Salary: Salary is approximately $50,000-$70,000 based on experience and employment status

Job Type: Full or part-time staff member (This position has the option to begin as part-time and grow to full-time)

Reports to: Director of Land Preservation

Work Type: Hybrid: The expectations for this position range from full-time in-office work to a blend of remote and in-office work, depending on the needs of the Park Trust

About National Park Trust

National Park Trust’s mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow. We work closely with the National Park Service to acquire privately owned lands to expand and complete our national parks. In addition, our Youth and Family Programs support our belief that our public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed by, and preserved by all for current and future generations.

Position Overview

National Park Trust seeks an energetic self-starter with a passion for our national parks. The Land Preservation Specialist will report to the Park Trust’s Director of Land Preservation, an NPS veteran who has completed many important land projects for the Trust. They will assist in negotiating and completing transactions as we embark on new and expanded initiatives utilizing funds available from our Treasure Forever Fund and our Land Preservation Fund, in tandem with opportunities for park land expansion like those created by the Great American Outdoors Act. 

Since our office is in Rockville, MD, candidates must be willing to relocate if they do not reside in the DC metropolitan area.

Skills & Qualifications

• The minimum education requirement is a 4-year college degree; advanced degrees are a plus.
• Solid research and organizational abilities, ability to multi-task, polished written and oral communication, and presentation skills are a must.
• Experience with negotiations; contract preparation; familiarity with conservation land acquisition and/or National Park Service operations or federal or state land acquisition programs; and real estate transactions is a plus.
• Applicants should be proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as well as Adobe Acrobat.

Responsibilities

• Maintain contact and liaison with National Park Service regional lands and resources offices to discuss ongoing land acquisition priorities and restoration projects.
• Establish contact and cooperate with individual Park Superintendents and their staff where the Park Trust intends to pursue a particular acquisition or restoration project.
• Coordinate and communicate with all involved parties, including land owners, environmental assessment contractors, title companies, and appraisers, throughout the implementation of projects.
• Conduct research on environmental mitigation situations to identify opportunities in which the Park Trust may be able to help direct environmental mitigation funding to restore or add lands in or around units of the national parks.
• Work closely under the direction of our Lands Director and the Board’s Lands and Land Preservation Committee to receive guidance and implement initiatives on projects.
• Assist our Executive Director and Director of Development in finding potential funding or acquisition partners and developing fundraising strategies for selected projects and potential donors/funders.
• Participate in presentations to the board, National Park Service, potential donors, funders and partners.
• Maintain updated digital and physical records in organized files of all projects.
• Regularly brief the Lands Director on assigned tasks – and when needed other members of the staff and board.

With the mentorship of our Lands Director, the Specialist will have the opportunity to expand their expertise in meeting the above responsibilities as well as in doing the following:

• Analyze project requirements and propose appropriate roles and activities for Park Trust.
• Develop budgets for each project including staff, transactional, and other real estate and support costs.
• Negotiate and prepare agreements with NPS or park units, the Park Trust, and any funder/partner/donor for projects, addressing each party’s role, expectations, and costs.
• Prepare and ensure appropriate review, signature, and submission of all legal and transactional documents required by a project.
• Prepare written materials on projects for briefings, newsletter articles, website and annual reports.
• Become proficient in identifying properties for acquisition by NPS, researching land and real estate records

Special Requirements

• The minimum education requirement is a 4-year college degree; advanced degrees are a plus. The position is located in the Rockville, MD office, and though some remote work is possible, the incumbent must be within commuting distance of Rockville.
• All staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. National Park Trust provides reasonable accommodations for medical reasons and sincerely held religious beliefs consistent with legal requirements.
• Applicants should be proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as well as Adobe Acrobat.
• Local and overnight travel may be required.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a car.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with company match
• Health and dental insurance with a vision program
• Life insurance and short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Vacation, sick leave, and observance of all federal holidays