Job description

LAND PROTECTION SPECIALIST:

With an office in Shelburne Falls, MA, the Franklin Land Trust (FLT) is a Franklin County-focused land trust with a mission to conserve farms, forests, wildlands, and other natural resources significant to the quality of the environment, economy, and rural character of our region.

Since 1987, FLT has protected over 35,000 acres consisting mostly of private conservation with approximately 1,000 acres of public open spaces, trails, wildlands, and community gardens. This is a full-time position that will report to the Director of Land Conservation with oversight by the Executive Director and will work closely with all staff, the Board of Directors, volunteers, donors, and community members.

General Responsibilities: The Land Protection Specialist (LPS) assists with farm and land protection projects in support of the mission of the Franklin Land Trust; provides land protection information and technical assistance to landowners and cooperating organizations in FLT’s region; represents FLT at assigned meetings and events, and in compliance with the LTA Standards & Practices. The Land Protection Specialist works as part of a land conservation and stewardship team facilitated by the Director of Land Conservation (DLC) and Director of Stewardship.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Land Protection

· Identify and evaluate potential farm and forest land protection projects, including field assessment of agricultural and conservation values (scenic, ecological, agricultural, etc.);

· Work with farmers to complete State Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program applications or other funding programs including Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) program at NRCS;

· Work with landowners to complete state approved Conservation Restrictions (CR) projects according to statutory guide-lines;

· Coordinate the work of appraisers, surveyors, engineers, legal counsel, and other professional consultants, and work with state agency staff on specific conservation projects;

· Prepare project reports and narratives, proposals, budgets, and presentations for the FLT Land Committee and Board of Directors;

· Prepare and implement property protection strategies using land protection selection criteria and FLT’s Strategic Organizational and Conservation Plan;

· Represent FLT in collaborative arrangements with conservation organizations, municipalities, and governmental agencies;

· Prepare state conservation restriction (CR) applications for CR approval process;

· Make presentations to landowners, conservation organizations, community groups, municipal boards, and committees of FLT;

· Assist in preparing and implementing fundraising strategies for conservation projects;

· Negotiate donations and bargain sales to facilitate the protection of land;

· Represent FLT at membership events and public events;

· Assist with correspondence, research, proposals, and other writing assignments related to farm and land conservation;

· Assist in programmatic recording keeping, archiving and general database input for land projects.

· Prepare GIS maps for each project or to support land projects related communications.

General Organizational Support:

· Work with DLC on identifying and applying for funding support for FLT’s land conservation program.

· Assist with general FLT fundraising events as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· Excellent written and oral communication skills;

· Detail oriented;

· Ability to organize and set work priorities in a busy office environment and maintain project confidentiality;

· Strong problem-solving skills;

· Self-motivated, willing to accept a challenge and direction and able to handle multiple priorities at a time and work with diverse stakeholders;

· Ability to work collegially and effectively with colleagues and volunteers;

· A facility for communicating with people of all ages and backgrounds;

· A sense of humor is also welcomed.

Education/Experience:

Commitment to the conservation mission of FLT. Bachelors or Masters degree in natural resource management, real estate law, regional planning or related field, with two years related work experience; expertise in conservation methods; demonstrated communication (writing and public speaking), negotiation, leadership, interpersonal, and teamwork skills; computer and cartographic skills and knowledge essential; experience with and knowledge of GIS required; background in natural resources is desirable as is familiarity with western Massachusetts’ landscape and communities. Experience working with state land protection programs desirable. Ability to travel within Massachusetts and to attend evening and weekend meetings and events is essential.

The Franklin Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

FLT offers a competitive benefits package that includes a health stipend, retirement, paid federal holidays, and generous PTO. Salary commensurate with experience. Annual salary increases are based on performance and as annual budgets permit. This is a full-time/non-exempt, position.

Location: Franklin Land Trust Headquarters, Shelburne Falls, MA

Start Date: The position is desired to begin as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled.

TO APPLY:

Please send your resume, letter of interest, and salary requirements to:

info@franklinlandtrust.org

State “Land Protection Specialist” in the subject line.
No phone calls, please. Applications without a letter of interest will not be reviewed.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Shelburne Falls, MA 01370: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: One location

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