Virginia Pinelands Land Protection Manager - The Nature Conservancy

Wakefield, Virginia, USA

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit  Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

The Virginia Pinelands Program (Program) is located in the rural southeastern coastal plain of Virginia and encompasses the northern range of the longleaf pine ecosystem, recognized as one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in North America. Our work is focused on restoring fire-maintained pine savanna habitat to contribute to TNC’s nine-state conservation goals for the longleaf pine system. Other TNC priority systems in the region include floodplain forests situated along the region’s river corridors and peatland forests of the Great Dismal Swamp. All project work is highly collaborative with public agency partners. TNC and partners have protected 160,000 acres in the region and are actively acquiring lands to expand the land base for fire management. TNC’s anchor property, 4,000-acre Piney Grove Preserve, serves as a regional hub for collaborative conservation. The Virginia Pinelands Program is within an hour’s drive of the City of Richmond’s vibrant festival, food, brewery, museum, and music culture.

The Virginia Pinelands Land Protection Manager leads and coordinates efforts toward accomplishment of the Program’s protection goals by using the full range of protection tools, including gift, easement, purchase, lease registry, conservation brokerage and cooperative projects with federal, state, and local government, conservation organizations and other partners as appropriate.

The Virginia Pinelands Land Protection Manager (Manager) works closely with corporations, private landowners and conservation partners to secure conservation easements, fee acquisitions, and other interests in land using both traditional and innovative land conservation tools in southeast Virginia. The Manager implements and achieves the Conservancy’s priorities by overseeing and representing the Conservancy in relationships and negotiations with government agencies such as the Virginia’s Departments of Conservation and Recreation, Wildlife Resources, and Forestry; as well as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, and with local partners. They secure public and private funds for land protection and manage grants. They research land ownership information for tracts identified as potential acquisition projects and conduct negotiations with landowners to complete conservation transactions. They may assist with the sale or transfer of non-strategic land holdings across Virginia as needed. The Manager works with the Virginia Pinelands Program Director, conservation planning, and science staff to prioritize properties for protection. They respond to protection inquiries, screen potential protection projects, and prepare internal project packages as appropriate. The Manager may interact with interns and volunteers.

 

• Geographic size and scope are that of a business unit or larger. 
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently and on short notice, sometimes on weekends.
• Negotiate real estate transactions, which can bind the Conservancy legally and financially.
• Support public and private fundraising.
• Plan and direct work on protection projects. 
• Maintain records related to land transactions.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.  

• BA/BS degree in natural resources management, conservation, business, law or another related field of study and 3 years of related work experience in conservation, real estate, fundraising or other related experience.
• Experience in writing grant proposals or technical documents.
• Experience in managing multiple projects and timelines.
• Experience with real estate appraisals and the appraisal process.
• Experience negotiating complex agreements.                     
• Experience developing partnerships (partners, community, government). 
• GIS, Microsoft Office, and on-line database experience.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated. 
• 3 to 5 years of related work experience in conservation, real estate, fundraising or other related experience. 
• Knowledge of current trends and strategies in conservation and land protection.
• Ability to draft, review, and edit documents required for real estate sales, purchases, lease, conservation easements, and other documents involved in such transactions.
• Experience in grant writing and knowledge of land conservation grant programs at state and federal level.
• Experience in document research (deeds, wills, surveys, maps).
• Experience using Excel to develop discounted cash flow analyses to value real estate assets.
• Experience in contract negotiations and ability to bring negotiations to closure.
• Knowledge and experience with culture of rural communities.
• Politically savvy and experienced in partnership development (partners, community, government). 

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 https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

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.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $80,000 – 90,000 for annual base salary. 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, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

To apply for job ID 55719, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on November 17, 2024.

 Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character 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 applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.