Director of Easement Stewardship

~ Founded by a handful of concerned citizens in 1901, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is now one of the country's most effective statewide land conservation organizations. As a non-profit membership organization, the Forest Society is dedicated to protecting the state's most important landscapes while promoting the wise use of its renewable natural resources. ~

Position Overview 

The Forest Society offers rewarding career opportunities for those who want to help save New Hampshire's landscapes and preserve its quality of life.

The Director of Easement Stewardship is responsible for ensuring that the Forest Society fulfills its perpetual stewardship responsibilities for all conservation easements and deed restrictions.

This position includes administering the program, supervising easement stewards, and monitoring easements. The position works directly with private owners of easement protected lands and other Forest Society staff to ensure compliance with easement terms, cultivation of supportive cooperative relationship with land owners, and resolution of potential compliance issues. This position is based in the Conservation Center in Concord.

Contributions/Outcomes

Meet the Forest Society's easement monitoring obligation by responsibly managing the easement stewardship program including its financial and human resources, ensuring compliance with easement terms by land owners, resolving potential or actual easement violations and recording all communications and transactions in accordance with procedures and best practices. Cultivate and reinforce positive land owner relationships, many of whom are major donors to the Forest Society. 

Responsibilities

Program Administration

• Prepare budget and work plan and track finances relative to approved program budget.
• Hire, supervise, mentor and review staff in accordance with Forest Society practices.
• Manage contracting for professional services, including aerial monitoring.
• Perform record keeping and research in support of program activities including annual report on program activities for the Board of Trustees, timesheets, travel reimbursements, etc.
• Represent the Forest Society at functions, meetings and in negotiations.
• Assist with fundraising efforts to raise endowment funds for the perpetual stewardship of the organization's conservation easements. 

Program Supervision 

• Ensure that easement stewardship obligations of the Society are accomplished in a timely and professional manner.
• Maintain monitoring, enforcement and amendment policies and procedures in accordance with accepted practices and the Land Trust Alliance's Accreditation Program.
• Assist stewards and other staff in interpretation of easement language.
• Ensure Executory Interest compliance.
• Ensure that potential or actual easement violations are resolved in accordance with accepted policies and procedures.
• Provide guidance, including personal involvement as necessary, to ensure positive cooperative relationships with land owners and the public.
• Develop the annual Monitor Newsletter to send to all easement land owners.
• Work with the Land Protection Administrator to ensure the Easement Stewardship program follows Accreditation mandates and is preparing for our Renewal in 2018.
• Review draft easement language proposed for each conservation project to ensure that the terms are clear and enforceable.
• Manage information (including Baseline Documentation Reports (BDR), Conservation Connections database and GIS files) consistent with documented procedures and Land Trust Accreditation guidelines. 

Easement Monitoring 

• Meet annual monitoring obligation by reviewing and analyzing aerial imagery of conservation easement properties.
• Perform periodic ground monitoring visits including meeting with land owners and land managers and walking properties.
• View ongoing activities on the ground to ensure compliance with easement terms. 

Land Owner Relations 

• Build relationships with land owners through periodic meetings and phone calls discussing past activities, future plans and answering questions.
• Provide guidance to land owners on management activities.
• Communicate with Foresters and land managers working on easement lands. 

Compliance and Enforcement 

• Resolve potential and actual violations and disagreements with land owners effectively and efficiently.
• Ensure all stewards are interpreting and enforcing easements consistently.
• Negotiate resolutions with intransigent landowners and third parties.
• Follow accepted procedures in addressing potential violations.
• Communicate with other staff, legal counsel and experts to assess the situation and recommend courses of action. 

Amendments and Legal Proceedings 

• Complete amendments and additions to conservation easements in cooperation with other Forest Society staff, legal counsel, and the Land Protection Committee.
• Represent the organization with legal matters related to easement violations. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree or higher in appropriate field related to conservation or natural resources and 5 to 7 years' experience in land conservation, specifically with conservation easements.
• Skilled in negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Willingness to be the lead negotiator on easement violations.
• Experience in program administration including but not limited to budgeting and employee supervision.
• Experience in legal proceedings.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people of various backgrounds and interests.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Familiarity with adhering to set procedures in support of potential legal challenges.
• Facility with software related to word processing, spread sheets, relational data bases.
• Functional knowledge of GIS mapping and GPS data collection.
• Good physical condition- able to travel extended distances over rough terrain.
• Ability to navigate in the forest with map and compass.
• Willingness to be in the forest alone, away from roads and houses.
• Valid NH driver's license, proof of insurance and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Positive attitude and willingness to accept a challenge.
• Dedication to the conservation mission of the organization. 

Working Conditions 

• The position includes a combination of office work, field work and travel.
• Field work may be in inclement weather on occasion. Possible tele-communing on a limited basis.
• Environmentally sustainable office building within walking distance of wooded trails. 

To Apply

Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to email a resume and cover letter by May 23, 2014 to: Brian Hotz, Vice President for Land Conservation. Please reference where you saw our posting.

~ The Forest Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer ~