Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive.

We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. Whether it’s career development, work/life balance, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all of our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued.

Although you’ll see requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Passion, innovation, and diversity are all key components to advancing our Mission and we encourage you to apply.

The Land Protection Manager coordinates and implements land protection work for the New York Division to protect habitat important for conserving biodiversity in the face of climate change, for carbon storage and sequestration, for water source protection, for climate adaptation, and for the many co-benefits provided to communities.  This includes using the full range of protection tools, including gift, easement, purchase, conservation brokerage and cooperative projects with federal, state, and local government, conservation organizations, and other partners as appropriate.

The Land Protection Manager is responsible for protecting and helping ensure the sustainable management of lands primarily within New York, guided by the Conservancy’s values, which includes a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. They collaborate with a range of Nature Conservancy team members and partners to identify priority sites, develop relationships with property owners (individuals, organizations and public entities), arrange for the acquisition of legal interests in land and water (by the Conservancy and others), and create strategic objectives to ensure long-term protection and/or sustainable management.   This work will include strong collaboration and integration with the Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) team in support of forest carbon and other climate mitigation projects involving land protection.  The position will also provide technical support to partners in land protection efforts around shared priorities.  Along with using standard real estate acquisition techniques, the Land Protection Manager may also work with public and private entities on innovative community-based and policy-oriented tools to conserve floodplains, wetlands, forests, and shorelines.  Securing funding is crucial to success, and the Land Protection Manager works with other team members and partners to help identify and secure funds for transactions, including state and federal grants, mitigation funds, and other funding sources.

The position is expected to include real property conservation, including fielding land acquisition and land management questions from a host of individuals and organizations.  In addition to traditional land protection, the Land Protection Manager will work on developing innovative partnerships and methods for leveraging protection by other entities, such as helping to leverage impact capital/conservation investor capital for land protection and identifying creative ways to ensure long-term land/water protection outside of traditional fee purchases and conservation easements.

• Negotiates real estate transactions, which can bind the Conservancy legally and financially.
• Plans and directs work on protection projects and is lead on obtaining TNC corporate and board approvals for Land Protection projects.
• Promotes innovative public and private conservation financing for land protection work.
• Engages in a proactive partnership with the Land Assets and other conservation teams around potential protection projects. Assesses potential land protection projects and works with the Land Assets team to develop long term management and disposition plans. This entails field work, working with contractors, appraisers, surveyors etc., financial institutions and partners including the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
• Maintains records related to land transactions.
• Financial responsibility may include working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, and assisting with budget development.
• Works with counsel to draft legal documents such as purchase and sale agreements, option agreements, and conservation easements.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements, including Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices.
• Fosters cross-site learning among a diverse conservation community.
• Supplies state and regional planning teams with information for protection projects.
• Helps raise funds from individual, corporate and foundation donors, in conjunction with Philanthropy staff.
• May supervise administrative and professional staff, with responsibility for performance management, training and development.  Manages seasonal staff as needed.
• Under minimal supervision, makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and judgment.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Travel (primarily within New York) required; some evening and weekend hours.

• BA/BS, forestry, law or business degree and 5 years’ experience in natural resource management and real estate transactions, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience negotiating complex agreements.
• Experience in managing multiple, complex projects.
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
• Experience in GIS.
• Supervisory experience.
• Valid Drivers’ License.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Solid familiarity with principles of land acquisition with hands-on experience consummating transactions. nowledge of land management conservation practice and conservation science.
• Knowledge of carbon offset markets and/por experience with forest carbon market projects is a plus.
• Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience working with public agencies in land protection transactions.
• Experience tapping innovative financing for land protection work.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and natural resource preservation.
• Excellent English communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means.
• Completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).

This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered “high risk drivers.” To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee’s motor vehicle record.

To apply for job ID 50404, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on October 31, 2021. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

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TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.