Land Protection and Stewardship Coordinator – Lexington, KY
Organization: Bluegrass Conservancy
Position Title: Land Protection and Stewardship Coordinator
Location: Lexington, KY
Hours & Compensation: Full-time. $40,000 to start.
Application Deadline: June 7, 2013.
Posted On: May 17, 2013.
Organization Overview:
Bluegrass Conservancy is a private, non-profit land trust founded in 1995 and nationally accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission of the Land Trust Alliance in 2013. Our organization has been a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charity since 1996. Bluegrass Conservancy’s mission is to protect the Inner Bluegrass Region of Kentucky through land conservation for future generations. A board of directors governs Bluegrass Conservanacy, while a small, team-oriented staff carries on our moderate to fast-paced day-to-day operations from an open office environment.
Description:
This full-time position reports directly to the Easement Project Counsel to advance the Conservancy’s land protection and community conservation goals, which include stewarding our growing portfolio of nearly 100 existing easements. The Land Protection and Stewardship Coordinator is responsible for successfully building, maintaining, and growing working relationships with: private landowners; private, governmental, and non-profit partners and supporters; and members of the general public that will advance the Conservancy’s land protection and related goals as a community-based organization.
Responsibilities:
Land Protection and Stewardships (60%):
- Assist with identifying potential projects within priority conservation areas, initiating outreach, and sustaining regular communications with individual landowners and strategic partners.
- Discuss the benefits and limitations of conservation easements and the basic fincial implications and tax benefits available to landowners in Kentucky.
- Prepare baseline documentation for easement properties, including written, photo, and GPS documentation; hand-drawn maps; and GIS mapping.
- Maintain and upgrade easement project and stewardship files and systems to document communications, activities, intentions, and actions; ensure recordkeeping meets expectations and policies.
- Coordinate with landowners and at least annually monitor the Conservancy’s growing portfolio.
- Responsible for entering data related to easement inquiries, stewardship, and projects; serves as back-up to the membership/outreach database. Willing to learn new database(s) for stewardship, as needed.
- Assist with all aspects of easement stewardship, including addressing landowner inquiries related to proposed land use activities on conserved lands as well as interpreting easement language to see if they are in compliance with easement terms, and corresponding with landowners.
- Assist with addressing easement amendment requests, and when justified to improve conservation values with facilitating easement amendments.
- Assist with appropriately addressing easement violations, coordinating with prtners as necessary, and maintaining open lines of communication with landowners.
Community Programs and Outreach (20%):
- Work with the Communications and Community Programs Coordinator to promote land protection and other programs through related tasks including, but not limited to , writing and taking photographs for the Conservancy’s website, e-communications, and publications; setting up, cleaning up, attending, and assisting at events and programs; and other outreach efforts.
- Collaborate in the development and implementation of an Annual Community Programs Plan to increase the organization’s community relevance, grow the donor and volunteer base, and enhance long-term commitment to conservation. Identify, cultivate, and obtain program leaders. Organize and oversee program logistics and budgets as necessary.
- Supervise seasonal interns, volunteers, and sub-contractors related to program development and implementation.
Other (20%):
- Assist the Easement Project Counsel and Executive Director with: 1) Developing an annual work plan and budget for the Land Protection and Stewardship program; and 2) Participating, assisting, and preparing materials for Easement Committee meetings and quarterly Board meetings.
- Assist the Development Team with events and relevant grant management and scoping as needed.
- Develop funding proposals and budgets for land protection projects and personnel cosets as needed. Manage awarded grants, including tracking project deliverables and budget expenditures.
- Participate in local, regional, and national networks of land conservationists to advance land protection goals.
- Develop systems to increase organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
- Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in an applicable discipline.
- Good listener and clear communicator, both verbally and in writing, with a strong understanding of the power of language to advance or hinder progress.
- Diplomatic and upbeat personality with ability to quickly establish rapport and develop trust-based relationships, work collaboratively, accept responsibility, share credit, and motivate partners and landowners.
- Detail-oriented and highly organized.
- Able to self-start, multi-task, manage time, set priorities, and provide strategic decision-making in good humor, in a flexible manner.
- Proficiency with Microsoft (for Apple) Word, Powerpoint, and Excel, as well as web content management systems, social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), and database management. Able to learn new computer skills as needed.
- Proficiency with relevant GIS skills (Arc 10 preferred) needed to map land protection projects, assess their conservation values, and identify new projects and priorities at the landscape scale.
- Familiarity with standard data management, including digital photography and GPS data collection and management.
- Experience with and knowledge of working lands, historic resources, and natural systems.
- Physical ability to walk up to two miles over rough terrain and navigate in remote areas.
- Ability to travel in your own vehicle and work occasional evenings and weekends.
- Creative ability and photography skills a plus.
- Familiarity with the culture and landscapes of our service area (Inner Bluegrass Region of Kentucky) a plus.
- Able to handle confidential information and maintain strict confidentiality.
- Demonstrated ability to learn and implement learning both generally as well as in the specific areas related to the position.
How to Apply:
Please send a cover letter and resume (including three references) before June 7 to [email protected] or Executive Director, Bluegrass Conservancy, Dudley Square, 380 South Mill Street, Suite 205, Lexington, KY 40508. Position will remain open until filled.
Contact Information:
Bluegrass Conservancy, http://www.bluegrassconservancy.org
