The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is seeking a qualified professional to promote and administer the US Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program (FLP) within Virginia.

The US Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program is a federal program to conserve forestlands that are threatened by conversion to non-forest uses by providing grant funds to purchase forestland or acquire conservation easements. The Forest Legacy Program Coordinator, in conjunction with the Forestland Conservation Program Manager, will administer the FLP across the state and lead the project development, negotiation, and closing of FLP-funded conservation projects.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced land trust staff person (from stewardship or new easement development) who is ready to coordinate large-scale projects in partnership with conservation groups from across the state, as well as public agencies from the local, state, and federal level.

This position is grant-dependent and is currently funded for two years, (extendable for additional years, depending on funding availability). The position is preferably based out of DOF’s headquarters in Charlottesville, but other locations can potentially be negotiated. State telework and flexible schedule guidelines are also available.

Primary duties include:

• Outreach to land conservation organizations and other partners, including Native American Tribes, to inform them about the grant opportunities available through the FLP and encourage them to develop applications;
• Act as DOF lead for completing funded FLP open-space easement projects by working closely with landowners, real estate professionals, agency coworkers, other state agencies, local planning districts, county governments, and non-profit organizations to complete conservation projects;
• In coordination with DOF’s State Lands Manager, State Forest Superintendent, Forestland Conservation Program Manager and key staff from other state agencies, act as DOF lead for completing fee-simple purchases or donations of land to create or expand State Forests including obtaining necessary internal and external approvals;
• Design and administer a “project readiness fund” aimed at helping organizations to identify potential FLP projects, ensure project readiness, and prepare FLP applications;
• Provide support to organizations to prepare applications for multiple FLP grants throughout the year.
• Coordinate state-level evaluation of applications by a committee and selection of projects for the national-level competition;
• Work with other agency staff to procure contractor services that are necessary to complete funded projects (e.g., appraisals, boundary surveys, environmental site assessments, title search, and real estate closings);
• Administer funded grants, including financial and narrative reporting to FLP;
• Participating in regional and national FLP meetings; maintaining DOF’s productive relationship with USFS FLP staff;
• Maintaining agency records related to FLP and associated projects.

Other duties include:

• In collaboration with other staff from the Forestland Conservation Program, ensure that FLP easements are monitored per DOF and FLP requirements.
• Work collaboratively with the Forestland Conservation Program staff to develop programmatic strategies and prioritize work;
• Occasionally coordinate or support efforts to develop additional grants to complement FLP funding (e.g., Virginia Land Conservation Foundation).