Land Protection Manager

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

The Adirondack Land Trust (ALT) protects the lands and waters that best contribute to the quality of life of our Adirondack communities as well as the region’s wild and rural character.  We work with partners to fulfill the promise of the Adirondack Park as a place of resilient lands, waters and communities.

Land trusts harness three fundamental values: private initiative, community cooperation and a deep connection to the land.  The Adirondack Land Trust has protected over 28,000 acres since our founding in 1984.  We currently oversee 16,200 acres under conservation easement across 78 ownerships, and own and manage over 1,200 acres of lands in fee.  In March of 2019, ALT became accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission which was renewed in 2024.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Adirondack Land Trust seeks a detail-oriented, creative, and experienced professional to lead our land protection work. ALT’s projects range in size and complexity and often involve coordinating with public and private partners and funders. The Land Protection Manager will be principally responsible for overseeing the majority of our fee-simple and conservation easement transactions from inception to closing. This position will work closely with our conservation team to identify and evaluate projects and determine the best conservation outcome for each property. They will lead our landowner engagement efforts, represent ALT to key constituencies, help identify funding sources and build collaborative partnerships. In addition, as an organization that prioritizes collaboration and individual initiative, this individual will participate in varying degrees with ALT’s other departments and initiatives as their skills, time and interests allow.

This position offers a tremendous opportunity for an entrepreneurial and results-oriented conservation professional to lead the next generation of landmark Adirondack partnerships and projects.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Land Protection Project Development

The Land Protection Manager will implement ALT’s strategic land conservation objectives through careful prioritization, landowner outreach and responsive communications. In consultation with the conservation team, they will determine the optimal conservation outcomes for our projects requiring an ability to understand the project’s cultural and community context, its specific conservation values and the immediate stewardship needs. They will maintain a strong relationship with the Land Protection Committee of the Board and prepare project summaries and budgets for their review. They will be responsible for coordinating with relevant local partners, governmental agencies and stakeholders to ensure project success.

Transaction Management

In coordination with the Conservation Program Director and legal counsel, the Land Protection Manager will lead all aspects of fee simple and conservation easement projects including contract negotiation and easement drafting. The candidate must be skilled in overseeing and evaluating real estate appraisals, Phase I environmental investigations, property surveys and legal descriptions, title investigations and other real estate due diligence. Work includes managing project-related records in compliance with ALT’s policies and Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices.

Partner and Community Relations

This individual will represent ALT’s vision and conservation objectives in professional gatherings, community meetings and other forums. They will also be keen listeners and observers of the conservation landscape for new opportunities for collaboration where priorities align.

Conservation Program Support

The Land Protection Manager will work with the Conservation Program Director and the conservation team to develop annual goals, individual work plans and track their progress through the year. They will assist in identifying funding sources as well as writing grant proposals and status reports.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A passion for conservation and for the Adirondack region
• Excellent listening and communication skills to engage effectively with new and existing partners including private landowners, foresters, farmers, government agencies and community leaders
• A proven track record of developing, negotiating, and managing fee simple and conservation easement acquisition projects
• Experience in managing and interpreting the various elements of real estate transactions – such as appraisals, title review, land surveys, environmental assessments, and land use permitting
• Experience in understanding and integrating sociocultural factors into project selection, design and disposition
• A record of building long-term partnerships to develop successful projects
• Experience securing funds from public and private sources for land and conservation easement acquisitions and adhering to funding requirements and grant reporting
• Experience working effectively both unsupervised and with teams
• Strong commitment to high professional standards and personal accountability
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional training in natural resource management, conservation real estate, planning, law and/or a related field
• Ability to travel throughout northern New York and occasionally within/outside of New York State, including some evening and weekend work
• Ability to navigate in the field over rough terrain and in inclement weather
• Proficiency with ArcGIS Online and using project management software and databases (we use Landscape)

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

• Reports to:  Conservation Program Director
• Supervises:  None
• Salary:         $68,000 – Full-time
• Location:    Keene, NY in the heart of the beautiful High Peaks Region of the Adirondacks
• Benefits:     Paid vacation, personal and sick leave, and holidays; 8% matching contribution to
• • 403(b) retirement plan; life, health, vision and dental insurance.

HOW TO APPLY

Please click "Apply" below to email resume and cover letter.

By mail:        Adirondack Land Trust
                       Attn: Joe Scrimenti
                       PO Box 130
                       Keene, NY 12942

This position will remain open until it is filled.

ORGANIZATIONAL STATEMENT

Data has shown that some people do not apply for a job because they don’t feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed. Our job descriptions are general overviews, not a mandatory comprehensive list. As a growing organization, we value and appreciate a diverse set of skills and candidates eager and willing to grow and learn with our organization. If you feel passionate about our efforts and believe that you have the skills to succeed in this role, we want to hear from YOU.

We strive for a collegial environment of people who generate innovative ideas and work hard to implement them. We value diversity, equity and inclusion as essential to all aspects of conservation work and to ensuring that the Adirondack Park welcomes and provides benefits for all people. We also understand the value of work/life balance.

ALT affirms its commitment to equal employment opportunity for all individuals. Decisions about recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, compensation, benefits, and all similar employment matters are made in compliance with all federal, state and local laws and without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ethnic or national origin, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status, military status or any other classification protected by federal or state law. Any discrimination in the workplace against persons protected by equal employment opportunity laws is illegal and against policy.