The Land & Stewardship Manager must possess a sincere love for the Blue Ridge Mountains and Foothills of Western North Carolina, be passionate about land & water conservation, and value the outdoors.  Authenticity is vital to the success of this position, and you must be committed to FCNC’s conservation efforts through unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence.  

The Land and Stewardship Manager will be responsible for stewarding FCNC’s conservation easements and preserves, including annual monitoring, legal defense measures, and associated record-keeping, as well as developing and maintaining good relationships/communications with FCNC’s conservation easement landowners and funding agencies.

The position will also assist with the oversight of FCNC’s Oak Hill Community Park and Forest and the natural resource management activities on FCNC-owned preserve lands. Some expectations of this position include strong interpersonal and communication skills, as well as detailed recordkeeping according to policies and procedures.

The Land and Stewardship Manager will work to support the strategic goals of the conservation program, as well as assist with the daily operations involved with this program, and other additional duties as needed.  This person will work collaboratively with the members of the Conservation Program Team on a daily basis.

The position requires frequent travel throughout FCNC’s service area, often to remote locations, and the ideal candidate will be a courageous and reliable individual with the ability to think critically and work independently. The ideal candidate may not have substantial experience with every aspect of the duties and responsibilities described herein.  However, a willingness and ability to learn, having an open mind and being receptive to collaboration with others across department lines, working as a team to problem solve and generate innovative ideas, and being flexible is critical.  

Key Responsibilities Include:

Easement Monitoring Program Management  

• Implement the annual conservation easement monitoring and reporting program and related follow- up activities for conservation easements held by the organization in accordance with FCNC policies and Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices.
• Implement the annual monitoring and reporting for conservation easements held by other organizations and the State of NC for which FCNC has contractual monitoring responsibilities.
• Draft baseline documentation reports for conservation easements. 
• Assist FCNC conservation program directors with drafting/review of conservation easements.
• Work diligently with landowners to ensure easement compliance.

Preserve Stewardship & Monitoring Program Management

• Implement the annual FCNC preserve monitoring program and related follow-up activities for conservation lands owned and managed by FCNC in accordance with FCNC policies and Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices.
• Draft preserve management plans and assist with the implementation and documentation of prescriptive preserve management activities.
• Lead in the management, maintenance, and upkeep of FCNC’s Oak Hill Community Park and Forest property facilities and infrastructure. 
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with public agencies, private practitioners, and local Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs) to foster a collaborative burning environment and increase the total acreage of "good fire" across the regional landscape.
• Assist FCNC conservation program directors with long term planning and considerations for future conservation lands, specifically evaluating public use potential on FCNC preserve lands to identify and prioritize properties for protection and restoration, review and provide feedback on proposed new land protection projects, and provide feedback on organizational capacity to own and administer additional preserve lands.

Communications & Records Management

• Maintain well-organized, current records for all conservation easements and FCNC preserves.
• Ensure FCNC’s Stewardship Program meets national Land Trust Accreditation Commission standards and IRS requirements through policy review and adherence, as well as accurate record- keeping.
• Maintain communication with conservation easement landowners and other landowners adjoining both conservation easements and preserves and build relationships through outreach, education, and coordination with FCNC conservation program directors for natural resource management support.
• Address ongoing landowner requests/concerns and potential violations of easements and management issues at FCNC-owned properties in consultation with conservation program directors.
• Work collaboratively with FCNC conservation program directors to implement conservation easement defense standards and practices and address potential easement violations under the guidance of the Land Protection & Stewardship Committee and Board of Trustees.
• Provide GIS mapping support as required for conservation projects.

Fundraising & Community Engagement

• Provide information for and assist with grant applications for new conservation projects and conservation easement and preserve stewardship.
• Support FCNC development and marketing staff with the creation of communications related to FCNC’s stewardship program including website, social media, print materials and e-mail.
• Represent FCNC while attending relevant community events that support the growth of FCNC and introduce our organization to prospective donors, build and maintain relationships with other partners, stakeholders, local government organizations, etc.
• Assist with the implementation of FCNC’s Incubator Farm Program.
• Assist in maintaining FCNC conservation program hardware, software, equipment, tools and vehicles. 
• Maintain and develop beneficial relationships with conservation professionals and professionals in related fields in the community.
• Advance and maintain skills, education, and knowledge of best practices that are relevant to the job description.
• Provide regular reports to the Executive Director and FCNC Board on strategic goals and objectives pertaining to the conservation and stewardship program. Along with the rest of Foothills Conservancy’s board and staff, help advance the organization’s strategic plan and strategic initiative
• Work to ensure honest and sincere interactions and positive working relationships with team members, government agency staff, contractors, landowners, vendors, community leaders, event sponsors/participants, volunteers, donors / supporters, and the general public.

Land & Stewardship Manager Expectations: 

• A personal commitment to the mission of Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, and personal values that reflect those of FCNC.
• Self-motivation—comfortable working independently on multiple projects simultaneously, strong organizational and time management skills, a commitment to accuracy and integrity in all aspects of the job, and a desire to network within the land trust community.
• Superior communication skills - strong speaking, writing and listening skills, an ability to communicate to a variety of audiences in a variety of formal and informal settings
• Strong people skills—friendly and welcoming, honest and truthful, willing to build relationships with people from all walks of life.
• Energetic and positive attitude with a strong affinity for the outdoors—should enjoy spending long days outdoors, working hard in wilderness settings.
• Excellent team player—ability to work and collaborate with others, respect for all team members and ability to foster and maintain an enjoyable, rewarding and productive workplace.
• Technical skills—General office and computer skills are required. Understanding of Microsoft Office, Google Suite. Familiarity with ESRI ArcGIS software, Dendroyka Landscape software, and Upstream Tech Lens software.
• Travel—frequent, independent travel within FCNC’s eight-county region. Overnight travel  is rare and limited primarily to conferences and professional development opportunities.

Job Requirements  

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a natural resource related field, from an accredited institution, required. 
• 3-5 years experience in a conservation related role e.g., environmental resource management, environmental restoration, forestry, soil and water conservation, ecology, etc. 
• Experience in land trust work, previous nonprofit experience, and/or conservation easement monitoring experience preferred. Land surveying, wildland fire fighting/certified prescribed burner, and/or back-country field experience are a plus.
• Demonstrated track record of leading and implementing habitat restoration and land management projects specifically within the Southern Appalachian Mountains and Foothills, with a deep understanding of its unique topography, diverse microclimates, and globally significant ecosystems.
• Strong knowledge/passion for the outdoors.   
• Able to lift 50+ lbs. and able to carry 30+ lbs. over rough terrain, for long periods of time
• Able to use and operate basic hand/carpentry tools; handheld power tools, outdoor power equipment, ATVs, etc.  
• Able to work in rugged terrain and various weather conditions.
• Valid driver’s license. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work occasional weekends and weekday evenings.