The Finger Lakes Land Trust, a regional non-profit land conservation organization, is seeking a full-time Land Conservation Specialist to work out of its Ithaca, New York office. 

Position Summary

The Land Conservation Specialist assists the Director of Conservation and Conservation Projects Manager with the development and implementation of land protection policies and goals, landowner outreach, and general support of the conservation program. The Land Conservation Specialist helps to facilitate fee-owned land and conservation easement acquisitions while adhering to high professional standards, current best management practices, and, in particular, the Standards and Practices of the Land Trust Alliance. In addition, the Land Conservation Specialist assists their team with outreach strategy and implementation throughout the Finger Lakes region and specific focus areas.

The Land Conservation Specialist will also work closely with the Conservation Coordinator, GIS Program Manager, and other program and Operations staff to advance the Finger Lakes Land Trust’s conservation efforts.

Primary Duties

• Landowner Education: Communicate with landowners who have expressed interest in conserving their land. Initiate outreach to landowners in designated focus areas, diligently track responses, and adjust outreach strategy as necessary.
• Outreach: Meet with public officials, conservation partners, and other key audiences to educate them about the work of the Land Trust. Present conservation topics at regional workshops.
• Coordination: Work with other staff to implement and track the Land Trust’s land protection program. Ensure that inquiries from landowners are managed in a timely and effective manner using Salesforce database software, LOCATE.
• Conservation Project Management: Contribute to assorted tasks related to conservation projects, eventually developing a portfolio of independently managed conservation easement and acquisition projects. Work with landowners, attorneys, surveyors, appraisers, conservation partners, and others to close projects.
• Grant Writing and Fundraising: Prepare funding proposals for specific land protection projects. Write grant narratives for state grant programs related to agricultural and forestland conservation easements and source water protection.
• Other Land-related Activities: Assist with other duties as needed, including but not limited to: environmental hazard assessments on lands to be acquired and completing baseline documentation reports.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in conservation, natural resources management, environmental science, ecology, sustainability, or a related field, and/or multiple years of relevant employment and volunteer experience in those or related fields.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop effective relationships with a variety of people, including landowners, and partner organizations.
• Ability to write proficiently, maintain organizational systems, and manage complex projects with great attention to detail.
• Have outdoor field preparedness in a variety of seasons and weather conditions, on both solitary and group site visits.
• Possess and maintain a valid NYS driver’s license and be comfortable with frequent travel around the region. A Land Trust-owned vehicle is available, but a personal vehicle will be needed for occasional travel, with mileage reimbursement.
• Ability to work independently while also working as part of a team and with a diverse array of partners and constituents.
• A strong commitment to land conservation.
• Some weekend and evening availability is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Some prior experience with land acquisition and conservation easements or a background in real estate or municipal planning.
• Knowledge of species and ecological communities of the Finger Lakes region.
• Training and/or experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software.

To Apply

Please email a cover letter and resume to Molly Corley at mollycorley@fllt.org with the job title in the subject line.

Additional Information

Competitive salary and benefits package ranging from $49,725 to $58,500 commensurate with experience.

The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) is a non-profit conservation organization that protects more than 35,000 acres of undeveloped lakeshore, gorges, forests, meadows, and farmlands. The FLLT owns and manages a network of nature preserves that are open to the public and holds conservation easements on properties that remain in private ownership. The organization focuses on protecting critical habitat for fish and wildlife, conserving lands that are important for water quality, connecting existing conservation lands, and keeping prime farmland in agriculture. The FLLT has 23 dedicated staff members and more than 200 active volunteers. 

The FLLT is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.