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Director of Land Conservation

Position Summary:

The Director of Land Conservation is responsible for the successful acquisition, effective stewardship and enforcement, and overall administration of Capital Region Land Conservancy’s land interests to include conservation easements and lands held in fee. The position supervises the Deputy Director of Land Conservation and the Land Stewardship Manager, who, together with the Executive Director and other staff, coordinate the successful implementation of CRLC’s mission, vision, and strategic plan throughout its expanded service area.

Primary Duties:

Land Protection

•  Lead the Conservancy’s conservation easement acquisition program from application to recordation, and oversee ongoing stewardship and enforcement
• Coordinate with the Deputy Director of Land Conservation and oversee the Conservancy’s fee simple acquisition program and any dispositions of land interests
• Engage with Board members to convene and manage CRLC’s Easement and Owned Land Committee meetings and prepare documentation for Board approval 
• Lead the creation of baseline documentation reports and oversee the creation of other land management plans
• Communicate, and sometimes negotiate, directly with landowners regarding their vision for the future of their property and CRLC’s need for measurable and enforceable restrictions on conserved lands
• Work directly with landowner attorneys, appraisers, tax credit brokers and other professionals
• Support and understand CRLC’s unique service area and the need to balance conservation and development and appreciate the diverse needs for urban, suburban and rural conservation across the Richmond region
• Help implement grant program requirements for initiatives such as Agricultural Land Easements (NRCS-ALE), American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP), Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR), Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF) and Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF)

Stewardship

• Oversee and fulfill the conservancy’s policies for responses to landowner notices, reviews and approvals including notices of potential violation
• Maintain CRLC’s insurance policy with its legal defense insurance provider Terrafirma, to include completing the annual application and filing of any relevant insurance claims
• Support the Land Stewardship Manager’s efforts to achieve compliance with deeds of easements by maintaining good relationships and open communication with easement donors and subsequent landowners to include review and approval of annual monitoring reports and communications intended to avert easement violations
• Engender an ethos of landowner trust and relationship building among all staff

Management

• Supervise, manage, and coach subordinate staff
• Engage attorneys, either as in-house or external pro bono, low bono, or contractual, and work collaboratively to represent CRLC’s interest in legal matters such as deeds, contracts, and enforcement
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with public and private partners emphasizing process and consistency

Administration

• Work closely with Executive Director to ensure compliance with CRLC’s policies, Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices, accreditation requirements, and all federal, state, and local laws
• Participate in and co-lead the Land Trust Alliance’s reaccreditation process
• Develop, maintain, regularly review, and update CRLC policies and processes considering best practices and accreditation requirements
• Oversee CRLC’s paper and digital records including archiving requirements for land interests and periodically auditing such records to ensure compliance with policies

Outreach

• Public Outreach and direct engagement with landowners and broader community to educate about conservation easements and the breadth of CRLC’s work
• Establish and maintain working relationships with partner Soil and Water Conservation Districts and pro bono attorneys
• Cultivate relationships with community members, local planning staff, and other stakeholders

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Land Planning, Real Estate or related field
• Master’s degree (preferred)
• 7-10 years of successful experience at a land trust (preference for accredited organizations), in land protection, natural resource conservation, land use planning or similar disciplines, or a combination of education and experience in these areas
• Valid driver’s license and regular access to a vehicle
• Live within the Richmond region

Skill Requirements:

• Advanced knowledge of conservation best practices and principles including but not limited to agriculture, forestry, botany, conservation biology, or similar fields
• Passion for natural resource conservation and improving public access to nature, and commitment to developing strong working relationships with landowner, partners, and funders
• Advanced knowledge of conservation easement deeds and their governing laws
• Strong understanding of various types of real estate transactions
• Experience in reading title policies and exceptions or superior rights of the landowner and other interests (preferred)
• Familiarity with Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices
• Experience with property management software Landscape (preferred)
• Proficiency with ArcGIS (preferred), Microsoft-based applications, and GPS technology
• Successful managerial experience overseeing a remote staff
• Excellent and effective verbal and written communication skills
• Exceptionally well-organized and able to manage multiple projects with long and short lead times and complex work-flow processes
• Extraordinary attention to detail 
• Self-motivated and proven ability to work independently while regularly and clearly communicating with others in a collaborative and coordinating manner
• Exceptional interpersonal and team-oriented skills in working with other staff members, directors, landowners, attorneys, and volunteers

Physical Demands:

• Field work conditions may involve difficult terrain and conditions that require frequent walking over uneven terrain during site visits or property assessments
• Frequent travel to various sites, including remote areas up to an hour drive-time
• Frequent remaining in a stationary position, particularly at a computer
• Frequent visual review of electronic and print documents
• Frequent repetitive use of hands/arms; particularly concerning typing, writing, phone
• Continuous communication: verbal and written, in-person, phone and electronic
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the position

Work Environment:

• Office work at 1512 Willow Lawn Drive, Richmond VA 23230 with an expectation to be in the office at least 3-4 days per week depending on field work needs
• Regular field work in a variety of environments and exposure to irregular terrains
• Some weekend and evening work expected

Compensation:

This is a full-time position with an expected salary range of $75-90,000 annually, depending on experience. CRLC provides a benefits package including 10 holidays, 10 days paid time off, $600 per month health insurance stipend, short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, $100 per month phone and computer stipend, and up to 3% Simple IRA retirement match after 1 year.

CRLC is committed to building a team that embraces our diverse community and appreciates the different lived experiences and backgrounds of everyone in the Richmond region.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

To Apply:

Position is open until filled, with priority given to applications received by August 7. Questions may be directed to 202-302-0153.

Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to executivedirector@capitalregionland.org