Land Protection Specialist (Chapel Hill, NC or REMOTE)

TITLE: Land Protection Specialist

LINE OF BUSINESS/DIVISION: Working Forest Fund®

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Conservation Director

NUMBER OF POSITIONS REPORTING TO THIS POSITION: 0

LOCATION: Chapel Hill, NC preferred

POSITION SUMMARY

The Land Protection Specialist is part of the Conservation and Outsale department within the Working Forest Fund (WFF®) team which focuses its efforts on developing and implementing conservation strategies across the Working Forest Fund's portfolio and managing the ultimate disposition of lands in coordination with regional TCF conservation acquisition staff to achieve desired conservation and financial outcomes. Duties of the Land Protection Specialist include, but are not limited to: developing and implementing conservation strategies on a growing base of timberlands, coordinating related real estate due diligence, securing the necessary conservation capital, and developing working forest conservation easements. All activities will maintain and enhance neighbor, partner, donor and stakeholder relationships. Additionally, the Land Protection Specialist serves as a key resource for the WFF ® team and regional conservation acquisition staff to develop and expand processes for the disposition of easement encumbered properties and non-conservation lands, which may include tracking the current trends in the timberland real estate market, developing and expanding the WFF team's network of potential conservation-focused timberland buyers and brokers, and ensuring that marketability risks are minimized throughout WFF® project implementation.

Must have received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination by date of hire to be considered. Proof of vaccination required.

RESPONSIBLITIES & SCOPE

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work with regional Conservation Acquisition staff, Conservation Director and Sr. Land Protection Specialist to develop and implement both conservation and final disposition strategies for properties within WFF®'s portfolio including evaluation of restoration opportunities and resolution of title issues (e.g., access, right of ways, boundary encroachments);
• Work with appropriate development, government relations, business partnership, marketing and communications, and conservation acquisition staff to secure the necessary conservation funding. This may include the writing and management of grants, development of associated outreach materials, and meeting with potential funders;
• Coordinate real estate transactions to ensure that pertinent due diligence (e.g., Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, natural resource inventories, surveys, title work, appraisals, baseline documentation reports) is completed in an efficient and timely manner that conforms with Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices, TCF Real Estate policies and meets the requirements set forth by partner agencies and funders;
• Assist the Conservation Director and Sr. Land Protection Specialist in coordination with the Forest Operations and Carbon team with the development of working forest conservation easements that maintain viability of sustainable forest management for economic benefit and protect key conservation values including wildlife habitat, and water quality;
• Develop and maintain relationships with forestland brokers, timberland investors, and conservation buyers to expand the portfolio's buyer pool and strengthen the marketability of WFF® lands.
• Work with appropriate marketing and communication, development, conservation acquisition and WFF® team members to develop associated marketing and outreach materials to ensure that WFF®'s external marketing materials are consistent with TCF's messaging and branding;
• Work with WFF®'s Forest Analysts, Forest Operations Managers and legal team to establish, maintain and manage data room materials for non-conservation and easement-encumbered lands to ensure a consistent process and equitable access to proprietary information for all potential buyers;
• Create and implement processes that identify and evaluate timberland real estate trends including comparable sales, timber market trends, and impacts of easements on the marketability of forestland; and
• Work with finance, Conservation Director and Sr. Land Protection Specialist to ensure tracking and reporting functions associated with WFF® dispositions are optimized.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree plus three-five years of experience in a directly - related field.
• Familiarity with conservation easements, forestry and timber markets.
• Familiarity with federal and state land conservation funding programs
• Familiarity with Land Trust Alliance's Standards and Practices.
• Ability to interact well with diverse stakeholders, including timberland owners, real estate brokers, timberland investors, public agencies, community groups, and local citizens.
• Proficiency in basic computer software (MS Word, Excel, Illustrator, ARC GIS).
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented and independent professional who works well as an individual and as a member of a team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent sales, interpersonal and customer service skills.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in forestry and/or natural resources
• Experience with conservation easements and forestland marketing and sales
• Experience in forestry and/or natural resources.
• Familiarity with local, state and/or Federal laws related to real estate transactions, land use and/or zoning ordinances.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Willingness to travel throughout the US and visit remote forest properties.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed primarily in an office setting with some time spent in the field on remote forest properties across the US.
• Estimated travel - 10-20%.

COMPENSATION and BENEFITS

This position offers a competitive salary, opportunities to earn performance-based bonus compensation and a highly competitive package of benefits including employer contributions for health care, paid holidays, vacation and personal/sick leave, retirement plan and more.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

To learn more about The Conservation Fund, visit https://www.conservationfund.org.

The Conservation Fund, a Non Profit Corporation, is an Equal Opportunity Employer who fully and actively supports equal access for all people regardless of Race, Color, Religion, Gender, Age, National Origin, Veteran Status, Disability, Genetic Information or Testing, Family and Medical Leave status, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression. The Fund prohibits retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or practice in the investigation of any complaint, or otherwise oppose discrimination.

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