Stewardship Program Manager - Conservation Easement

Sonoma Land Trust•Santa Rosa, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Sonoma Land Trust (SLT) is seeking a Conservation Easement Program Manager to lead its conservation easement program. This role involves working with partners, colleagues, and private landowners to protect biodiversity and create a more resilient environment. The Program Manager will be the primary point of contact for CE landowners, collaborate on easement acquisitions, manage approval and violation/enforcement work, maintain easement property records, and direct the easement monitoring program. The position also includes training Stewardship Technicians, maintaining landowner relationships, collaborating with partner organizations, serving as the legal counsel contact for easement defense, and working with philanthropy and communications teams. Additionally, the Program Manager will participate in project inquiry and evaluation processes and assist acquisition program managers with land protection projects.

Requirements

A four-year degree in natural resources management, planning, real estate, or a related field and/or equivalent experience in resource management, land use or environmental planning, non-profit management, fundraising, real estate, or a related field.
Proficiency with ArcGIS and experience with GPS field units.
Demonstrated work experience with conservation easements, land use law, and land conservation.
Professional writing skills including preparing grant applications.
Skill in public speaking and ability to represent SLT in public forums.
Creativity and problem-solving skills are essential, as are curiosity, independence, and the ability to work as a cooperative member of a team.
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ability to work occasional weekends or after business hours.
Must be able to hike over steep and rugged terrain.
A valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Developing and fostering relationships with diverse communities and organizations to support SLT’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Plan.
Building and maintaining collaborative relationships with co-workers, partner organizations, government officials, public agencies, community groups and the public.
Understanding of emerging public policy issues affecting land use and land preservation, including climate change, habitat protection, and water quality and quantity.

Responsibilities

Develop annual budget and work plan for CE stewardship program.
Draft policies, reports, and provide organizational updates related to CE stewardship.
Work with colleagues and attorneys to keep stewardship practices current and effective.
Develop and maintain online CE database using the Salesforce Locate software for all CE management recordkeeping purposes.
Keep abreast of legal and practice trends and initiatives to ensure the CE program is positioned on the leading edge of land.
Represent SLT and make presentations to community groups and professional conferences.
Maintain records for each conservation easement, including tracking property statistics, ownership contact information, Baseline Documentation Reports, and monitoring reports.
Train and oversee the work of the Stewardship Technicians for annual monitoring of CE/fee land properties.
Research and develop new monitoring practices using technologies including the most recent GIS software, mobile devices, and GPS technology to collect data and create current maps for CE properties.
Direct SLT’s annual monitoring program and the Landowner Relations Program that works to develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with conservation easement landowners and partnering organizations.
Review and respond to notices and requests for approval related to reserved and restricted rights on each property as defined by the conservation easement.
Manage all aspects of conservation easement violations and requests for CE approvals, notices, and amendments, including field work, easement review and interpretation, working with legal counsel, negotiations with landowners and other parties, and thorough documentation of all aspects of any violations or requests or notices.
Lead the staff team that updates and improves SLT’s Conservation Easement template.
Assist Acquisitions program managers to complete CE land protection projects throughout Sonoma County, including project intake and due diligence, CE drafting, and baseline drafting.
Maintain relationships with property owners and project partners.
Assist in fundraising, project presentations, and contracts management.
Prepare or manage contractors to complete comprehensive Baseline Documentation Reports for each conservation easement acquisition.
Participate in various local, regional, state and national efforts related to CE and resource management.
Work with SLT’s Communications team to support and develop public outreach opportunities, newsletter articles, etc., related to conservation easements.
Promote, coordinate, and participate in recreational activities such as hikes, stewardship work parties, environmental education, and member events.
Other duties as assigned or necessary.