The Land Conservation Manager will work to protect land and water across New Mexico through conservation project development and implementation with landowners across the state. This exciting position will blend individual, parcel-by-parcel transactions with community, watershed and landscape-scale land protection efforts. The position will be based in Santa Fe with frequent travel around New Mexico.

Position Scope and Responsibilities

NMLC seeks a qualified and motivated individual to provide technical expertise, leadership and support to the organization by planning, managing, and helping fund land protection activities, including conservation easement and fee title acquisitions and transfers, landowner and community outreach, and project-related fundraising activities. This position will report to the Executive Director and work closely with the entire staff and Board.

The primary responsibilities of the Land Conservation Manager include:

Land Conservation Transactions

• Work closely with the Executive Director to develop, negotiate, and close conservation easements and other land protection transactions.
• Manage projects and coordinate with staff and outside consultants/contractors in the development and completion of land protection projects, including: project development and design; drafting of conservation easements and other land protection agreements; development of baseline documentation reports in conjunction with stewardship staff; project-related due diligence like title review, and oversight of mineral, water rights, environmental assessment, and appraisal contractors; serve as point of contact for project landowners and state/Federal agency staff.
• Identify land protection funding opportunities, develop project-related applications and grant proposals, and assist with other fundraising activities.
• Ensure NMLC’s land protection efforts comply with federal and state statutes, as well as internal guidelines, policies and accreditation standards.
• Refine land protection project management procedures and systems.

Stewardship

• Coordinate with NMLC’s Stewardship Manager throughout development of land protection projects, including composition of conservation easement deed terms and baseline documentation reports.
• Communicate the importance of ongoing stewardship and monitoring to landowners, and incorporate stewardship staff into landowner outreach and relationship-building

Outreach & Communication

• Respond to land protection inquiries from private landowners, community groups, public agencies and the general public.
• Initiate interest in land protection and generate new projects/transactions through outreach to and regular meetings with private landowners, community groups, public agencies and other conservation organizations.
• Gain cooperation from outside parties to accomplish goals and objectives. Partner with other public and private entities, as appropriate, to leverage resources toward the furtherance of NMLC’s mission.

Organizational Development

• Provide support for Conservation Committee and Board meetings as requested by the Executive Director.
• Provide coordination and support for NMLC’s professional accreditation renewal through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.