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

The Director of Conservation works closely with the President, Chief Operating Officer, and other staff to advance the organization’s conservation efforts through land acquisition, conservation easements, and water quality projects that mitigate surface runoff and restore fish and wildlife habitat.

The position plays a leadership role in guiding efforts to connect with landowners and develop and sustain partnerships with a variety of public and private sector groups. The Director of Conservation also plays a role in securing funding for conservation projects. Frequent travel throughout the 12-county Finger Lakes region is required, as is a flexible work schedule.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director of Conservation is responsible for leading the team that implements the Land Trust’s land and water conservation programs. This position manages their own portfolio of projects while also supervising four full-time staff and managing the protection team’s collective activities.

The Director of Conservation supervises the Conservation Projects Manager, Land Conservation Specialist, GIS Projects Manager, and the Land Conservation Support Specialist. The position is also part of a management team that includes the President, Chief Operating Officer, and the Directors of Stewardship, and Development.

Primary Duties

1) Program Management: Primary responsibility for implementation of the Land Trust’s conservation agenda; works with other staff to achieve conservation goals and to ensure compliance with Land Trust Standards & Practices and other relevant record keeping and customer service standards.

2) Outreach & Partnerships: Leads a team effort to engage landowners and develop long-term relationships; develops and sustains partnerships with public conservation agencies, lake associations, and other stakeholders; meets with public officials, sportsmen’s groups, and other key audiences to educate them about the work of the Land Trust.

3) Fundraising: Works closely with the Director of Development and other staff to secure and administer grants for priority acquisitions and conservation easements; prepares funding proposals and participates in fundraising events as needed.

4) Land Protection Projects: While implementing a select portfolio of land acquisition and conservation easement projects, oversees completion of other projects by the Conservation Projects Manager and the Land Conservation Specialist.

5) Water Quality Projects: Work closely with the Hemlock to High Tor and Watershed Initiatives Project Director, other Land Trust staff, contractors, and partner organizations to prioritize, design, and implement demonstration projects to reduce nutrient runoff into streams and lakes.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Successful work experience in land and water conservation, or a related field
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently while also operating as part of a team
• Ability to work with diverse partners and constituents
• Experience with securing and administering grants
• Strong organizational and computer skills
• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours
• A strong commitment to conservation
• Attention to detail
• Supervisory experience

Additional Information

This is a full-time position, located in Ithaca, NY.

See the job posting at https://www.fllt.org/employment-opportunity-director-of-conservation-2/