Job Description

Position Description

 Title:                           Deputy Director of Conservation Programs

Manager:                    Director of Conservation

Location:                    Warrenton, VA

Job Classification:    Full Time Exempt

Introduction

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that has proudly promoted and protected the natural resources, rural economy, history and beauty of the Virginia Piedmont since 1972. PEC empowers residents to protect what makes the Piedmont a wonderful place, and works with citizens to conserve land, protect air and water quality, celebrate historic resources, build smart transportation networks, promote sustainable energy choices, restore wildlife habitat and improve people’s access to nature (learn more about PEC).

Areas of Responsibility

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is seeking to hire a Deputy Director of Conservation Programs to work in close partnership with the Director of Conservation and other PEC staff to manage PEC’s conservation easement stewardship program and provide operational support for PEC’s conservation programs and projects.  Examples of activities include:

Conservation Program Support and Administration

• Assist the Director of Conservation in creating and administering budgets and work plans.
• The Deputy Director will provide direct management to specific PEC staff members as assigned, and in coordination with the Director of Conservation.
• Serve as a point of contact for the conservation team’s programmatic public and private grants, including reporting and coordinating payment requests with PEC’s Grant Manager, Director of Finance and Administration, and conservation staff.
• Review conservation real estate transactions undertaken by PEC to ensure transactions are in accordance with PEC policies and procedures and the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices.
• Serve as point of contact for the PEC Board of Directors Conservation Committee.
• Coordinate periodic review of PEC conservation program practices and protocols to improve organizational efficiency and enhance staff training and professional development.
• Coordinate PEC conservation staff team meetings.
• Collaborate with PEC communications and development staff to secure appropriate funding and highlight the benefits of PEC’s work in the region.
• Attend senior management meetings when PEC’s Director of Conservation is unavailable.

Stewardship Program Management

• Ensure PEC’s work embodies best practices identified by the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices, particularly in regard to the stewardship of land owned and conservation easements held by PEC.
• Ensure annual stewardship monitoring is completed by proposing monitoring assignments, tracking status, and approving reports.
• Coordinate periodic review of monitoring protocols and technologies to efficiently and effectively meet PEC’s stewardship needs.
• Assist PEC Legal Assistant and Records Manager to ensure conservation database, LOCATE, reflects accurate data and complete records. Develop information materials and other means to serve PEC’s conservation easement landowners and strengthen relationships.
• Monitor and steward a select portion of PEC’s portfolio of 75 conservation interests.
• Oversee intake and review of stewardship inquiries, including but not limited to easement interpretations and requests including amendments and discretionary consent.
• In consultation with PEC Legal Counsel, resolve potential and actual violations effectively and efficiently in accordance with policies and procedures,
• In consultation with PEC Legal Counsel, propose and negotiate resolutions to stewardship issues with landowners and third parties in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Assist Project Managers with Baseline Documentation field work when appropriate.
• Other Duties as Required

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. 5 or more years work experience or Graduate degree in agriculture, forestry, natural resources, planning, law or a related field preferred.
• Some past supervisory experience preferred.
• A minimum of three years of experience in land conservation, preferably conservation easement stewardship.
• Ability to interpret and comprehend legal and technical documents.
• Demonstrated organizational skills managing multiple projects with the ability to move quickly from one to another while maintaining thorough records.
• Detail and goal-oriented, with the ability to exercise independent judgment in completing tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines.
• Strong ability to communicate with private landowners and confront challenges with utmost sensitivity and professionalism.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and partners.
• Familiarity with conservation grant programs, such as NRCS Agricultural Land Easement program, the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation grant program, the Virginia Agricultural Cost Share program, and/or funding opportunities available through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
• Knowledge and experience with Google Suite and Microsoft Office productivity software. Familiarity with Salesforce, LOCATE, and ArcMap a plus.
• Requires minimal supervision.
• Physical ability to sit at a desk with a computer or in meetings for long periods, to travel to remote and undeveloped property, to hike and wade through a variety of environmental conditions and be outdoors for considerable periods of time.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Willing to work some weekends and evenings.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.

 Compensation

Salary range of $65,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits

PEC offers an outstanding benefits package including health, dental, vision, short and long term disability and term life insurance, a 403 (b) employee pension plan, HSA and FSA options and some employer paid additional supplemental insurance benefits including accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity. Upon employment, you will be entitled to paid holidays and will begin accruing personal leave as designated in the PEC Employee Handbook. PEC also offers employees one day of leave per year to perform volunteer work.

Application Process

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to ap***@pe***.org.

The Piedmont Environmental Council is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from women and persons of color are encouraged. Resume reviews begin immediately.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: Agriculture, conservation, environment, natural resources, and planning. Salaries: 60,000 - 80,000.

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