Conservation Easement Program Coordinator

USA The Nature Conservancy; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care benefits

Flexible spending accounts

401(k) plan with 8% employer match

Parental leave

Accrued paid time off

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Employee assistance program

Other life and work well-being

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina seeks a Conservation Easement Program Coordinator to oversee monitoring of over 160 easements across 190,000+ acres. You will guide landowners on compliant land management and use GIS/data systems for tracking retained rights, coordinating with SC staff.

You will coordinate with stewardship and conservation teams, recruit ancillary resources, and ensure budgeting and operational support for easement oversight. A valid driver’s license is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing staff or volunteers.
• Relationship-building with partners, media, government officials, and internal scientists.
• Experience completing tasks independently concerning timelines.
• Experience with written, spoken, and graphical English communication.
• Experience using Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
• Experience in training.

Responsibilities

• Assure TNC easements in South Carolina are monitored annually.
• Serve as primary contact to easement landowners and guide compliant land management.
• Identify compliance issues and coordinate internal resolution.
• Report to the South Carolina Business Unit’s Stewardship Program Manager and coordinate with other staff.
• Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis.
• May recruit and supervise contractors and interns to assist workload.
• Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• May work in variable weather, remote locations, and physically demanding conditions.

Skills

Staff management

Volunteer management

Relationship-building

Independent work

English communication

Office software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management or related field

Tools

GIS

Data systems

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together

The Conservation Easement Program Coordinator (CEPC) is an essential position for the stewardship of TNC land interests in South Carolina. This position will focus on the stewardship of over 160 conservation easements covering over 190,000 acres in South Carolina. Covering virtually every habitat type and ecoregion in the state, these acres are critical to achieving our goals for landscape scale conservation in South Carolina. The CEPC will work with easement landowners and other TNC staff to assure conservation easements are in compliance with terms set forth in easement documents. The CEPC will also serve as a subject matter expert to guide landowner actions toward high quality land management that meets habitat goals set forth in the easements. The CEPC will use GIS and data systems to track the use of reserved rights on easement properties, and raise emerging compliance issues within internal TNC teams for their resolution. This position will also assist other stewardship and conservation staff in the management of TNC fee lands, and the transition of conservation properties in and out of TNC ownership. The CEPC will also engage with land conservation teams and partnerships in knowledge sharing and best practice development as time allows.

We’re Looking for You

The Conservation Easement Program Coordinator’s primary function is to assure all TNC easements in South Carolina are monitored annually and remain in compliance with the terms set forth in easement documentation. The position will be the primary contact to easement landowners and provide guidance to assist landowners with easement-compliant land management and use decisions. The CEPC will track and record landowners’ use of retained rights into TNC data systems, and work with the GIS Manager on the housing and acquisition of data and relevant remote-sensing products. As time allows, the CEPC will assist other TNC staff with fee land and preserve management duties. The CEPC will plan and execute the easement monitoring workload directly, and in part by recruiting ancillary resources such as contractors and interns. The CEPC will work with TNC teams in- and outside the South Carolina Business Unit to assure adequate budgeting and operational support for this work.

Responsibilities & Scope

• Assure TNC conservation easements in South Carolina are monitored annually.
• Serve as the primary contact to easement landowners, and as a subject matter expert guiding landowners toward best land management practices compliant with their easements.
• Identify emerging and extant conservation easement compliance issues, and serve as the subject matter expert to internal TNC issue resolution teams.
• The CEPC will report to the South Carolina Business Unit’s Stewardship Program Manager and will work in coordination with other TNC land protection and management staff as needed.
• Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
• May recruit and supervise contractors and interns to assist execution of the workload.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.
• Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers".
• To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page.
• Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing staff or volunteers.
• Relationship-building experience in working closely with a variety of partners, i.e., media, government officials, and internal scientists.
• Experience completing tasks independently concerning timeline(s).
• Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
• Experience in training.

Desired Qualifications

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 3-5 years' experience in natural resource management, similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
• Familiarity with principles of land acquisition or similar asset acquisition.
• Knowledge of ecological land management principles.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.

Salary Information

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $52,000 - $57,000. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, qualifications, specific skills, and experience.

Who We Are

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We're rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor. One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. To quote a popular saying at TNC, "you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people."

What We Bring

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

• health care benefits
• flexible spending accounts
• a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match
• parental leave
• accrued paid time off
• life insurance
• disability coverage
• employee assistance program
• other life and work well-being benefits

Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here. We're proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ. Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law. The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process. Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings! TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [e-mail] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

Our Mission

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Founded in the U.S. through grassroots action in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than a million members and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and over 400 scientists, we impact conservation in 79 countries and territories: 37 by direct conservation impact and 42 through partners. To conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Our vision is a world where the diversity of life thrives, and people act to conserve nature for its own sake and its ability to fulfill our needs and enrich our lives.