Land Preservation Director

Beaufort County South Carolina; Beaufort (SC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Beaufort County Council seeks a Land Preservation Manager to oversee the County's developed and undeveloped passive park properties and to provide environmental education opportunities for residents and visitors.

The role directs the Land Preservation Department, balancing long‑term planning with daily operations, and building trust with community members and partner agencies.

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor’s degree in science or liberal arts; or a Master’s Degree in Science or Liberal Arts.
• Over four years and up to eight years of related experience.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.

Responsibilities

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff and completes performance appraisals.
• Coordinates, assigns and reviews work, sets schedules, and ensures quality standards.
• Balances long-term planning with day-to-day operational oversight.
• Builds and sustains relationships with stakeholders through open communication.
• Engages with community members, government agencies, chambers of commerce and partner agencies to build trust.
• Manages the budget and operations of the Land Preservation department.
• Coordinates with County departments, contractors and vendors.
• Reviews and approves permit applications.

Skills

Staff supervision

Budget management

Stakeholder relations

Permitting

Cross-department coordination

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree

Job description

The purpose of this position is to manage and maintain the County's developed and undeveloped passive park properties, provide environmental education opportunities to residents and visitors of Beaufort County, and directs the Land Preservation Department.

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
• Coordinates, assigns and reviews work and establishes work schedules; maintains standards; monitors status of work in progress; inspects completed work assignments; answers questions; gives advice and direction as needed.
• Effectively balances long-term planning with operational oversight.
• Builds and sustains key stakeholder relationships through open and transparent communication.
• Engages with community members, government agencies, chambers of commerce and other partner agencies to build trust and support for the department’s operations and initiatives.
• Manages the budget and operations of the Land Preservation department.
• Coordinates with other County departments, contractors and vendors.
• Reviews and approves permit application requests.
• Performs related work as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires Bachelor’s degree in science or liberal arts such as chemistry, geology, biology, mathematics, physics or the humanities; or a Master’s Degree in Science or Liberal Arts.
• Over four years and up to and including eight years of related experience.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.

All applicants tentatively selected for a position with Beaufort County Council will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for the illegal use of drugs and to a background check prior to appointment. Employment is contingent upon clearing both the drug screening and background investigation.