Summary of Position:

The Partners in Perpetuity (“PiP”) Program Manager will lead a new programmatic initiative at the Minnesota Land Trust that seeks to strengthen connections between the Land Trust and one of its core constituencies: owners of Protected Lands. Through increased landowner outreach and support, including direct land management and restoration assistance and educational programming, the PiP Manager will develop and lead activities and initiatives that both improve ecological outcomes on the land and deepen landowner engagement. The PiP Manager will also serve as critical link between the Stewardship Department and other departments at the Land Trust, leading Stewardship’s participation in cross-departmental conservation planning, restoration project review and selection, and communications.

Company Values

All employees of the Minnesota Land Trust are expected to embrace the ideals of our company values and incorporate our values into their ongoing work. All employees should be familiar with the current values statement

Duties and Responsibilities

Manage Restoration and Land Management Activities:  50%

• Work collaboratively to deliver private land management and restoration to achieve Land Trust’s conservation agenda and strategic plan objectives.
• Assess new restoration sites, apply technical expertise and professional judgement to evaluate potential and direct project development.
• Develop annual slate of grant proposal priorities, and manage grant budgeting, implementation, and reporting.
• Oversee development of Restoration Action Plans, Request for Bids, and author technical documents.
• Provide oversight to project partners, contractors, and collaborators to ensure timely completion of restoration project goals.
• Develop strategic relationships with partner organizations, landowners, and other key stakeholders.
• Develop and manage program budgets.

Manage Landowner Relationships and Support Services: 40%

• Create and deliver educational programming on topics related to land management and resource conservation for delivery in webinar, in-person, and print or digital media formats.
• Cultivate and manage partnerships with organizations interested in collaborating with and supporting landowners.
• Plan and coordinate landowner networking events.
• Manage the Stewardship Department’s website presence – create and maintain landowner FAQ, landowner resources and opportunities, and information for owners of protected land.

Conservation Easement Stewardship:  10%

• Conduct annual monitoring visits in person or by analyzing satellite imagery to assess compliance with easement terms.
• Prepare reports and correspondence to landowners.
• Interpret and answer questions regarding the Conservation Easement documents for landowners.
• Present the Land Trust’s stewardship work to staff, board and partners.
• Assist with Minnesota Made, Treasured Places, LSOHC tours, board outings, and other organizational events as needed.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications

Education, Experience, Licenses/Certifications:

• Master’s degree and (5) years of experience in natural resources, land management or other related conservation field; or, equivalent combination of education, training, and experience; and
• Experience with Minnesota’s landscapes and natural resources, particularly pertaining to the designated Conservation Program Area; and
• Experience authoring technical documents, including restoration plans and contracts; and
• Valid MN driver’s license.
• Preferred: Experience with Minnesota’s land and water conservation programs and state/federal grant programs, including the Outdoor Heritage Fund and Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

Knowledge:

• Advanced knowledge of approaches and methods in habitat restoration and management planning. 
• Advanced knowledge of Minnesota ecosystems and ecology. 
• Proficiency in field methods and plant identification including MDNR Native Plant Community Guides. 
• Ecological restoration principles, techniques, and best practices for diverse habitat types 
• Grant writing, administration, and compliance requirements for state and federal funding sources 
• Budget development, management, and financial reporting procedures 
• Preferred: principles of private lands conservation, including conservation easements and easement stewardship.

Skills:

• Advanced interpersonal and relationship-building skills and ability to work collaboratively
• Advanced planning and organization
• Advanced project management
• Verbal and written communication
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, email, and calendar programs
• Preferred: GIS programs (ArcGIS, QGIS)

Abilities:

• Work effectively in a team environment with a wide variety of individuals – landowners, stakeholders, partners, staff, and Board of Directors
• Manage multiple overlapping objectives and deadlines
• Set and achieve goals in a self-directed manner, with a high degree of initiative
• High degree of detail-orientation
• Work independently and lead internal projects

Physical Demands:

This position is physically demanding and requires the following abilities:

• Ability to navigate in remote/rural and urban settings
• Ability to work full days outdoors at all times of the year
• Ability to walk up to four (4) miles over uneven terrain
• Ability to drive a vehicle for up to 8 hours per day

Mental Demands:

• Make decisions based on complex data interpretation
• Public speaking
• Work under pressure to meet deadlines

The Minnesota Land Trust is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities to ensure equal opportunity in the performance of essential job functions, and access to benefits and privileges of employment. If you require reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the position, please make a request to your supervisor.

Minnesota Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Company will not discriminate because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, genetic information, sex, disability, age, or any other status protected by state or local law, for employees who fall within the jurisdiction of such law.

Location:

This position can be located out of either our Saint Paul, MN or our Duluth, MN offices, with a potential for hybrid schedule.