Director of Land Protection

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Land Protection oversees all aspects of Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast’s Land Protection Department. This person is a mission-driven, highly motivated team member who plays a key role in advancing the organization’s mission to protect the land and water of Southwest Florida for the benefit of people and nature.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop comprehensive conservation plans in partnership with the President.
• Direct the organizations conservation initiatives.
• Implement and achieve the organization’s conservation priorities.
• Represent the organization in relationships and negotiations with government agencies and partnerships.
• Inspire, train, and manage Conservation and Stewardship staff.
• Direct departmental coordination between Stewardship and Conservation staff as well as other organizational staff.
• Provide strategic outreach to private landowners, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other resource managers and stakeholders, with an emphasis on priority conservation areas identified in the organization’s Strategic Conservation Plan.
• In concert with the President and the Board of Trustees, develop public policy that strengthens conservation efforts.
• Ensure appropriate risk mitigation measures are in place in the acquisition of conservation easements and fee land, utilizing appropriate legal and other outside professional advice.
• Create and manage annual departmental work plans and budgets.
• Liaise with the Board of Trustee’s Land Protection Committee.
• Coordinate with the Development team on relationship management and tracking of landowner outreach and communication.
• Work in concert with the Marketing team to ensure transparency to stakeholders through storytelling and sharing of statistics and data on the successes and benefits of land conservation.
• Ensure compliance with Federal and State laws as well as Land Trust Alliance Standard and Practices as they relate to land protection activity.
• Attend and participate in events as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• A four year college degree.
• Five years of land protection management experience or equivalent.
• Proven history of successfully managing others.
• Friendly and diplomatic personality with the ability to quickly establish rapport and develop trust-based relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and world views.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability and personality to work collaboratively, accept responsibility, share credit and motivate partners and landowners.
• Ability to understand the needs and perspectives of landowners and work to find mutually satisfying solutions.
• Strong understanding of the power of language to advance or hinder progress. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with landowners, the public, media, professional colleagues and governmental entities.
• Experience with grant writing.
• Problem-solver who works to find creative yet practical solutions to conservation challenges.
• Ability to work well independently, without close supervision as well as within a group.
• Experience with real estate negotiations and closings.
• Successful history of project management.
• Poise, confidence, and an ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Knowledge of Federal and State regulations for non-profit organizations engaging in land protection and real estate transactions.
• Proven mastery of MSOffice applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Ability to participate in and facilitate group meetings.
• Physical ability to travel to remote and undeveloped property, hike and wade through a variety of environmental conditions, be outdoors for considerable periods, potentially interact with wildlife.
• Ability to swim.
• Valid Florida driver’s license and proof of insurance.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule.