The Lancaster Conservancy currently has the following openings:
Land Protection Coordinator
Direct Supervisor: SVP Land Protection & General Counsel
Status: Full-time, non-exempt
Who We Are & What We Do
The Lancaster Conservancy’s mission is to provide wild and forested lands and clean waterways for our community, forever. The Conservancy has been preserving land in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania since 1969 and more recently along the Susquehanna River corridor in York County, Pennsylvania as well. As more land is lost each year to development, it’s our mission to protect and maintain carefully selected habitat in its natural state as a balance to our growth. The Conservancy currently owns 47 nature preserves (encompassing 6,681 acres) and holds 71 conservation easements (encompassing an additional 888 acres), with more added each year. Our preserves are managed to create habitat for animals, to protect plants and trees, and to provide public access to nature. Through educational programs, volunteer opportunities, and partnership, the Conservancy engages and activates community members of all ages to protect and restore our natural lands!
Position Description
The successful Land Protection Coordinator candidate is a self-motivated, critical thinker with strong organizational skills, adept at multi-tasking in a high volume fast paced environment. This position requires a collaborative individual with exceptional time management skills to support all land protection projects start to finish. As part of these responsibilities the successful applicant will manage the updating and organization of the Conservancy’s conservation records system for land protection and facilitate the transfer of data from land protection to stewardship. The Land Protection Coordinator will work with the Senior Vice President of Land Protection & General Counsel to facilitate all land protection projects, and the centralized conservation record-keeping system to improve efficiency in the management of conservation projects from beginning to end. This includes paper files and digital files. For the right candidate this position has opportunities for advancement.
Principal Responsibilities
- Provide daily support to and work in partnership with the Senior Vice President of Land Protection/General Counsel on all land protection projects from start to finish, including but not limited to, meetings and correspondence with landowners, realtors, funders, and municipalities; contract negotiations; managing and coordinating consultants to complete due diligence requirements; following Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices; preparing legal filings and exhibits; assisting in addressing tax and contract issues and supporting the tax exemption hearing process; and assist in zoning and/or subdivision applications and hearings. Training for proofreading legal documents and reviews will be provided as needed.
- Manage records to ensure LTA Standards and Practices are met for selecting conservation projects, communications, stewardship funding and working with stewardship to address requirements on pending acquisitions, successful completion of acquisitions, and record-keeping.
- Efficiently track all steps in a variety of ongoing land-acquisition projects, from inquiry to closing, to management; e.g., due diligence steps include but are not limited to title investigations, securing Opinions of Value and Appraisals, surveys, Phase 1 ESAs, preparing and assembling zoning exhibits in concert with General Counsel, working with funders, managing acquisition grants and preparing supporting documents, scheduling for grantor/funder meetings, scheduling for all land protection related meetings, storing files, supporting General Counsel in preparation of tax exemption hearing exhibits, applications, and testimony, and other required state or local legal compliance filings.
- Assist with writing and managing public and private grants as needed.
- Manage Land Protection Committee meetings and activities. Preparation of all advance notices, scheduling, and minutes.
- Other duties as assigned, including general administrative support for the organization.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, land management, municipal planning, or a related field, or 5 years equivalent work experience required. Individuals with natural resource and/or legal experience and a paralegal studies certificate in addition to a Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Experience with GIS and mapping a plus.
- Ability to think critically, working independently and in a collaborative team environment.
- Attention to detail and problem solving.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Ability to move quickly in a fast-paced environment.
- Passion for the environment and land conservation.
- Familiarity with Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices.
- Must be flexible with schedule and willing to work evenings and weekends as needed.
- Must be able to occasionally move up to 20 pounds, traverse uneven ground up to 2 miles, and work outdoors in exposed conditions.
- Must possess and maintain a current valid driver’s license.
- Must provide proof of compliance with PA child abuse background checks.
This is a full-time, non-exempt position with competitive pay and benefits. Office is located in Lancaster, PA, with occasional field visits distributed across Lancaster and York Counties. Personal vehicle use is reimbursable.
To Apply:
To apply, send resume, cover letter, and writing sample by end of day Monday, February 15, 2021 to Beth Hacker at conserve@lancasterconservancy.org.