Conservation Easement Project Manager
Full Time, salaried 40 hours/week
Duty Station: Rapid City, Spearfish, Sturgis or adjacent community
Salary Range: $55,000 – $75,000
Application Deadline: September 30, 2024
South Dakota Agricultural Land Trust (SDALT) is seeking an energetic and dependable Project Manager to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for leading and managing conservation easement projects from initiation through completion, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
SDALT is a nonprofit 501(c)3 conservation organization with a mission to conserve South Dakota’s agricultural heritage and working landscapes for the benefit of future generations. One way SDALT strives to achieve this mission is through delivery of Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation easement programs administered through the Farm Bill. As a Conservation Easement Project Manager, you will work closely with landowners, nonprofit entities, contractors and government agencies to develop project work plans and coordinate activities that will ensure the successful completion of conservation easement projects. You will be responsible for managing resources, monitoring progress, and communicating effectively to keep all stakeholders informed and aligned.
Key Responsibilities:
This position requires someone who is detail oriented, highly organized, has a background in conservation, agriculture, and/or business or related fields, has exceptional communication skills, and is highly motivated to be a part of a large-scale conservation effort.
The successful candidate will:
• Lead project planning, execution, and delivery.
• Ensure clear communication with stakeholders.
• Develop project plans and timelines, allocate resources, and manage project budgets.
• Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Provide detailed project updates to the SDALT Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Ensure compliance with SDALT policies and national easement standards.
• Maintain a solid understanding of all aspects of NRCS easement programs.
• Compile and ensure accuracy of property eligibility documentation for easement projects.
• Ensure the land eligibility criteria properly aligns with conservation easement deeds.
• Review maps and management plans to ensure compliance with program objectives.
• Review NRCS easement agreement packages to ensure each is complete and accurate.
• Track easement projects from obligation through completion using established protocols.
• Monitor project timelines and formulate corrective actions necessary to complete easement projects on time and within budget.
Qualifications:
An ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in conservation, agriculture, and/or business, or a related field and must be willing and able to travel as needed, including some overnight travel. Preferred attributes include experience working with private landowners, managing terrestrial and aquatic habitats, and developing conservation and grassland management plans.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Excellent organizational and multitasking skills.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities.
• Ability to think strategically.
• Willingness to adopt new approaches in response to changing circumstances.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive cooperator information.
• Working knowledge of NRCS conservation easement programs.
• Ability to effectively plan, organize, and prioritize work activities and meet deadlines.
• Computer literacy with a proficiency in spatial analysis, word processing, spreadsheet, and database management software.
• Proven ability to encourage collaboration among diverse project partners, with an ability to create and thrive in a team environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with proven ability to convey information in a clear and concise manner.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to foster collaborative problem-solving and to resolve or diffuse conflict.
• Ability to work independently and maintain a high level of productivity in a remote work environment.
Salary/Benefits: Annual salary of $55,000 to $75,000, commensurate with experience and education. SDALT will work with the successful candidate to customize a competitive benefit package that fits the incumbent’s health insurance and retirement planning needs as well as paid time off for holidays and three weeks paid time off, annually.
The successful candidate will report directly to the SDALT Executive Director.
Application: Please submit a cover letter and resume detailing your interest and your qualifications to Tony Leif, Executive Director by email at tony@sdalt.org. Please direct any questions to: Tony Leif at tony@sdalt.org or 605-280-2378 (voice or text message).
Why Join Us?
At SDALT, we value intuitive thinking, teamwork, and professional growth. We offer a collaborative work environment and a unique opportunity to work on impactful projects that have long-term benefits. If you are passionate about conservation and agriculture and ready to take on an exciting new challenge, we encourage you to apply.
Application Deadline: September 30, 2024.