POSITION
Land Protection Program Manager
ORGANIZATION
Sequoia Riverlands Trust
JOB DESCRIPTION
POSITION
Land Protection Program Manager
OVERVIEW
The Land Protection Program Manager (LPPM) lends support to all aspects of Sequoia Riverlands Trust (SRT) conservation easement and fee-land acquisitions projects. These projects include state or federally funded easement and fee title acquisitions, landowner donated real estate, and farmland or habitat mitigation lands for clients in the renewable energy, public utility, or real estate development industries. The LPMM coordinates registration, management and monitoring of lands conserved by Sequoia Riverlands Trust, including conservation easements, and other conserved lands. The LPPM provides technical assistance for GIS and other data management and mapping systems.
The Land Protection Project Manager works closely with the Director of Land Protection to ensure that acquisitions and conservation easement monitoring practices adhere to SRT’S mission, strategic plan, as well as and Land Trust Alliance (LTA) Standard and Practices. The LPPM works with the Land Steward Associate (LSA) in overseeing the monitoring of lands conserved or owned by SRT.
ABOUT SEQUOIA RIVERLANDS TRUST
Sequoia Riverlands Trust is a regional nonprofit land trust focused on the Tulare Basin, which comprises the southern San Joaquin Valley and Sierra foothills of Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Fresno counties, with additional conservation projects in 5 other California counties. We are accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, and our mission to conserve the lands and waters of California’s heartland is supported by our ambitious programs in conservation easements (habitat and farmland), land stewardship, restoration, conservation outreach, and education.
We envision a future in which a network of protected natural and working lands thrives in the region we serve, with business, agriculture, and society aligned around sustainable land and water management practices.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Assist in the development of annual easement program goals with the DLP, including measurable target and outcomes
Oversee the fulfillment of annual monitoring visits according to LTA Standards and Practices
Assist in conducting outreach to identify acquisition prospects for mitigation or grant proposals
Assist with the internal project approval process with SRT Executives and SRT Board and external approval process with funders, officials and landowners
Tracks state, federal and foundation grant funding cycles for land acquisition projects and develops and submits compelling, professional grant applications
Assist in maintaining excellent relationships with funders of acquisitions, mitigation clients and landowner stakeholder
Assist in keeping meticulous records for all projects in accordance with LTA Standards and Practices and SRT’s Records Policy
Facilitates seamless transition to Stewardship and Land Management teams post-closing
Assist in the project management for grant funded acquisition projects and works closely with governmental agencies and grant administrators
Assist in responding to inquiries from interested landowners, and the general public regarding conservation easements or mitigation services
Participates in meetings with landowners and other stakeholders, and represents SRT at local, state or federal government meetings as needed
Assist in the oversight in the stewardship of conservation easements and other conservation agreements
Assist in the oversight of conservation easements and other conservation agreements
Assist in easement enforcement actions
Oversees the annual monitoring schedule
Trains other monitoring staff and volunteers
Maintains easement stewardship records
Assist in response to landowner inquiries about permitted / prohibited uses and reserved rights; maintain open communications with easement landowners
Provide GIS Mapping and spatial analysis services for conservation projects. Design maps for grant applications, core documents (easements) and other internal and external reports. Protection to carry out mapping and spatial analysis for land acquisition and grant applications
SUPERVISION
The Land Protection Program Manager reports to the Director of Land Protection and works closely with other Land Protection and Conservation staff.
REQUIRED SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES
Bachelor’s Degree in natural resource management, environmental science, conservation or a related field, or demonstrated equivalent professional experience.
Project management skills, including:
Ability to interact with a variety of personalities among SRT staff, landowners, contractors, volunteers and other partners
Ability to clearly communicate priorities
Ability to manage multiple projects with deadlines
Proficiency with ESRI’s, ArcGIS Software (ability to create and edit shapefiles and feature classes, produce clear and attractive maps, conduct basic spatial analyses, and organize data effectively)
Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel)
Ability to quickly learn SRT’s land conservation software applications for online record keeping regarding land transactions and stewardship work
Ability to synthesize and effectively communicate concepts and data, including excellent writing skills
Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills
Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends
Ability to hike and work under physical strain on sometimes difficult terrain in a variety of environmental conditions and driving on rough roads
DESIRED SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES
Experience working with a conservation organization or agency
Grant writing experience
Conflict resolution experience
California native plant identification knowledge
Spanish language proficiency
WORK SETTING AND CONDITIONS
The position is based at SRT’s headquarters in Visalia, California, a city of about 130,000 residents in the southern San Joaquin Valley. The region has a Mediterranean climate, with cool, moist winters and hot, dry summers. SRT’s preserves and conservation easements are distributed over nine counties, including lands in the foothills of the southern Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley and in the Carrizo Plain area. The specific work conditions of this position are as follows:
Well-lighted, heated, and air-conditioned indoor office with moderate noise
Option for hybrid home-office schedule at Executive Director’s discretion
Physical Demands
Ability to lift up to 10 pounds
Manual dexterity sufficient to reach and handle items, work with fingers and perceive attributes of objects and materials; ability to stand, walk, sit, and reach
Light physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of an administrative nature, using close vision
At times, be outdoors in all weather conditions
Work hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with some additional hours including weekends
COMPENSATION:
This is an exempt position and is located on Band 3 of SRT’s compensation structure. The position offers an annual salary at 2x the state minimum wage for new employees. As of January 2024, starting annual compensation is set at $66,560. Benefits include an employer matched retirement, health insurance program, and generous paid time off.
OTHER NOTES
Candidates MUST be able to pass a background check
Top candidates may be asked to provide samples of their work that demonstrate their ability to fulfill the requirements of this position
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Staff members are expected to consciously and continuously promote the mission, values, programs, and impact of the organization when presented with opportunities for participating in membership development and reaching out to personal connections on behalf of SRT.
Sequoia Riverlands Trust is an equal opportunity employer. Our practices support diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in our workforce.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
CONTACT
https://sequoiariverlands.org/careers
5,597,380,211