Contact Name: Ryan Bautista
Company/Organization/Agency: Peninsula Open Space Trust
Address: 222 High Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301 United States
Email Address: rbautista@openspacetrust.org
Contact Phone:
Job Title: Conservation Easement Manager
Job Description: At Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), we are committed to protecting nature in our region, fostering equity in all that we do, and positively impacting local biodiversity and climate resilience. POST is looking for a passionate conservation-minded professional with experience managing land use projects. The Conservation Easement Manager leads all aspects of POST’s conservation easement stewardship program, serving as the primary point of contact for landowners whose properties are protected by easements, ensuring that POST’s annual monitoring obligations on over 40 properties are fulfilled, and leading the process for documenting and addressing potential easement violations. The Manager also consults on new Conservation Easement transactions, coordinating with the Transactions team on the development of term sheets and easement documents. This is a unique opportunity to join one of the most successful land trusts in the country and to protect and care for the spectacular landscapes of the San Francisco Peninsula and the South Bay for the benefit of all. POST is currently a combined remote and hybrid workplace, and our policy regarding hybrid work schedules continues to evolve. We expect to maintain flexibility regarding schedules and hybrid working arrangements. The successful candidate for this job must live within a reasonable driving distance to POST lands on the San Francisco Peninsula and in the South Bay. In this role, you will: Manage all aspects of conservation easement stewardship: Lead planning of annual conservation easement monitoring including timing, staffing, technology use, and tracking Coordinate and, as necessary, participate in the annual monitoring of all conservation easements and deed restrictions by staff and a team of over 100 volunteers Manage over 100 conservation easement volunteers including providing easement monitoring training, creating and maintaining teams for each property, and coordinating logistics and communication with teams annually Steward relationships with easement landowners including communication with landowners regarding monitoring visits, permissible use, potential easement violations, and other issues as necessary Oversee and be responsible for all annual easement monitoring reports Address easement violation issues in coordination with legal counsel, and Executive team, as needed, to develop remediation strategies and track landowner compliance Update and implement appropriate procedures and documentation for easement monitoring Research, track changes and trends, and implement new technologies in conservation easement stewardship, and act as an internal consultant to land stewardship and transactions staff, program managers, and other staff on Conservation Easement aspects of POST projects Oversee POST’s periodic Land Trust Alliance (LTA) reaccreditation process, and ensures compliance of conservation easement stewardship program with LTA Accreditation Standards and Practices including diligent maintenance of digital and paper conservation easement records Manage POST’s Terrafirma Conservation Defense Insurance contract including billing, claims and annual renewal Serve as a POST ambassador to the legal and land conservation communities by presenting at and attending conferences and partner and community meetings and events such as California Council of Land Trusts Conservation Forum and LTA Rally Be our resident expert for conservation easement transactions: Support development of term sheets and easement documents for new conservation easement transactions Coordinate with Transactions Project Managers, landowners, external partners, and funders in the drafting, negotiation, and finalization of conservation easement terms Manage outside legal counsel in drafting of conservation easement documents Document baseline conditions for new conservation easement projects including agricultural and working forest conservation easements, in coordination with Transaction Project Managers and our GIS Team To thrive in this role, you will have: Five or more years of directly related work experience in natural resource management or equivalent combination of education and experience Demonstrated experience with conservation easement stewardship practices and principles Knowledge of current conservation laws and Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices regarding conservation easement stewardship Experience with project management including careful documentation and record-keeping and clear communication to multiple stakeholders Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail A commitment to POST’s core values and our work in diversity, equity, and inclusion Public speaking/presentation skills to effectively represent POST Ability to effectively persuade and motivate others including volunteers Excellent written communication skills Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to effectively interact and build rapport with diverse groups of individuals, including a customer-service mentality Ability to navigate difficult conversations and effectively adapt to changing situations in the field, for example in working with conservation easement landowners Ability to work independently and meet deadlines Familiarity with database programs, in particular the Salesforce platform Valid California Driver’s License This role has the following physical or scheduling requirements: Using a computer and office software, applications, and equipment on a continual basis, and sometimes in the field. Requires regular and accurate communication with others using telephone and video technology, and ability to interact effectively with digital and printed materials. The person in this role will sometimes need to move or transfer materials weighing up to 20 pounds. Must be able to hike rough and varied terrain that includes exposure to weather, pests and noxious plants Ability to drive four-wheel drive vehicles over rough terrain Requires some rare evening and occasional weekend work to accommodate volunteer or landowner schedules Reasonable accommodations will be made to allow individuals to perform the essential functions of this position If you would like to apply: Please write a cover letter telling us why you are a great match for this role and submit that along with your resume using the Apply link on our Careers page. STARTING SALARY RANGE FOR THIS POSITION: $96,390-107,100 depending upon level of skills and experience, plus excellent benefits POST’s Core Values: Nature Connects Us All: We believe that we are part of an interconnected web of life and that diversity of all types creates strength and resilience. In our work, we strive to protect and heal the ecosystems that support our collective well-being. Act Today for the Long-Term: We take action today in ways that support our bold, long-term vision. We accept and balance the tension between the present and the future while staying true to our purpose. Commit to Learning and Growth: We are creative, curious and courageous in our approaches and willing to change course when necessary. We learn from our successes and mistakes. Care About How We Work: We believe all living things should be treated with dignity. We acknowledge the many injustices against people and nature. We are dedicated to strive for equity in our actions. Honor Our Collective Strengths: We have the most positive impact when we work together toward a shared vision. We catalyze, collaborate and complement to support the best outcomes for all. POST is an equal opportunity employer. We believe diversity and equity is central to our mission to protect open space in our region for the benefit of all. We are committed to creating an inclusive, values-driven workplace where all employees can thrive. Come join us!
Job Start Date: 8/1/2022
Application Deadline: 8/1/2022
Additional Information: https://app.jobvite.com/j?cj=oRAjkfwO&s=Trail_Builders