POSITION SUMMARY: PLT is seeking a highly-motivated, detail-oriented, and personable Conservation Projects Manager to serve an essential position on our growing team.

The Conservation Projects Manager serves as a key team member responsible for leading all land protection projects that advance PLT’s mission to connect communities with the lands we love through the conservation of open spaces, working agricultural lands and forests, Palouse prairie, wildlands, waterways, and wildlife habitat corridors.

This role requires strong project management skills, with the ability to effectively manage and complete multiple conservation projects simultaneously. Excellent organizational and time management abilities are essential to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and ensure the successful execution of complex land conservation transactions while maintaining high standards of detail and quality throughout each project.

The position also demands excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as developing and maintaining positive, professional relationships with people from diverse backgrounds is crucial. All positions at Palouse Land Trust are deeply engaged in the organization’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, actively participating in efforts to integrate these values into PLT’s daily operations and governance.

The Conservation Projects Manager must uphold a personal commitment to the voluntary nature of land conservation and to finding conservation solutions that work for private landowners. In addition to leading activities related to fee title and conservation easement acquisitions, this position also oversees the stewardship and monitoring of conservation easements, ensuring that all stewardship obligations are met with integrity and quality.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Initiate, advance, and complete land conservation projects (60%)

• Identify, evaluate, and pursue priority land conservation projects to achieve PLT’s land conservation mission.
• Serve as the main point of contact and project lead, responding to inquiries, educating and sharing resources with landowners, and screening projects for consideration. Communicate consistently regarding conservation options, costs, and basic financial implications.
• Cultivate relationships and communicate in a manner that adheres to PLT’s culture of relationship-forward tactics and respect for the property rights of landowners.
• Adhere to policies, procedures and organizational operating guidelines to maintain accreditation and support and advance professional excellence in voluntary private land conservation.
• Track and manage complex due diligence steps to ensure thorough, timely and ethical completion of conservation projects. This includes screening and review of legal descriptions, appraisals, environmental site assessments, title reports, water rights, cultural resources, mineral rights and any other actions required to complete land transactions.
• Prepare all baseline documentation reports for conservation projects. This includes evaluating site features and conditions, current land uses, and conservation values related to project selection criteria.
• Utilize spatial mapping software to explain and define conservation values and project plans.
• Write real estate and legal contracts (such as conservation easements, options, and purchase and sale agreements) and consult with legal counsel.
• Develop and foster meaningful, trust-based relationships with private landowners, community partners, agencies, and other conservation-focused organizations to advance PLT’s mission through collaboration and shared goals.
• Coordinate and support the PLT Board of Directors and Lands Committee, including drafting agendas, preparing materials for meetings, and assisting with follow-up tasks.
• Seek out land acquisition funding opportunities and work with the team to ensure public and private funds are raised to meet project goals. Apply for and manage grants related to conservation projects that leverage funding with keen attention to perpetual stewardship obligations (includes grant research, writing, presentations, grant compliance, and grant reporting and billing).
• Create and implement project budgets, negotiate contracts with vendors and contractors, and coordinate with team for billing and invoicing.
• Maintain excellent and carefully organized transaction records and file management.

Monitoring and easement stewardship (30%)

• Build long-term, trust-based relationships with easement landowners by serving as a reliable, responsive resource on stewardship best practices, fostering year-round connections that ensure landowners feel supported in their stewardship role.
• Assume primary responsibility for hiring and supervising a seasonal stewardship intern, supporting and encouraging their learning, problem-solving and professional development.
• Maintain thorough, organized and detailed project records that are accurately filed for all properties under conservation. Documentation must adhere to Land Trust Accreditation requirements. Provide assistance in accreditation renewal.
• Coordinate and conduct annual monitoring visits on all conservation properties to ensure accordance with the terms of the conservation agreement or management plan.
• Collect detailed field data using a portable handheld and spatial applications. Prepare reports and maps using appropriate tools.
• Be a responsive resource for conservation easement landowners, providing recommendations on stewardship best management practices, answering technical questions, and linking them with resources to support land stewardship.
• Respond to requests for approvals and amendments from landowners.
• Interpret legal and technical documents (conservation easements, baseline documentation reports, and partner agreements) to assess compliance with easement terms.
• Work closely with the Executive Director and legal counsel to resolve any violations.

Administrative support (10%)

• Support a collaborative work environment by contributing to team-wide initiatives, cross-functional projects, and organizational events, embracing our commitment to relationship-oriented work and shared success.
• Participate in weekly team meetings and bi-monthly Lands Committee meetings to keep colleagues apprised of advancing projects and funding strategies.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to further technical expertise and broaden capacity and maintain current knowledge regarding the legal, financial, and conservation implications of tools we use. Meetings often require overnight stays.
• Assist Executive Director with Board and Committee responsibilities, including long-range planning and donor development.
• Support the organization’s fundraising and operations work and facilitate partnerships that contribute to community conservation efforts.
• Work with PLT staff to develop outreach materials and publicity related to our conservation project work. Provide content to newsletters and other publications as requested.
• Participate and assist with events and activities, including donor meetings and fundraising events.
• Provide organizational support as requested by Executive Director.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• A strong values-based commitment to conservation and the mission of Palouse Land Trust.
• Three or more years of professional experience clearly demonstrating ability to manage complex project tasks, preferably in the area of private land conservation, natural resources or other applicable field.
• A team-oriented mindset and a demonstrated ability to cultivate and maintain productive, positive relationships with a wide range of partners, including landowners, community members, and conservation organizations.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to achieve shared conservation goals, demonstrating a balance of initiative, collaboration, and strategic thinking in advancing conservation projects.
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills and a can-do attitude.
• Ability to take initiative and comfortable with managing multiple and complex tasks and prioritize workload to meet deadlines while remaining responsive to new project inquiries.
• Capacity to work independently and work effectively as part of a team.
• Proficiency with office software including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Willingness to learn other software and cloud-based systems as required.
• Physical ability to lift up to 35 pounds and perform field work walking on steep and rough terrain in all-weather conditions under exposure to discomforts such as seasonal outdoor allergens and pests.
• Comfort and willingness to travel to rural areas that may lack cell phone coverage.
• Valid, insurable driver’s license and reliable personal vehicle (manual-transmission vehicle provided; mileage reimbursement for personal vehicle use provided).
• Possess high standards for adherence to organization policies related to conflict of interest, confidentiality and privacy, record-keeping, and shared values around diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Ability and willingness to work some non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends.     

PREFERRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:  Preference will be given to candidates with:

• Knowledge of the practices, principles, and techniques of private land conservation.
• Experience with a land trust or other non-profit organization related to land conservation.
• Knowledge of conservation easements and other real property interests.
• Knowledge of Inland Pacific Northwest natural resource and rural community values and issues.
• Knowledge of funding sources for agricultural and forest protection programs, particularly through state and federal agencies.

BENEFITS PACKAGE INCLUDES: Paid vacation, holiday and personal leave with employer-sponsored medical plan and matching retirement contributions (up to 3%).