Land Protection Coordinator

 The Land Protection Coordinator has the primary responsibility to support Great Works Regional Land Trust’s land conservation efforts, assisting in the process of bringing land into permanent protection through land acquisition and easements. The Coordinator will work alongside GWRLT’s Board-led Land Protection Committee and the Executive Director, from the initial project contact through project completion. The Coordinator will support grant proposals for project funding and manage other tasks essential to completing conservation easements and land acquisition. The position entails working with landowners, conservation partners, conservation funding partners, community partners, volunteers, and other collaborators in ongoing land and water conservation efforts across the GWRLT region. The Land Protection coordinator will represent GWRLT in various public settings and participate in community engagement, stewardship activities and fundraising activities, as needed. The Land Protection Coordinator is a full-time, year-round 35 hour a week position.

Job duties:

• Recording and tracking communication with potential project landowners across time
• Assist in researching and applying for state, federal, and private grants to support land protection projects
• Support fundraising efforts to ensure long-term stewardship of properties protected
• Assist in identifying potential land protection projects
• Assist in providing outreach to landowners regarding land protection options
• Work with office staff to collaborate on Community Outreach and Stewardship efforts

Initial Project Contact – 30%

• Manage and maintain communications with landowners (schedule and attend meetings and site walks with landowners and Project Managers)
• Manage initial contact form and initial evaluation for Project Committee
• Conduct property research (owners, deeds, survey, natural resources, access, value, )
• Present possible projects to Projects Committee
• Begin tracking projects using Project checklist

Project progression – 50%

• Manage pending project files, records, documents, and budgets
• Conduct site walks with funding agencies
• Identify, pursue, track, and report for project funding
• Responsible for all due diligence and communication with funding agencies
• Manage contract services (appraisals, surveys, timber cruise, biological resources)
• Collaborating with Steward Director to help inform Management Plans for properties and stewardship funds
• Review conservation easements
• Track project progress, budgets, and funding
• Complete site assessments on properties to be acquired

Project completion – 20%

• Enter acquired property into the Maine Conservation Lands Layer (DACF-BPL) and Maine Conservation Lands Registry (DACF-ACF) databases.
• Create completed Project Ensure all documentation is compiled and transferred to Stewardship Director
• Tracking final budgets and funding agreements

Required Qualifications: 

• Relevant college degree, preferably in Environmental Land Use, Natural Resources Management, or other related field
• An interest in and commitment to land conservation and resource management that is the core land trust mission
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and interest in working with landowners
• Flexibility and strong capacity to manage time and competing priorities
• Ability to follow directions and work independently
• Ability to work cross-collaboratively with other staff and volunteer programs
• Ability to work with volunteers and the public
• Interest in field work and ability to walk across sometimes steep or uneven terrain
• Valid driver’s license and own transportation

Preferred Skills and Experience: 

• Understanding of land conservation methods and transaction procedures
• Knowledge and training in natural resources management
• Ability of finding and marking boundaries from surveys
• Familiarity with ArcGIS or similar mapping system
• Familiarity with Landscape Conservation Software
• Competency with technology; field use of iPad/phone/GPS

Compensation:

• 35 hour work week, remote possible but could occasionally include an event night or weekend event
• Up to $23/Hour; $1750 Health Stipend, PTO, 11 holidays

Great Works Regional Land Trust serves the six towns of Eliot, South Berwick, Berwick, North Berwick, Wells, and Ogunquit, Maine with offices at Beach Plum Farm in Ogunquit. Established in 1986, the Trust has completed more than 150 land conservation projects, protecting over 7,000 acres of land, and is supported by over 1,500 members, donors, and volunteers. Visit www.gwrlt.org for more information.