Overview

The Conservation Project Manager reports to the Executive Director and will work closely with the Conservation Director, Lands Manager & Stewardship Director, and other GLT staff members with a focus on completing fee simple or conservation easement land transactions and associated real estate oriented work.
The position will be responsible for facilitating project due diligence, recordkeeping, and drafting and negotiating legal documents including purchase and sale agreements, warranty deeds, and conservation easements associated with new projects.
The Conservation Project Manager will work with GLT staff, board and legal counsel, landowners, funders, and partners on projects and will be responsible for assuring that all conservation and acquisition projects adhere to GLT’s policies and procedures and the Land Trust Alliance’s Accreditation Standards and Practices.
The Conservation Project Manager may also work at times with the Executive Director and Lands Manager & Stewardship Director to address upholding conservation easements on protected properties and assist in developing strategies to trouble-shoot infractions and violations when they occur.
Additionally, the Conservation Project Manager will work with the Executive Director and Conservation Director to continue developing, promoting, and utilizing GLT’s successful In-Lieu Fee Wetland Mitigation program.
As part of the GLT team, the Conservation Project Manager will participate in GLT’s grant writing, fundraising, and community outreach activities, including helping to host events and activities. All staff on our team embrace public speaking and networking opportunities as we work to develop and sustain relationships with funders and community partners and grow our base of supporters in both size and diversity.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the project manager for active conservation projects. Responsible for coordinating multiple sub-contractors to complete due diligence and ensure thorough, accurate, timely, and ethical completion of conservation projects.
• Review, track progress, and report on due diligence progress for land projects including appraisals, title review, environmental site assessments/hazardous materials assessments, and preliminary project budgets.
• Draft conservation easements (based on GLT’s template), purchase and sale agreements, engagement letters, warranty deeds, and other documents related to land conservation projects, and facilitate negotiations related to the documents. This work is typically done in consultation with GLT’s legal counsel, other staff, and the Executive Director.
• Maintain GLT’s conservation easement template and stay current on trends and guidelines associated with land transactions, in consultation with GLT’s legal counsel.
• Work with GLT’s Executive Director, Conservation Director, and Lands Manager & Stewardship Director to assess and prepare conservation easement amendments as necessary and to assist with GLT’s response to violations of existing conservation easements if/when they occur.
• Contribute to GLT Board of Directors and Lands Committee reports and meeting presentations regarding the status and progress on active land conservation projects.
• Work with the Executive Director and Conservation Director to continue developing, promoting, and utilizing GLT’s successful In-Lieu Fee Wetland Mitigation program.
• Maintain compliance with LTA accreditation standards including maintaining GLT’s project-related
  recordkeeping; evaluate, draft, and update GLT policies as needed.
• Contribute to grant proposals and funder reports for project and organizational funding.
• Work with GLT’s team of staff to host a variety of events, activities, and community outreach.

Essential skills and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required in one or more of the following areas: land use planning, law, natural resources management, conservation, environmental studies, or a related field.
• Possess and utilize a collaborative project management style; demonstrated ability to organize, motivate, and support contractors and partners to complete complex land transactions on schedule.
• Outstanding communication skills, including the ability to convey complex information effectively in written documents and public speaking; ability to effectively represent GLT to a wide network with diverse audiences of individuals and organizations, including landowners, government officials, community organizations, media representatives, attorneys, and appraisers and other contractors.
• High-energy, creative, self-starter with excellent record keeping, time management, and organizational skills; proven ability to meet deadlines and maintain flexibility in a fast-paced work environment. Detail oriented.
• Experience working with contracts and legal agreements, preferably including experience with legal, financial, and/or real estate components of land conservation transactions.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement, discretion, and decision making. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and professional work standards and ethics.
• Strong experience using standard computer operating systems in the office environment.
• Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to work effectively, positively, and collaboratively as part of our dynamic team.
  This outline illustrates the type of work that characterizes the Job Classification. It is not an all-encompassing statement of the specific duties and responsibilities of, and qualifications for, the individual positions assigned to the classification.
• Willingness to travel as necessary within GLT’s service area or for conferences/events, occasionally work outside, and maintain flexibility in work schedule including evenings and weekends during busy time periods.
• Ability to participate in occasional travel in vehicles, small planes, and boats to remote areas.
  Encounters with wildlife a possibility, with any luck. Ability to hike over rough terrain in questionable
  weather while carrying a pack in order to explore, assess, and monitor properties.
• Ability to withstand the typical daily work environment of 8+ hours indoors at a computer, processing detailed information or editing technical writing.
• A passion for natural resource conservation and protection; working knowledge of land conservation techniques.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in land conservation with a background in an appropriate combination of land planning, land management, law, real estate, or related field.
• Working knowledge of Alaska land ownership (e.g. Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), split-estate, etc.)
• Familiarity with tax benefits associated with land conservation.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Experience working with landowners and negotiating conservation transactions.
• Experience drafting and negotiating conservation easements, purchase agreements, and/or other land transaction documents.