About Golden State Land Conservancy

Golden State Land Conservancy (GSLC) is a statewide nonprofit land trust dedicated to protecting California’s agricultural lands, natural resources, wildlife habitat, and working landscapes through conservation easements, land protection, stewardship, mitigation, and strategic partnerships.

GSLC manages a growing portfolio of conservation easements and protected properties throughout California. We work collaboratively with landowners, local communities, government agencies, conservation organizations, and other partners to develop practical, lasting conservation solutions.

Position Overview

Golden State Land Conservancy is seeking an experienced and highly organized Land Stewardship Coordinator to support the long-term stewardship and management of GSLC’s conservation easements, mitigation properties, and other protected lands.

The Land Stewardship Coordinator will play a key role in ensuring that GSLC fulfills its legal, contractual, organizational, funding, and accreditation obligations associated with protected properties. The position will coordinate annual conservation easement monitoring, maintain stewardship records, support landowner relations, assist with acquisition and project transitions, and coordinate mitigation, restoration, and land management activities.

Working closely with the Conservation Director and Executive Director, as well as landowners, legal counsel, government agencies, consultants, contractors, and conservation partners, the Land Stewardship Coordinator will support projects throughout their lifecycle—from initial evaluation and acquisition through closing, transition, monitoring, compliance, restoration, and long-term stewardship.

This position is well suited for a conservation professional who combines strong field skills with excellent project management, documentation, communication, and relationship-building abilities. The successful candidate will be comfortable working independently, managing multiple projects and deadlines, interpreting conservation easements and management plans, identifying potential compliance concerns, and exercising sound professional judgment in the field and office.

This position is remote/field-based and requires regular travel throughout California, including overnight travel as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Conservation Easement & Land Stewardship: Manage and monitor a portfolio of conservation easements, mitigation properties, and protected lands; conduct annual monitoring; maintain stewardship records; identify and address potential compliance and stewardship issues; and support Baseline Documentation Reports, Long-Term Management Plans, and related documentation.
• Acquisition & Project Transition: Support conservation projects from initial evaluation through acquisition, closing, and transition to long-term stewardship, including property assessments, due diligence, field inspections, and project documentation.
• Mitigation, Restoration & Land Management: Coordinate mitigation, restoration, and land management activities; work with consultants, contractors, agencies, and landowners; track project milestones and regulatory requirements; and identify adaptive management and enhancement opportunities.
• Landowner & Partner Relations: Build and maintain productive relationships with landowners, government agencies, consultants, contractors, and conservation partners; communicate stewardship requirements; and represent GSLC at meetings, site visits, and public events.
• Grants & Contracts: Assist with grant applications, funding proposals, reporting, and administration of conservation and stewardship grants and contracts.
• Program Administration: Track project obligations, deadlines, and deliverables; prepare updates for GSLC leadership and the Board; support accreditation and policy compliance; and help identify long-term stewardship needs and funding opportunities.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, environmental science, conservation, ecology, agriculture, land management, planning, or a related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered.
• At least 3–5 years of relevant professional experience in land conservation, conservation easement stewardship, natural resource management, land trust operations, mitigation, restoration, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience conducting field inspections and evaluating properties for conservation, ecological, agricultural, or land management conditions.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply conservation easements, management plans, baseline documentation, permits, grant agreements, and other legal or technical documents.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate, organized, and complete project documentation.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with staff, landowners, agencies, consultants, contractors, and conservation partners.
• Sound judgment and ability to identify potential compliance, stewardship, and conservation concerns and determine appropriate next steps.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or comparable productivity software.
• Experience with GIS and/or mapping applications.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel regularly throughout California, including occasional overnight travel.
• Ability to work outdoors in variable weather and terrain and perform fieldwork that may involve walking uneven or remote terrain.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with conservation easement monitoring and stewardship.
• Experience with land trusts, conservation easements, mitigation properties, or land acquisition.
• Familiarity with Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices and accreditation requirements.
• Experience preparing or reviewing Baseline Documentation Reports, Long-Term Management Plans, Property Analysis Report, or similar conservation documents.
• Experience with habitat restoration, agricultural land management, or mitigation projects.
• Working knowledge of California natural resource regulations and permitting processes.
• Experience with ArcGIS, ArcGIS Online, or other GIS platforms.
• Experience administering grants, contracts, or government-funded conservation programs.
• Experience working with farmers, ranchers, private landowners, public agencies, and conservation organizations.

Desired Skills & Attributes

The ideal candidate will be:

• Organized and accountable: Able to manage numerous projects, deadlines, and long-term obligations without losing sight of important details.
• Field-oriented: Comfortable conducting property inspections and assessing conservation conditions on the ground.
• Analytical: Able to interpret complex documents, evaluate conservation conditions, identify potential risks, and recommend practical solutions.
• Relationship-focused: Comfortable working directly with landowners and developing trust-based relationships while upholding GSLC’s legal and conservation responsibilities.
• A strong communicator: Able to communicate technical information clearly to landowners, partners, staff, board members, and the public.
• Independent and adaptable: Able to work effectively in a remote environment, prioritize competing demands, and respond constructively to changing project needs.
• Mission-driven: Committed to durable land conservation and GSLC’s goal of creating lasting conservation outcomes for California’s agricultural lands, natural resources, wildlife, and communities.

Work Environment & Travel

This is a remote/field-based position with regular travel to GSLC conservation properties and project sites throughout California. The position requires a combination of computer-based work, meetings, field inspections, site visits, and occasional overnight travel.

Fieldwork may involve walking on uneven or steep terrain, working in rural or undeveloped areas, exposure to heat, cold, dust, insects, vegetation, and other outdoor conditions, and occasional work around agricultural operations, restoration sites, or active land management activities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Golden State Land Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse perspectives and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can contribute to our conservation mission.