Director, Conservation Programs

MALT is a nonprofit land trust created in 1980 by a coalition of ranchers and environmentalists to permanently protect Marin County farmland. Some of the Bay Area’s most highly acclaimed dairy and cheese products, grass-fed meats, and organic crops are produced on farmland protected by MALT’s 98 agricultural conservation easements. 

As an innovative agricultural land trust, MALT operates at the intersection of agriculture and conservation. Our mission is to permanently protect Marin County’s agricultural land for agricultural use. Our commitment is to the longThe Director of Conservation Programs is a senior-level position, responsible for developing and implementing strategies that will build resilient and durable land management solutions to help preserve agriculture, protect biodiversity, and build climate resilience on working lands in Marin County. 

The Director of Conservation Programs reports directly to the Executive Director and will manage a team of one (1) to three (3) staff as well as mentor and collaborate with non-direct reports to strengthen the organization as a whole. This is a full-time, exempt position with a flexible schedule that accommodates in-person and remote-work schedules, requiring weekly presence in MALT’s office in Point Reyes Station, and in the West Marin community. 

-term health of the land itself, as well as to the farmers and ranchers who work on the land. The Director of Conservation Programs will be part of a dynamic team working to permanently protect Marin’s agricultural land for agricultural use in ways that benefit healthy communities, clean water and air, diverse habitats, sustainable and regenerative agriculture, and climate resiliency.

MALT has permanently protected over 58,917 acres of West Marin’s diverse mosaic of coastal grasslands, oak woodlands, rangelands, and pastoral open space. MALT is committed to supporting sustainable management, climate-beneficial and regenerative agriculture in Marin County, including farming and grazing practices that rebuild soil organic matter and improve soil biodiversity to draw down carbon and improve the water cycle.

We welcome people of all backgrounds, identities, and beliefs to join us in achieving our mission to permanently protect Marin’s agricultural land for agricultural use. MALT is committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace in which everyone is welcomed, valued, and supported. We are a team that works together to achieve our goals. We recognize that diverse teams make the strongest teams and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.

We invite you to join the MALT team—a dynamic and passionate staff who care deeply about our mission and one another.

THE POSITION

The Director of Conservation Programs is a senior-level position, responsible for developing and implementing strategies that will build resilient and durable land management solutions to help preserve agriculture, protect biodiversity, and build climate resilience on agricultural working lands in Marin County. 

The Director of Conservation Programs reports directly to the Executive Director and will manage a team of one (1) to three (3) staff as well as mentor and collaborate with non-direct reports to strengthen the organization as a whole. This is a full-time, exempt position with a flexible schedule that accommodates in-person and remote-work schedules, requiring weekly presence in MALT’s office in Point Reyes Station, and in the West Marin community. 

ABOUT YOU

• BA/BS degree in related field and a minimum of 10 years of successful experience in conservation practice or related field, preferably nonprofit, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
• Minimum of 5 years’ supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives, and managing performance.
• Experience managing and implementing complex and multiple projects, including managing budgets, grant programs (ideally including grants in and out), coordinating the work of colleagues and partners to ensure a unified, organization-wide approach to strategy.
• Experience in partnership development and project management with non-profit partners, community groups, and government agencies.
• Highly collaborative leader with demonstrated standing in the conservation and land trust communities and a strong track record of achieving results.
• Demonstrated experience tracking, applying for, and managing public and private funding sources, including managing finances and coordinating the work of colleagues and partners.
• Ability to gain confidence in and work with agriculturalists and the agricultural community.
• Able to lead through uncertainty and adapt to change.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; demonstrated proficiency in Google Workspace, Windows operating systems, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), preferred experience with Monday.com and Slack.
• Must be able to hike up to 5 miles per day over steep and rugged terrain, and be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds (additional physical requirements attached).
• Experience driving an off-road vehicle on steep and rugged terrain is preferred.
• Reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license required with acceptable DMV record and automobile liability insurance.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Key Responsibilities tendersglobal.net Essential Functions

Leadership

• Work collaboratively with the Executive Director and the Leadership Team to identify, establish, and implement programmatic goals and strategies to implement our Strategic Framework.
• Promote cross functional collaboration and lead team projects involving climate resilience, biodiversity, best land management practices, and other topics germane to the mission of MALT.
• Stay current with developments and best practices of agricultural working and natural lands conservation and stewardship to provide guidance to the organization.
• Partner internally to effectively tell the story of our work, including strengthening organizational “agriculture and conservation” messaging.
• Partner with the Finance team to manage funding received and grants being made.

Management 

• Lead and manage a team to advance best practices for efficient and effective agricultural land management to maximize biodiversity, climate resilience, and regenerative agricultural stewardship practices.
• Develop and implement annual performance-based management objectives for team and direct reports.
• Conduct regular check-ins with direct reports and lead the annual performance management processes for the team.
• Build on and enhance a workplace culture of collaboration, transparency, and accountability.

Partnerships 

• Strategically cultivate partnerships with individuals, agencies, and organizations, including presenting MALT’s work to external audiences as needed.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with land stewards, landowners, partners, and the agricultural community, representing MALT in the West Marin and neighboring communities.
• Partner on engagement to better understand the priorities and challenges for expanding land access.
• Support building a pipeline of next-generation farmers and ranchers through partnerships with agricultural training programs.
• Support donor visits and funder tours when appropriate.

Program Implementation

• Develop, fund, and implement programmatic areas of work to address conservation issues at a landscape-scale to support natural and working lands.
• Current projects include, but are not limited to:
• MALT’s growing grant programs – including the Stewardship Assistance Program and small grants program – which grants approximately $600,000 annually.
• A technical assistance program to provide farmers and ranchers with the knowledge and tools they need to conserve, maintain, and restore the natural resources on their lands and improve the health of their operations for the future.
• Supporting conservation easement monitoring for compliance and collaborating with MALT’s Land Protection team to identify stewardship and conservation priorities on easements based on monitoring data.

• Public engagement and hikes – Collaboratively lead our cross-functional team with public outreach events, including collaborating with events staff on annual planning and implementing hikes, volunteer programs and training, and education materials.

• Develop metrics beyond the number of projects and acres for assessing stewardship impacts.
• Actively track and collaboratively apply for public and private funding for conservation programs.

COMPENSATION and BENEFITS 

This is a full-time, exempt position with a flexible schedule that accommodates in-person and work-from-home schedules, requiring regular weekly presence in MALT’s office in Point Reyes Station, the West Marin community and some in-person collaboration with stakeholder groups including donors, agriculturalists, partners, and community members.

Salary Range: $135,000 – $147,000

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• FSA Child Care
• FSA Medical
• Paid Time Off
• 403 (b); 403 (b) Employer Match
• Employee Assistance Program