Land Conservation Program Director – Southern Maryland RC&D Board, Inc.

ACCEPTING RESUMES THROUGH JUNE 10, 2024

SALARY RANGE:                   $32.89-$36.22/HOUR  (commensurate with education and experience)

POSITION TYPE:                    PART TIME EMPLOYMENT

OFFICE LOCATION:             LEONARDTOWN, MARYLAND (OR HYBRID)

COVERAGE REGION:          SOUTHERN MARYLAND

START DATE:                           IMMEDIATELY

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Director plays an integral role in Southern Maryland Resource Conservation and Development’s (RC&D) land conservation program. The goal of this program is to work with willing landowners and partners, using a variety of conservation tools, to permanently protect woodlands, rivers and streams, natural and scenic areas, farmland, and wildlife habitat. This is a part-time position that reports to the RC&D Executive Director.

The Program Director will help the Executive Director achieve each of the partners’ visions, goals, related strategies, and initiatives associated with their land conservation programs. A significant portion of the work of the Program Director will be based in St. Mary’s County, MD, but may also include travel around the southern Maryland region (hybrid work is also an option).

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Conservation Easement Stewardship

• Ensure that all conservation easements are upheld by accomplishing the following tasks:
  • Supervise and support the Land Conservation Program Manager with stewardship and monitoring of conservation easements, maintaining records in compliance with Land Trust Alliance (LTA) Standards and Practices and RC&D Policies and Procedures.
  • Address landowner questions, requests, or violations in accordance with LTA, RC&D, and/or other relevant policies.
  • Conduct enforcement activities.
  • Complete reports for the Executive Director, RC&D Board of Directors, external stakeholders and/or partners as required.
• Implement LTA Standards and Practices.
• Review and update policies and procedures as necessary.

Promote and Expand Land Conservation

• Review agreements with funding partners.
• Document and guide landowners through conservation easement transactions.
• Negotiate terms of conservation easements with interested landowners, draft Deeds of Conservation Easement in conjunction with the partners and landowners, conduct due diligence, including site visits and environmental assessments, and close easement transactions.
• Maintain conservation easement files for each property.
• Maintain current copies of all agreements, policies, standards, etc. affecting RC&D’s land conservation program.
• Communicate regularly with and prepare reports as required by partners.
• Prepare and submit DNR’s annual Rural Legacy grant application, and other grant applications.
• Prepare an annual budget; track expenses and grant funding.

Community Outreach and Education

• Establish and develop strong relationships with community partners and landowners, attending meetings and events as necessary.
• Assist in program-wide outreach initiatives to educate landowners and their professional advisors about available conservation and restoration programs.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with easement landowners and their neighbors.
• Promote climate resiliency and environmental sustainability education among internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent RC&D among land conservation and restoration groups.
• Advocate for land conservation policies and practices that benefit Southern Maryland.
• Maintain working knowledge of land conservation and restoration trends, including relevant policy changes.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform additional work assigned by the Executive Director.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree or higher in law, planning, biology, natural resources, environmental science, or a related field, OR must have a combination of education and experience equivalent to a 4-year degree.

• Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

In addition, the following are expected of applicants:

• Must have U.S. citizenship.
• General office and computer skills are required, including use of MS Office program suite.
  • Working knowledge of ArcGIS, Landscape/Lens, or other monitoring/mapping software preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing a dynamic portfolio of projects within defined quality assurance policies and procedures.
• A strong track record of collaboration and partnership with varying stakeholders in development of successful conservation projects.
• Strong speaking, writing, and listening skills; comfortable speaking in front of groups.
• Ability to interact with individuals from different backgrounds, ages, and socio-economic levels in a manner that positively reflects the values of RC&D.
• Ability to work independently while effectively managing multiple priorities, projects, and tasks.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. Independent travel around the Southern Maryland region is common, overnight travel is rare and limited primarily to conferences and professional development opportunities.
• Navigating difficult terrain and environmental conditions may be required.

Preferred experience:

• Progressive responsibility within a land trust stewardship program; familiarity with land trust standards and practices; and/or real estate work or real property legal knowledge.
• Experience with fundraising.
• Experience working in a nonprofit organization.
• Experience working with landowners, board members, major donors, volunteers, and other conservation organizations.

The Southern Maryland RC&D is an equal opportunity employer. All programs and services of the Southern Maryland RC&D Board are offered on a non-discriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital or family status, disability or political belief.