Conservation Easement Steward

Founded in 1990, North Olympic Land Trust is a non-profit conserving the land and natural resources that continue to be the foundation of our culture, economy, and way of life on the North Olympic Peninsula.  The Land Trust is dedicated to the conservation of open spaces, local food, local resources, healthy watersheds and recreational opportunities.  We strive to conserve the farms, fish and forests that improve our community.

Position Summary

Based in Port Angeles, Washington, the Conservation Easement Steward is a permanent, full-time, non-exempt position that reports to the Conservation Director and ensures the effectiveness and smooth functioning of the Land Trust’s conservation easement stewardship program. This includes all aspects of the stewardship of conservation easement properties held by North Olympic Land Trust.  The ideal candidate shares a deep love of conserved land, is detailed oriented while being able to effectively multi-task and is kind yet firm in their interactions with people.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Conduct at least annual monitoring and reporting on all conservation easements in compliance with the organization’s policies and best practices as described by the Land Trust Alliance and Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
• Proactively work with conservation easement landowners as appropriate.
• Develop new and update existing baseline documentation reports for Land Trust conservation easement properties.
• Respond to any issues arising from conservation easement properties, including violations to conservation easements.
• Respond to reserved rights requests and present requests to the Conservation Committee.
• Design and oversee the conservation easement steward work plan and budget under the direction of the Conservation Director.
• Maintain accurate records for all Land Trust conservation easement lands in accordance with the organization’s Record’s Policy.
• Advance and maintain skills, education, and knowledge of best practices that are relevant to the job description.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural resources management, forestry, or related field, or related field or 2 years related work experience.
• Excellent interpersonal written and oral communication skills.
• Proficient and demonstrated experience using GPS technology to collect field data.
• Good orientation skills, including the ability to read and interpret maps, including surveys.
• Proficiency with computer operations in a Windows environment and Microsoft Word, and experience with database software.
• Organized, detailed, and able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously with minimal supervision.
• Reliable vehicle and a valid, insurable driver’s license.

Desired

• Experience or familiarity with land trusts and conservation easements.
• Skilled with ArcGIS Pro or ArcGIS online data management and mapping.
• Familiarity with Pacific Northwest flora and fauna preferred.

Physical demands
The primary working environment for the Conservation Easement Steward is in an office setting. However, the position regularly travels to off-site locations for job-related activities.  Office duties are usually sedentary, but field work may require moderate physical activity. 

Equal Opportunity Statement
North Olympic Land Trust is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where employment opportunities are available to all. We believe that diversity and inclusion are critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool that shares these commitments.