Acquisitions Specialist

Job Summary:

Since 1988, ACT’s mission has been to protect the natural, historic, scenic and recreational resources in and around North Central Florida.  We accomplish our mission through land acquisition, land management, and conservation initiatives and programs. As a nationally accredited nonprofit land trust, ACT works primarily in 22 counties, and protects land through purchase, donation, and conservation easements. Over the last 38 years, ACT has facilitated the preservation of over 70,000 acres of land in North Central Florida and directly acquired over 27,500 acres. ACT is seeking an Acquisitions Specialist who will work from our Gainesville office to assist with ACT’s land protection efforts, fulfilling existing acquisitions-related grant requirements, and securing additional funding for land acquisition.

The Acquisitions Specialist will be responsible for working with landowners to put their land in conservation, including but not limited to conducting intake on new land acquisition inquiries, leading site visits on perspective properties, presenting to ACT’s Projects Committee about incoming acquisition projects, coordinating project due diligence, and drafting acquisitions-related documents. In addition to these core duties, the Acquisitions Specialist will assist with grant reporting on ACT’s acquisitions efforts as well as grant writing to secure additional funding for identified acquisitions projects.

The ideal candidate for this position is highly organized, self-motivated, and has solid analytical proficiencies. They should be flexible and diplomatic, an effective communicator (written and verbal), and able to complete complex assignments in a self-directed manner. The Acquisitions Specialist shall report to the ACT Associate Director; work closely with various federal, state, and local agency staff; and interact with other ACT Staff, including but not limited to, ACT’s Executive Director, Conservation Easements Coordinator, and Land Management Team.

This position will be based out of ACT’s office in Gainesville, Florida. 

Responsibilities and Scope:

Land Acquisition

• Coordinate the intake, evaluation, prioritization and selection process of incoming projects.
• Coordinate with outside consultants/contractors on the completion of required due diligence associated with conservation easements, fee title and other land conservation transactions (including but not limited to title review; environmental site assessments; boundary surveys; baseline documentation; legal review and appraisals).
• Ensure ACT’s land conservation transactions comply with federal and state statutes, as well as internal guidelines, policies and Land Trust Alliance accreditation standards.
• Pursue and secure project funding through state, federal and local agencies as well as private family and grant-making organizations.

Outreach & Communications

• Respond to acquisition-related inquiries from private landowners, agency staff, land trust partners, and community groups.
• Conduct targeted outreach to landowners within ACT’s working area about conservation opportunities and available programs.
• Lead and support ACT staff in general outreach to and meetings with private landowners, community groups, government agencies, and other conservation organizations.
• Contribute acquisition-related articles and updates to press releases, newsletters, social media, website content and annual reports and other communications materials.

Organizational Responsibilities & Development

• Track all grant expenses and deliverables, prepare and manage grant reports for assigned projects.
• Provide general program office support as needed. This includes, but is not limited to: scanning; emailing; record-keeping; copying; printing; composing, typing and proofreading proposals, information packets, and other written materials.
• Attend bi-weekly staff and bi-monthly committee meetings, as requested.
• Provide information and assistance as needed in preparing grant applications.
• Advance and maintain skills, education, and knowledge of best practices that are relevant to the job description.
• All other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications:

• Educational or experiential background in real estate transactions or land acquisition.
• At least two years of prior experience with conservation easements, fee acquisitions and/or other conservation real estate transactions, including conducting or coordinating associated due diligence, preferred.
• Experience communicating effectively with a variety of interested parties, including local landowners, farmers, ranchers, community groups, and agency partners.
• Familiarity with Florida landscapes and communities, particularly an ability to work with rural landowners.
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal land conservation funding mechanisms. Previous experience with foundation and government grant writing and reporting preferred.
• Experience with managing contracts and agreements, invoicing, and financial reporting for projects deliverables.
• Ability to set priorities, problem solve, manage numerous projects at the same time, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong skills for record keeping, organization, time management, and attention to detail.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team and be willing and flexible to assist with additional requests for help.
• Ability travel to various local destinations for projects-related activities and ACT events. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.
• Must have excellent computer skills – Word, Excel, Google Workspace, etc. Experience and demonstrated proficiency with ArcGIS and Canva is a plus.
• Must be willing to work some evenings and weekends.
• Must be willing and physically able to work outside for short periods of time and perform site visits.
• Must be committed to the organization’s conservation mission and be able to maintain strong, positive, collegial working relationships with staff and Board, as well as outside partners, volunteers and the general public.
• Must be willing to work in-person in ACT’s Gainesville, Florida office. Remote candidates will not be considered.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license throughout employment.

Working Conditions:

This job operates in a professional office environment, and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and audiovisual systems. This position may include standing or sitting for prolonged periods, as well as more rigorous physical outdoor activities such as hiking or paddling to conduct site visits.

Benefits of the Position:

• This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week.
• Starting pay is $25-27/hour (based on experience)
• 10 days paid vacation, plus most Federal holidays and three personal days
• 10 days paid sick leave
• Health insurance allowance plus a personal stipend for equipment or supplies ($7,640 for full-time employees reimbursed quarterly in equal amounts)
• Enrollment in ACT’s SEP-IRA retirement plan at 8% employer match after 180 days employment
• Training and professional development opportunities