Location: Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County
Job Type: Full time, exempt position
Salary Range: $80,000 – $110,000/yr
Organization Overview
Founded in 1985, The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is a 501(c) (3) tax exempt California nonprofit Corporation that conserves natural resources, agricultural land, and open spaces for the benefit of present and future generations. We are a nationally accredited member of the Land Trust Alliance and California Council of Land Trusts. For the past 40 years, the Land Trust has worked to protect the spectacular landscapes we call home to ensure essential habitats, local food systems, and access to open space for all communities now and for future generations. Several years of tremendous growth and achievement have resulted in the successful conservation of over 57,000 acres, 58 conservation easements, and thousands of residents enjoying the outdoors. The Land Trust is expanding our work to better serve everyone in this incredible county, including new community- based programs and creating a possible public preserve in the Santa Maria Valley.
The Opportunity
The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is looking for a Land Use Planner to join our dynamic team. This is a new, exempt position based in Santa Barbara County with a full time (40 hour/week) schedule. This position reports to the Land Stewardship Director, but time is split with approximately 50% to the stewardship department and approximately 50% working on the acquisition and planning of a new Santa Maria Valley preserve. Within the stewardship department, many of our conserved properties allow for some sort of limited development and exercise of reserved rights under the conservation easement. The Land Use Planner performs a wide variety of tasks related to review of landowner projects and development plans to ensure compliance with easement requirements, as well as landowner and partner education and representing the Land Trust at meetings. The role also involves preserve planning, environmental review and permitting, coordination of meetings, and development of written materials.
Required Qualifications
• College degree in relevant field, or commensurate experience
• 4+ years of experience working in a land use capacity in California
• Knowledge of Santa Barbara County land use policies and trends
• Demonstrated project management abilities. Strong skills in project record-keeping, organization, and management of collaborative teams
• Ability to work independently and oversee a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner with accuracy and attention to detail
• Willingness to frequently travel throughout Santa Barbara County
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and other general office software
• Informed passion, commitment, and sense of urgency for the mission of the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County
Preferred Qualifications
• Previous professional experience working on land use issues within a conservation/protected lands context
• Previous experience reviewing title reports, title insurance, conservation easements, and other real estate documents
• Previous experience with projects involving historic and on-going oil production.
• GIS or mapping experience is helpful, but not required
Essential Requirements
• Access to reliable transportation
• Ability to sit at a desk, type, bend, and twist
• Ability to lift or move up to 15 pounds
• Ability to walk 5 miles over rugged terrain
Compensation and Benefits
The annual compensation range for this role is $80,000 – $110,000. Benefits include generous vacation, paid health and dental premiums, and a supportive team culture. Employees also have the opportunity to join an employer-sponsored retirement plan. This is a full time, exempt (salaried) position with a flexible, hybrid work schedule and requires frequent travel throughout the county, including the Santa Maria Valley, with occasional evening or weekend work.