Conservation Project Associate

About Us

Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust is an accredited regional land trust serving 23 communities in North Central Massachusetts. Since 1986, we have worked to conserve and steward land with a deep commitment to collaboration and innovation. We are an equal opportunity employer and strive to be a diverse and inclusive organization.

Job Summary

The Conservation Project Associate is an entry or potential mid-level position supporting Mount Grace’s Land Conservation Team. This role is focused on administrative coordination, data and document management, and project tracking for conservation transactions.

The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, and eager to learn. You’ll gain hands-on experience in the land trust field while helping advance land protection efforts that permanently conserve working farms, forests, and wildlands across the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support for land acquisition and conservation restriction (CR) projects
• Coordinate with appraisers, surveyors, and other consultants to support project timelines and ensure delivery of required materials
• Track project tasks and deadlines across multiple projects; update internal project management systems
• Maintain digital and paper files for conservation projects, including appraisals, surveys, maps, baseline reports, and contracts
• Assist in preparing due diligence materials such as project maps, checklists, and board reports
• Coordinate data entry and updates in Mount Grace’s land conservation database (Landscape)
• Help create and edit maps using GIS software and Landscape, in coordination with the Land Conservation and Stewardship teams
• Support team scheduling, meeting logistics, and communications with partners
• Assist with grant and Land Trust Alliance accreditation documentation as needed
• Perform other duties in support of the conservation team’s work

Qualifications

Required

• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Familiarity with ArcGIS (ArcMap, ArcPro, or ArcGIS Online) and mapping concepts
• Comfortable learning and working with database systems (such as Landscape)
• Strong attention to detail and ability to track many moving parts
• Commitment to land conservation and the mission of Mount Grace
• Willingness to work as part of a collaborative and fast-moving team

Preferred

• Coursework or experience in natural resources, environmental science, geography, or a related field
• Experience with project management, task tracking, or coordinating multiple stakeholders across deadlines
• Experience with land or conservation transactions a plus
• Experience working or volunteering in a nonprofit setting

Other Requirements

• Willingness to travel within our 23-town service area for project site visits
• Occasional evening or weekend meetings or events
• Interest in continued learning—Mount Grace supports professional development opportunities

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range based on experience:
  • Entry-level candidates: $45,000 to $55,000 per year
  • Mid-level candidates: $55,000 to $65,000 per year
• 36-hour flexible work week
• Five weeks of Paid Time Off
• Hybrid work model with 2–3 days/week expected in the Athol office
• Health insurance, Simple IRA retirement contribution, and sabbatical policy