Land Conservation Specialist

Mass Audubon • Easthampton, MA

2d • $75,000 - $85,000

About The Position

Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org . Mass Audubon’s Land Conservation team is seeking a Land Conservation Specialist to collaborate closely with the Senior Director of Land Conservation and a dedicated team of colleagues to identify, evaluate, and carry out meaningful land protection projects that advance Mass Audubon’s conservation mission and uphold its policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in natural resource management, land use planning, business, biological sciences or related field
• Three years of experience in land conservation/planning, real estate, or business in a related natural resource field
• Excellent writing and speaking skills
• Computer literacy
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel frequently and extensively throughout the state
• Willingness to traverse a variety of landforms on foot
• Employees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate with private landowners, public agencies, businesses, and other organizations concerning land acquisitions, transfers and sales
• Provide technical assistance to private landowners and conservation partners regarding conservation options and techniques
• Assist with development of baseline information, monitoring and record keeping relative to Conservation Restrictions (CR’s) held by Mass Audubon
• Provide advice and assistance to Mass Audubon staff, Board, volunteers and sanctuary committees on land protection issues
• Evaluate land protection proposals to ensure consistency with Mass Audubon policies and objectives
• Assist with duties related to system for tracking existing land holdings and CR’s
• Promote the financial and legal advantages of land conservation with donors and sellers, promote gifts and bargain sales of land
• Ensure the timely and accurate completion of tasks required to acquire and dispose of land or interests in land, including the preparation of administrative, financial and legal documents
• Prepare written reports, proposals and plans as required
• Attend department and Society meetings and serve on committees as requested
• Provide training for Mass Audubon staff on land protection issues
• Seek out and promote gifts and grants to support Mass Audubon land protection efforts, including House to Habitat gifts
• Assist in the preparation and implementation of an operating budget for land protection, and make recommendations on capital budget allocations for land
• Respond to public and media inquiries on land issues
• Assist in the preparation of public relations material
• Help assess the maintenance and security aspects of proposed land and building acquisitions and present recommendations to Senior Director
• Conduct initial Environmental Site Assessments on properties

Benefits

• Benefits eligible staff at Mass Audubon may elect to enroll in medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Mass Audubon also offers disability and life insurance plans, a retirement plan, and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Mass Audubon employment also includes access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through and the Reciprocity Agreement through the Consortium of Non-Profit Arts/Cultural/Environmental Organizations of New England.
• Mass Audubon employees enjoy 13 paid holidays (holidays may shift annually due to where days fall within calendar).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level