Conservation Manager

Salary Range:$95,000.00 To $110,000.00 Annually

Compensation

Salary range: $95,000-$110,000. Casey Trees offers excellent benefits including health, dental, vision, flexible spending account, paid holidays, paid time off, and retirement plan 403(b).

About Casey Trees

In pursuit of its mission to restore, enhance and protect the tree canopy of the nation’s capital, Casey Trees (CT) delivers a broad base of programs and services to the DC Metro area. The organization plants more than 6,500 trees each year grown at our own nursery; cares and maintains those trees; conserves greenspace; conducts school and community-based youth STEM programming; and advocates for stronger policies and laws to preserve trees across the area. Casey Trees emphasizes innovative solutions and working with diverse partners to advance and promote tree canopy solutions that meet the needs of the communities that we serve.   

Summary 

The Conservation Manager contributes to the strategic growth of Casey Trees Land Trust, overseeing a portfolio of urban conservation sites protecting green spaces for nature and people. The Conservation Manager works to strategically target, acquire and steward new and existing conservation opportunities for ecological and community health. The Conservation Manager also engages in regional, city-wide, and community-based sustainability planning in support of Casey Trees’ mission. The ideal candidate will have experience with program and project management, conservation and stewardship initiatives, familiarity with real estate transactions, and a proven ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders.

Essential Functions:

• Assists the Director of Policy and Land Conservation in managing the Casey Trees portfolio of urban conservation sites, targeting and acquiring new land through purchase or conservation easement donation, and managing long-term stewardship.
• Oversees land acquisition projects, including communicating with landowners, realtors, attorneys, and conservation partners. Conducts due diligence including acquiring title, surveys, appraisals, and environmental assessments.
• Develops, implements, and monitors conservation grants and projects, managing budgets, timelines, and deliverables. Works with internal and external partners.
• Oversees land stewardship including ecological monitoring, habitat restoration, invasive species control, and management plans for specific sites.
• Assists with strategic targeting and prioritization of new conservation acquisitions and projects. Ensures a consistent, multi-year pipeline of conservation transactions.
• Maintains a strong understanding of conservation easements (including legal terms and language) and best practices for easement stewardship.
• Ensures program compliance with internal procedures and Land Trust Alliance standards and practices.
• Works with the Development Department on funding applications for acquisition and stewardship projects including applications, donor stewardship, and relevant reporting.
• Conducts engagement efforts with community groups, public officials, government agencies, other environmental organizations and regional partners which may include attendance at and travel to meetings, hearings and conferences outside of normal business hours.

Supervisory Responsibilities 

This is a new position at Casey Trees, projected to manage and supervise additional professionals and contractors.

Working Conditions

The incumbent works primarily in an office but often needs to travel within the DC metro area to conduct site visits and meetings. Must be able to use equipment such as: 

• Computers/Printer/Copier/Telephone/Smartphones/Tablets, etc. (not an exclusive list)

Physical Demands:  

• All CT employees may engage in volunteer tree planting and related activities and events in outdoor environments. The incumbent may at times work outside, in the heat, cold and inclement weather and must have suitable clothing. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to talk, hear, stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The incumbent is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, lift files, open filing cabinets, bend or stand on a stool, etc.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, exempt position, averaging 40 hours a week. The incumbent must be able and willing to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours when needed. This position requires and prioritizes in person components in CT’s office environment, in the field, and between CT sites.  

Travel

Travel is primarily local to the greater Washington, DC metro area including occasional travel to Casey Tree Farm in Berryville, VA. Some out of the area travel and overnights may be expected.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Environmental Studies, Natural Resources, Ecology/Biology, Forestry, Urban Sustainability, Real Estate)
• 5-7 years of relevant professional experience
• Excellent project management skills, including meeting deadlines, budgets and deliverables and managing multiple priorities
• Familiarity with the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices and with LTAC’s accreditation process
• Demonstrated ability to exercise confidentiality and sound judgment
• Strong interpersonal skills rooted in teamwork, diplomacy, and a commitment to working collaboratively
• Strong work ethic, ability to problem solve, think creatively and pay attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to manage contractors and consultants
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including public speaking
• Evident passion for the mission and values of Casey Trees and a desire to increase impact
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience
• Familiarity in real estate transactions including appraisals, title work, due diligence, and closings
• Effective community engagement experience
• Working knowledge of regional conservation issues, policies and strategies
• Experience using CRM software and ArcGIS

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Casey Trees is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.