Conservation Project Coordinator

Conservation Project Coordinator

• Reports to the Conservation Program Director
• Full-time, non-exempt (hourly) position
• Compensation:  $21.00 - $23.00/hour DOE 
• Hours: 8am-5pm Mon – Fri, with some flexibility

Job Summary

The Conservation Project Coordinator (CPC) supports administration of land use agreements aimed at protecting agricultural and natural resource values on lands conserved with a conservation agreement. This includes annual monitoring for compliance with terms of the conservation agreements, documenting, gathering data, creating and filing reports, responding to landowner questions related to their agreement, and building relationships with CE landowners. The CPC will work with the Conservation Program Director, Transaction Specialist, consultants, funders, and others to conduct due diligence, annual monitoring and reporting of each CE property, and support systems and services used in the monitoring and data gathering needed in this position. Under supervision, this person also provides administrative support to Solano Land Trust (SLT) committees responsible for reviewing land transactions and CE stewardship actions and will serve as a technical resource for other Solano Land Trust staff on land stewardship.

Background

SLT is a 501(c) 3 public-benefit corporation with the mission to inspire a love of the land, and preserve it for people, food, and the natural environment. SLT owns nearly 12,000 acres of land and holds 34 conservation easements on an additional 13,700+ acres. We have an active program to protect additional lands, primarily through conservation easement acquisition. SLT works with landowners in rural Solano County to educate them on the use of a Conservation Agreement to conserve their land and provide potential financial opportunities related to their landownership. SLT also works to assist developers, landowners, and local governments with mitigating impacts of development on farmland, habitat, or other valuable resources SLT enters into mitigation services agreements to protect or restore those values on lands acquired for mitigation purposes or on lands already owned by the land trust. SLT also seeks grants from a variety of sources for its land transaction program.

SLT is accredited by the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) which recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national standards for excellence, uphold the public trust, and ensure that conservation benefits are lasting. The Coordinator’s work will be done in accordance with LTA Standards & Practices, as well as SLT policies and practices.

The Conservation Project Coordinator will be responsible for the following outcomes:

• Timely and accurate conservation easement monitoring and related reporting
• Current and up to date files and records as required by SLT policies and Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices
• Management of any applications or subscriptions used to monitor or gather data (GIS, ArcGIS, Landscape, etc.) for annual monitoring and general data use
• Support of all phases of real estate transactions
• Support of the Agricultural Conservation Easement and Agricultural Strategies committee meetings

Areas of Responsibility

Land Transaction and Stewardship Support:

• Under the direction of the Conservation Program Director conduct annual conservation easement monitoring:

• Notify and communicate with landowners
• Review and evaluate easement documents
• Inspect easement properties
• Prepare and distribute monitoring reports
• Identify follow-up items or compliance concerns
• Maintain accurate and thorough monitoring records

• Support administrative aspects of the Transactions Program under the direction of the Conservation Program Director:

• Support the maintenance and record keeping of transaction, easement stewardship, and land management files for all new projects
• Work with staff, volunteers, and outside contractors as necessary to ensure that all land conservation transactions are adequately documented, including written reports, GIS maps, photographs and other means, as needed
• Contribute to periodic status reports for staff and Board
• Contribute to the support of two Board committees
• Have a working understanding of the Transactions Program budget
• Assist as needed with the preparation of acquisition plans and strategies

Other Administrative and Organizational Support:

• Assist with preparation of grant proposals
• Support SLT fundraising and outreach events as needed
• Work with staff to identify and cultivate potential donors
• Represent SLT at meetings and conferences
• Stay current with land conservation techniques and issues through conferences, training, attending public forums, and reading periodicals and other relevant documents
• Foster effective relationships to enhance SLT’s mission
• Build relationships with public and private landowners interested in permanent land protection
• Build relationships with federal, state, and local funding organizations and private donors
• Provide administrative and organizational support to other projects as requested
• Periodically assist with renewal of Land Trust Alliance accreditation

SLT’s Culture

We value and benefit from the unique life experiences and collective wisdom of our diverse community and we intentionally seek out and welcome those voices who have historically not been involved in our work. We are learners who are always looking for ways to grow personally and we support and encourage our colleagues to be their best. We are self-starters and are flexible to ever-changing circumstances and we operate with integrity, trust, personal responsibility, and mutual respect.

Position Requirements

Minimum Education, Skills, Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental planning, public administration, business, or a related field AND at least 2 years of previous experience working in land conservation or real estate OR High School Diploma AND 5 years’ experience in real estate, title work, or legal assistant in land conservation or related field
• Strong skills working with the GIS program, data gathering, and map creation, and the ability to work with or learn new technical applications and programs
• Excellent interpersonal skills, specifically in communications (writing and verbal), the ability to understand a process and execute.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and stay organized, including being detail-oriented and able to multi-task
• Strong oral and written communication, proven editing skills
• Strong organizational skills, ability to multi-task and prioritize
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
• Ability to hike for prolonged periods in rough terrain, endure stinging insects, heat and inclement weather, lift up to 10 lbs
• Valid driver’s license and auto insurance; ability to operate a motor vehicle safely on and off road
• High degree of personal integrity to maintain necessary confidentiality of land transactions and land use agreements.
• Self-starter who works well in a collaborative setting

Salary and Benefits

Solano Land Trust provides a portion of the employee’s health, dental, and vision insurance, matches up to 3% of employee’s contribution toward their 403.b retirement account, and provides eleven paid holidays and three weeks of vacation per year.