb with some field work.

Leadership

•  Work with Lands Committee and the Board to ensure priority land protection projects are completed.
•  Act as initial point person for all potential land conservation projects.
•  Create annual work plans and budget for the Lands team with Executive Director and others.
• Ensure land protection is aligned with all of the organization’s goals for land, water conservation and community; including climate resilience, habitat connectivity, public access, working landscapes and other goals.

Land Conservation

• Develop and implement landscape scale conservation priorities including ecological and human community values that align with Midcoast Conservancy’s goals.
• Identify focus areas that will be top priorities over the next 3 years.
• Work with landowners to develop acquisition projects and write conservation easements to ensure they meet Midcoast Conservancy’s goals, and the national land trust standards and practices while meeting the needs of individual landowners.
• Assist Senior Land Steward in addressing easement violations, including working with appropriate board committees.
• Ensure all steps for acquisition and easement projects are professionally completed including landowner negotiation, title work, environmental hazard assessments, baseline documentation, and required record keeping, from inception to completion.
• Work with Lands Committee and Board to take projects through organizational pipeline including intake, timely follow up, tracking, prioritizing, and advancing projects to completion.
• Identify key properties in top priority focus areas for landowner outreach by staff and volunteers as appropriate to ensure that the organization has a steady stream of projects to advance.

Fundraising

• Work with Executive Director and Board to plan and implement fundraising, including grants for land acquisition, easements and stewardship.
• Work with Director of Development as part of the Grants Team.
  • Stay current with annual calendar of lands grants.
  • Develop relationships with funders, potential land donors and identify new potential grantors.

• Write and submit grants and follow through with reporting requirements for grants awarded for land acquisition with support from Director of Development.

Desired Qualifications

• At least 3 years’ experience working on conservation transactions.
• Knowledge of stewardship and ecological management of conserved lands.
• Proven experience managing staff and volunteers.
• Proven experience writing and administering grants.
• Proficiency with basic MS Office software including Word and Excel.
• Skilled in use of ArcGIS, Google Earth and GPS and ability to produce maps of protected properties.
• Environmental Science, Natural History, or Ecological Management background.
• Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly in both verbal and written communications.
• Valid vehicle driver's license and personal vehicle with proof of insurance.
• Interest and ability to recruit, organize, motivate and energize volunteers.
• Ability to work effectively with town and state officials.
• Ability to work or attend meetings outside normal business hours (occasional nights and weekends.)
• Ability to manage work time efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Creative problem solver.

Qualified individuals with disabilities and those from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals and are an equal opportunity employer. To apply, submit a resume with list of 3 references and a cover letter.