Executive Director

The American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT) is a local land trust organization. ACLT's mission is to preserve and conserve the natural and cultural resources of the Parkers Creek and Governors Run Watersheds for the benefit of this and future generations; provide environmentally sustainable public access to managed properties for educational, scientific, recreational, charitable and cultural purposes; and promote land conservation and preservation throughout Southern Maryland.

Position Description

The American Chestnut Land Trust is looking for a full-time strategic, relationship-driven executive director with experience in leadership and conservation and a deep passion for preserving the environment for future generations. The executive director will oversee and provide strategic direction to all aspects of ACLT’s operations, including land conservation initiatives, land management, financial management, fundraising and community outreach.

The Executive Director is responsible for the management of all aspects of ACLT consistent with the mission, goals, objectives, and policies established by the Board of Directors (Board). The Executive Director is employed by the Board and is directly accountable to the Board President.

The ED will provide leadership and supervision of all staff as well as work closely with local government, partners, volunteers, donors, grantors and ACLT’s committees. Together with the board, the ED develops the organization’s strategic plan and then has lead responsibility for executing and reporting on the plan.

Responsibilities

The Executive Director will:

General: 

• Execute ACLT policies and programs. Provide leadership and supervision to all staff to carry out the direction of the Board in executing day-to-day operations within the annual budget and in accordance with Land Trust Alliance recommended standards and practices and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Coordinate the development and implementation of the Five-Year Strategic Plan and any other annual program plans consistent with the guidance of the Board, and facilitate the periodic revision of these plans.
• Advertise, interview, and hire staff. As appropriate, seek the input of the President, Board members, or committee chairs in the selection process. Ensure training, administration of pay and benefits, and timely performance evaluation.
• Assist the Board President, as needed, including the planning and scheduling of Board meetings, new Board member orientation, and training and development of new Board members and committee chairs. Assist the committee chairs, as needed, within their areas of responsibility.
• Report on ACLT's progress and status at Board meetings. Identify any areas of concern and propose options for resolution.
• Serve as a key ambassador to the Calvert County community, promoting ACLT’s mission, image, and community service to the public. This includes serving jointly with the Board President as the key ACLT spokesperson in the reporting of ACLT's activities, accomplishments, and needs to appropriate organizations and to the public.
• Serve as a representative of ACLT and a liaison between ACLT and state and local governmental agencies, potential funding organizations, and other organizations with related missions.
• Administer all ACLT contracts. Provide, or ensure that staff provides contract oversight and performance evaluation.
• Ensure ACLT meets all Land Trust Alliance Accreditation Commission standards and practices. Work with staff and Board members to complete the application for re-accreditation on a timely basis.

Land Acquisition and Preservation: 

• Assist the Board and the Land Acquisition and Preservation Committee in developing policies; identifying properties; establishing general priorities for fee simple purchase, easement acquisition, or ACLT management; and contacting owners within target areas, as appropriate.
• Develop and coordinate ACLT’s strategy for each parcel identified for acquisition or other means of preservation. Arrange for title searches, boundary surveys, appraisals, forest evaluations, and other pre-acquisition requirements. Coordinate with ACLT’s legal counsel to develop legal documents in accordance with Board-approved conditions, and ensure that all post-acquisition matters are completed, such as recordation in the land records, title insurance, and appropriate real property tax status.
• Represent ACLT in partnership activities such as the Rural Legacy program, County Comprehensive Plan updates, and joint programs with other conservation groups, or provide guidance and assistance to Board members, other volunteers, or staff who may be taking a lead role to represent ACLT in these activities or with these groups.
• Advise on projects related to the Southern Maryland Conservation Alliance, Watershed Friends groups, and other regional conservation efforts.

Land Management: 

• Support the ACLT Board, Land Management staff, and the Land Management Committee in developing policies and identifying strategies to address land management issues. Issues, policies, and actions will be discussed with the Committee, which will resolve them or provide recommendations to the Board.
• Work with Land Management staff to ensure that ACLT completes all stewardship requirements needed to maintain accreditation through the Land Trust Alliance.
• Work in coordination with the Board, Land Management staff, and the Land Management Committee to achieve ACLT’s land management goals, following the actions listed in the Five-Year Plan.
• Assist the Board and ACLT staff with efforts to connect lands and communities throughout the region with hiking, biking, and paddling trails.
• Oversee the activities of the Southern Maryland Active Recreation and Transport Alliance.
• Working in conjunction with Land Management staff and the Land Management Committee, administer agricultural leases and agreements for land access or management.

Outreach and Membership: 

• Assist the ACLT Board, the Community Relations Manager, and the Outreach and Membership Committee in identifying ways to enhance outreach and membership opportunities, with particular emphasis on developing and maintaining a diverse population of members, staff, and volunteers.
• In coordination with the Community Relations Manager and the Outreach and Membership Committee, recommend and execute strategies for membership recruitment and retention. Ensure that membership data is recorded and periodically reported to assist the Committee and the Board in their efforts to ensure that membership funding is adequate to meet budget targets.
• Ensure that the Community Relations Manager is promoting awareness of ACLT events, facilities, educational opportunities, and other noteworthy activities in local, regional, and national electronic and print media, including our website, local newspapers, brochures, signage, and other related media.
• Ensure that the newsletter is published quarterly and that production is coordinated with volunteer newsletter contributors and editors. Write an Executive Director’s column for each edition of the newsletter.

Donor Relations: 

• Develop and implement administrative policies and procedures that ensure all office functions run smoothly and in accordance with GAAP, Land Trust Alliance standards and practices, and applicable law.
• Assist the ACLT Board, the Office and Donor Relations Coordinator, and the Donor Relations Committee in the development of fundraising strategies to achieve budgetary goals and in the execution of those fundraising strategies from sources including membership support, grants, and ACLT’s Endowment Funds.
• Negotiate sales of Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) within guidelines set by the Board and ensure that all TDR income is collected when due.
• Ensure that all requirements for participation in appropriate workplace giving campaigns, as determined by the Board, are satisfied.

Budget and Finance: 

• Assist the Board, the Treasurer, and the Budget and Finance Committee in the preparation of the annual budget and in developing policies and procedures relating to ACLT’s investments.
• Coordinate with ACLT’s independent auditor, ACLT’s independent contract accountant, and ACLT’s Treasurer and Office and Donor Relations Coordinator to ensure that ACLT’s operations are in accordance with GAAPs.
• Ensure that income in all categories is collected when due and monitor this income to determine its adequacy to meet budget projections. Work with the Land Manager, Community Relations Manager, and Treasurer to monitor income and expenses to ensure that spending is consistent with the budget.

Science: The Executive Director will:

• Support the Regional Conservation Partnership Coordinator and the Land Management staff in working with Science Committee members and other volunteers to carry out scientific data collection within Southern Maryland.

Facilities:

• Work with the Facilities Committee to maintain and repair buildings as needed. Buildings will include the ACLT office, 2 ACLT rental houses, barns, sheds, and other outbuildings.

Community Heritage:

• Support the Community Heritage Committee in its work to make ACLT a more inclusive and welcoming place for all and help develop ways to diversify ACLT’s membership and volunteer base.