Position Announcement

Piscataquog Land Conservancy (PLC) announced today that it is seeking a full-time Land Protection Specialist to provide direct oversight of its land protection programs. The LPS will be charged with identifying and initiating land protection opportunities that meet the PLC’s conservation goals, screening conservation projects brought to the PLC to insure they meet established criteria and manage all transactional aspects of the PLC’s acquisitions, by gift or purchase, of conservation easements and fee interests from private landowners, governmental entities, and other conservation groups. In addition, the LPS will represent the organization in conservation partnerships or coalitions and work collaboratively with conservation partners to achieve mutual short and long term conservation goals.

Established in 1970, the PLC is a non-profit, member-supported regional land trust serving 12 communities in south-central New Hampshire: Bedford, Deering, Dunbarton, Francestown, Goffstown, Greenfield, Henniker, Lyndeborough, Manchester, Mont Vernon, New Boston and Weare. The PLC owns in fee or holds conservation easements on more than 5,000 acres on 90 parcels. Our office is located in New Boston, NH. The PLC is governed by a 10-member Board of Directors, staffed by a full-time executive director with part time administrative support and enjoys a strong committee structure and volunteer support. The position will remain open until filled.

Position Description
Land Protection Specialist

Title: Land Protection Specialist (LPS) Salary Range: $30,000- $45,000
Reports To: Executive Director Position: Exempt, Full Time, Not Temporary

Position Summary:
The LPS is responsible for the direct oversight of land protection activities for the PLC. S/he is charged with identifying and initiating land protection opportunities that meet the PLC’s conservation goals, as well as screening conservation projects that are brought to the PLC to insure they meet established criteria. The LPS manages all transactional aspects of the PLC’s acquisitions, by gift or purchase, of conservation easements and fee interests from private landowners, governmental entities, and other conservation groups. S/he represents the organization in conservation partnerships or coalitions and works collaboratively with conservation partners to achieve short and long term conservation goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Manage all aspects of the PLC’s real estate transactions:
- Landowner communications, meetings and negotiations
- Assessment and documentation of conservation values
- Presentations to committees, board and staff
- Design and recommendation of project structure including protection mechanism, restrictions, allowed uses and management recommendations, as well as project budget, funding plan and timeline
- Drafting of all legal documents (purchase and sales agreements, conservation easement deeds, option agreements) using PLC templates subject to approval by board of directors and PLC legal counsel
- Engaging and overseeing subcontractors such as appraisers, surveyors, title companies, consultants
- Completing due diligence including hazardous waste assessments, baseline documentation, and/or other environmental reviews as required
- Adherence to all PLC policies and procedures and Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices
- Assisting with project fundraising including presentations to and solicitation of potential donors and preparation of grant applications

Organizational Responsibilities:
- Serve as staff liaison to PLC land protection & stewardship committees
- Maintain working knowledge of current trends, developments and activities occurring in the local, state and national land conservation community
- Work cooperatively with executive director to achieve overall goals and objectives of organization
- Attend PLC events as requested and engage with PLC members and supporters to promote PLC’s mission
- Serve as PLC representative in partnerships, collaborations and initiatives with municipalities, other NGO’s and state and federal agencies as requested

Contributions / Outcomes:
- The LPS is responsible for guiding the core program work of the PLC as a regional land trust. As such the LPS plays a key role by informing, guiding and helping to formulate the PLC’s long and short term conservation objectives.
- Primary outcomes will be the conveyance to PLC of land or conservation easements that meet the long term conservation and stewardship goals of the PLC. Secondary outcomes include strong relationships with conservation partners, positive experiences by landowners and strategic landowner outreach and education efforts aimed at encouraging future conservation commitments.

Competencies:
- Persuasive communicator with strong oral and written communication, presentation and negotiation skills
- Strong interpersonal skills: diplomatic, relationship-oriented. Comfortable meeting new people from diverse backgrounds and engaging with them in multiple contexts (education, collaboration, negotiation) with diplomacy, respect and sensitivity.
- Solution and results-oriented project management skills; a drive to complete projects on time and on budget
- Attuned to land conservation strategies and techniques
- Strong collaborator with a team orientation, self-directed and able to work independently

Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, land use planning, project management or related field
- Three or more years experience in land protection. Firsthand experience working with conservation easements and fee title transactions and real estate due diligence experience a plus.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office. Knowledge of ArcView GIS software preferred.
- Ability to traverse rough terrain, wooded parcels, wetlands and steep slopes independently navigating using map and compass or GPS
- Knowledge of basic first aid and ability to exercise good judgement with regard to outdoor safety
- Valid, insurable driver’s license, clean driving record and reliable vehicle

Working Conditions:
- The PLC office is located in the center of New Boston, NH. Office space is shared with part-time staff.
- A Flextime schedule accommodates the required night and weekend work, which is often conducted outside, or at various locations throughout the 12-town region.

To apply: Send electronic resume package to:

Paula Bellemore, Executive Director, PLC
Pbellemore@plcnh.org
Subject line: Land Protection Specialist

No phone calls or paper resumes, please

The Piscataquog Land Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer.