Conservation Easement Project Manager

Service Area Work Location: Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust (office)

BRW Work Location: Bear River Watershed (remote home office)

Compensation: $50,000 to $65,000 per year plus benefits          

Application Deadline: January 19, 2024 or until filled.

Start Date: To be determined with the successful candidate.

Background:

Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust is seeking two (2) qualified Conservation Easement Project Managers to advance conservation easements. One position will work in Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust’s seven-county service area, the other position will work in the Bear River Watershed.

Southeast Idaho: Founded in 2004, Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust works with willing landowners to protect, connect, and enhance wildlife habitat, working lands, and community spaces in Southeast Idaho. We serve the seven counties of Southeast Idaho: Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, and Power. Since our founding, we have protected over 8,400 acres of wildlife habitat, working lands, and open space. The Land Trust has multiple conservation easement and fee-title projects in the works. We are seeking a knowledgeable and qualified candidate who can develop and coordinate conservation easement and fee-title projects to permanently protect land and water.

Bear River Watershed: Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust, Bear River Land Conservancy, the Intermountain West Joint Venture, and a suite of other state, federal, and other partners began the Bear River Watershed Initiative in 2019 with the over-arching goal to increase the pace and scale of conservation on private lands throughout the watershed.  A Bear River Watershed Conservation Coordinator position was hired in 2021 to lead this initiative, develop relationships among multiple partners and stakeholders, and implement conservation projects in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming.  In the past two years, we have closed or assisted in closing 6 conservation easements that protect over 7,000 acres of important wildlife habitat and agricultural lands in Utah and Idaho with several more projects currently underway.

Position Summary:

Conservation Easement Project Managers are mid-level positions that will play an essential role in implementing conservation easement projects as part of our growing team dedicated to the conservation of private lands. The emphasis of these positions will be to work with private landowners, funding entities, and other conservation partners. The Conservation Easement Project Managers will work closely with the Bear River Watershed Conservation Coordinator, staff from both Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust (SSLT) and Bear River Land Conservancy (BRLC), and other state, federal, and private conservation partners. 

Roles and Responsibilities:

The Conservation Easement Project Managers will need to demonstrate or develop the ability to independently manage conservation easement projects in accordance with established Land Trust policies and procedures, Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices, and Accreditation requirements.

Land Protection Project Management (75 -80%)

Primary responsibilities will include working with interested landowners to evaluate potential conservation easement projects; conducting site visits with Land Trust committees and partners, establishing and managing project budgets; writing funding proposals and grant applications; establishing conservation easement terms and conditions that protect agricultural resources, wildlife habitat and other identified conservation values; drafting conservation easement deeds; working with funding partners to meet program requirements; coordinating and contracting services such as surveys, environmental assessments, appraisals, and other due diligence items; facilitating approvals through Land Trust committees, Board, and funding partners, and maintaining detailed records of conservation transactions.

Other Responsibilities (20-25%)

Other responsibilities will include regular participation in organizational meetings, assisting with community outreach and education, strategic conservation planning, and administrative details such as annual work planning and evaluations, time accounting, and coordination with other staff.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in natural resources, social science, law, conservation planning, real-estate, non-profit management, or related field. Demonstrated experience in lieu of a degree will be considered.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with ArcGIS software.
• Ability to travel throughout the service area to conduct in-person meetings and site visits.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• A demonstrated interest in land conservation and protecting agricultural lands and wildlife habitat.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2-3 years of experience working in natural resources, agriculture, or a closely related field.
• 1-2 years of experience working directly with private agricultural landowners.
• Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities as outlined in the section below.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team, manage complex projects, build relationships with diverse partners and stakeholders, and develop creative solutions to overcome potential barriers. In addition to the minimum qualifications listed above, candidates should demonstrate specific experience or the ability and willingness to develop the following knowledge, skills, and abilities on the job within a short period of time.

Knowledge:

• General knowledge of conservation easements and funding programs.
• Familiarity with Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices.
• Knowledge of local agricultural and grazing practices.
• Knowledge of local vegetation communities, wildlife species, and habitats.

Skills:

• Demonstrated project management skills and experience.
• Legal and grant writing experience.
• Effective time management and experience balancing and prioritizing multiple tasks and projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Intermediate or advanced skills in ArcGIS.

Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with diverse partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to engage with private agricultural landowners, understand their goals and objectives, and communicate conservation goals and objectives.
• Ability to identify and address personal knowledge gaps, learn on the job, and identify and cultivate the resources necessary for success.
• Ability to travel to visit and evaluate potential projects.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision and adhere to established priorities.
• Ability to traverse remote properties on foot, through rugged terrain, and in varying weather conditions.

Hiring Entity:

Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust (SSLT) is a private, nonprofit 501(c)3 conservation organization incorporated in 2004 and is a qualified organization within the meaning of section 170 (h)(3) of the IRS Code. Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust is accredited through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission and serves the 7 counties of Southeastern Idaho: Bannock, Bingham, Power, Oneida, Bear Lake, Caribou and Franklin.  To learn more, please visit: www.sagebrushlandtrust.org.

Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust is an equal opportunity employer and supports a culture of professional excellence through adaptive leadership, best management practices, diverse representation, equitable policies and procedures, and inclusive approaches to conservation. All qualified applicants are welcome and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, or to perform essential job functions, please contact SSLT Office (208.240.6045).

Our Mission:

The mission of Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust is to protect, connect, and enhance wildlife habitat, working lands, and community spaces in Southeast Idaho, now and for future generations.

Office Culture:

The Conservation Easement Project Managers are an important part of the Land Trust team and will actively engage in building an organizational culture of integrity, trust, respect, strong collaboration and teamwork, personal and professional growth, outstanding service, diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.

SSLT Vision:

We envision southeast Idaho as a place where people from all walks of life can connect with, support, and appreciate the spectacular landscapes of our region; a landscape with healthy people, waters and wildlife; a region of farms and ranches that work in partnership with surrounding wildlife goals and community heritage; a quality of life that allows our small towns and cities to balance development and economic opportunities with a lasting foundation of lands and waters, for both public recreation and private ownership, which give our region its unique identity and sense of place.

Benefits:

Paid vacation and holidays; matching retirement contribution; paid medical leave; health care stipend; and sabbatical opportunity after 5 years as indicated in Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust’s Personnel Policy, available upon request.

Vehicle Use: A shared vehicle may be available for work-related travel depending on candidate’s location.

Office Location:

Work location is dependent on position. The Bear River Watershed position will be a home-office position located within a reasonable travel distance of the watershed. The Southeast Idaho position will have an office at the Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust in Pocatello, Idaho and must be located within a reasonable traveling distance. For questions and details on work location, email [email protected].

Work Schedule:

These are full-time positions. Some evening and weekend work and travel will be required.