MALT - Manager, Conservation Programs

MALT is a nonprofit land trust created in 1980 by a coalition of ranchers and environmentalists to permanently protect Marin County farmland. Some of the Bay Area’s most highly acclaimed dairy and cheese products, grass-fed meats, and organic crops are produced on farmland protected by MALT’s 98 agricultural conservation easements. 

As an innovative agricultural land trust, MALT operates at the intersection of agriculture and conservation. Our mission is to permanently protect Marin County’s agricultural land for agricultural use. Our commitment is to the long-term health of the land itself, as well as to the farmers and ranchers who work on the land. The Conservation Programs Manager will be part of a dynamic team working to permanently protect Marin’s agricultural land for agricultural use in ways that benefit healthy communities, clean water and air, diverse habitats, sustainable and regenerative agriculture, and climate resiliency.

MALT has permanently protected over 58,917 acres of West Marin’s diverse mosaic of coastal grasslands, oak woodlands, rangelands, and pastoral open space. MALT is committed to supporting sustainable management, climate-beneficial and regenerative agriculture in Marin County, including farming and grazing practices that rebuild soil organic matter and improve soil biodiversity to draw down carbon and improve the water cycle.

We welcome people of all backgrounds, identities, and beliefs to join us in achieving our mission to permanently protect Marin’s agricultural land for agricultural use. MALT is committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace in which everyone is welcomed, valued, and supported. We are a team that works together to achieve our goals. We recognize that diverse teams make the strongest teams and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.

We invite you to join the MALT team—a dynamic and passionate staff who care deeply about our mission and one another.

THE POSITION
The Conservation Programs Manager is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Director of Conservation Programs. The Conservation Programs Manager will manage the programmatic aspects of MALT's community engagement work, contribute to MALT's stewardship work and strategic initiatives, and support the monitoring of MALT's conservation easements. The Conservation Programs Manager is actively engaged in the conservation team's cross-departmental initiatives and represents MALT's conservation program at MALT events and with speaking engagements, presentations, and participation in local stakeholder groups.

ABOUT YOU

• Any combination of education and work experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed herein. Normally, this would include a Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in agricultural or natural resource management, range management, environmental science, ecology, or related field preferred and as well as a minimum of 5 years of field experience or experience in a community outreach role that required speaking on topics related to agriculture and rangeland and natural resource management. Experience with events, volunteers, and public speaking is preferred
• Understanding of agriculture and rangeland management; including a familiarity with California flora and fauna, grassland ecosystems, and invasive species management.
• Familiarity with or experience in communicating scientific topics to non-technical audiences through written, visual, or verbal formats.
• Experience with public speaking, leading community engagement events on topics related to agriculture, rangeland management, biodiversity, and watershed health.
• Familiarity with or experience supervising volunteers/volunteer programs in docent, environmental education, or similar public-facing programs.
• Familiarity with conservation easements and land trusts.
• Ability to gain confidence in and work with agriculturalists and the agricultural community.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with both internal teams and external partners. 
• Experience creating maps and managing data with the current generation of ArcGIS software products (introductory experience with ArcGIS acceptable).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; demonstrated proficiency in Google Workspace, Windows operating systems, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), preferred experience with Monday.com and Slack.
• Must be able to hike up to 5 miles per day over steep and rugged terrain, and be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Reliable transportation and a valid driver's license required with acceptable DMV record and automobile liability insurance.
• Experience driving an off-road vehicle on steep and rugged terrain is preferred.
• Flexible schedule with occasional evening and weekend work during peak MALT event season—Spring and Fall.
• A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Engagement and Programmatic Event Management (50%)

• Works with Director of Conservation Programs, Associate Director of Events, and Development Coordinator to plan, support, and execute MALT events.
• Prepares mapping, promotional, and educational materials for public hikes and community events. Serves as a resource for planning donor events, and additional community engagement opportunities.
• Develops and maintains relationships and coordinates with landowners and partners to plan the programmatic aspects of MALT events and develop new community engagement opportunities.
• Supports Communications, Development, and Events teams by providing current and accurate information on MALT conserved properties, land protection efforts, stewardship grants, and other programmatic work. 
• Manages and trains volunteers to assist with programmatic support for events.
• Leads other education and outreach representing MALT's mission, programs, and information to the public. 

Stewardship and Conservation Programs Support (50%)

• Supports the Land Protection Team in monitoring MALT conservation easements according to MALT policies and Land Trust Alliance (LTA) standards and practices.
• Collaborates with the Conservation Team to leverage monitoring data to drive outgoing stewardship grants and help inform new programmatic work, and assists with MALT's strategic initiatives.
• Supports the implementation of new and growing areas of work that address conservation issues at a landscape-scale for natural and working lands.
• Establishes and maintains positive relationships and communications with landowners, agricultural producers, and organizational partners.
• Supports the implementation of outgoing stewardship grants, including the small grants program and stewardship assistance program.
• Supports the stewardship team in technical support and targeted monitoring initiatives, supports documentation of easement compliance matters and issues of concern identified in the field.

Prepares easement-monitoring reports, including mapping, photo documentation, funding agency reporting, letters to landowners, and online database document retention.

COMPENSATION and BENEFITS 

This is a full-time, exempt position with a flexible schedule that accommodates in-person and work-from-home schedules, requiring regular weekly presence in MALT’s office in Point Reyes Station, the West Marin community and some in-person collaboration with stakeholder groups including donors, agriculturalists, partners, and community members.

Salary Range: $98,000 - $109,500

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability 
• FSA Child Care
• FSA Medical
• Paid Time Off
• 403 (b); 403 (b) Employer Match
• Employee Assistance Program