Organization: Tecumseh Land Trust
About the position:
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: TLT Office, Yellow Springs, OH
Salary: $50,000 + benefits
How to apply: Please send resume and cover letter by September 29, 2023 in one pdf file to michele@tecumsehlandtrust.org with Subject: Associate Director.
Organizational Overview:
Tecumseh Land Trust (TLT) is a 33 year old land trust serving a portion of southwest Ohio. This organization has a long history of land preservation starting with a vision from the Village of Yellow Springs dating back to the 1960s. Today, we hold easements on 222 properties totaling over 36,000 acres of prime farmland and natural areas. Our mission is to protect local farmland, water resources, and natural areas forever. Our goal is to protect 100,000 acres in our service area. Our organization is supported by members, fundraisers, and grants. We offer robust educational programming targeted to our members, the general public, and landowners/farmers. We are committed to long-term land use planning efforts in all the communities we serve.
TLT was the first land trust in Ohio to become accredited by the Land Trust Alliance and has since been reaccredited twice. We are committed to operating under LTA’s Standards and Practices and upholding our obligations with respect to the conservation easements we hold.
Qualifications:
• A 4-year degree, preferably in natural resources management, agriculture, or a related field and /or experience in intergovernmental work, resource management, communications, non-profit management, fundraising, real estate, marketing or a related field.
• Ability to interact well with a wide variety of people, including landowners, government officials, the press, scientists, donors, the general public, and a diverse Board of Directors.
• Excellent communication skills
• Skilled in public speaking, and ability to represent the land trust in a public forum. • Ability to combine sound judgment with a strong commitment to the protection of the unique natural, agricultural and cultural resources.
• Ability to multi-task, managing many projects and activities at once, and be flexible in duties.
• Must act in a professional manner.
• Work outdoors in a variety of environments in inclement weather.
• Experience in land trust work or conservation easements and ArcGIS preferred.
Primary Responsibilities:
Under the direction of the Executive Director
Organizational:
1. Provide support to the Board of Directors, its officers and committees. 2. Assist with organizational management activities including but not limited to accreditation, strategic planning, board, committee, and volunteer recruitment. 3. Direct and conduct organizational management functions, including the development and revision of policies and plans.
4. Supervise, motivate and develop staff and volunteers.
5. Attend committee and board meetings as directed by the ED.
Land Preservation:
1. Organize and manage land preservation goals, easement acquisition and conservation easements projects.
2. Provide outreach and education to landowners, operators, land managers, and the general public about land preservation.
3. Create maps and other materials necessary to evaluate land preservation criteria. 4. Close out land preservation project files and distribute and file final easement documents including off site storage.
Stewardship:
1. Assist and provide support for stewardship and monitoring activities.
2. Build and maintain personal relationships with easement grantors.
3. Interpret easement language and requests from landowners or call Easement Committee as needed.
4. Supervise and support monitors and monitoring activities.
5. Review monitoring reports.
6. Files new easements with Terra Firma and Chubb Insurance.
7. Ensure compliance with easements in consultation with the Executive Director.
Fundraising:
1. Assist in the implementation of a marketing and fundraising strategy. 2. Assist in marketing, fundraising and membership development activities, including designing and implementing fundraising and membership solicitations, and seeking financial support, grants, contracts, and other assistance from individuals, foundations, corporations, and public agencies.
3. Build and maintain personal relationships with grantors and donors.
4. Write and submit grants as appropriate.
Community Outreach:
1. Develop collaborative relationships with local, regional and state conservation agencies and organizations.
2. Assist with public communications program including publication of newsletter, news releases, social media and information materials.
3. Develop educational programs and community projects.
4. Organize meetings and conferences, and conduct presentations about land preservation. 5. Participate in the Coalition of Ohio Land Trusts and other regional conservation collaborations as deemed necessary or beneficial to the organization.
6. Advocate for policies at the local, state, and federal levels related to the mission of the organization.
Compensation: Salary $50,000
Benefits:
QSEHRA Health Savings Plan
Simple IRA retirement plan with employer match after 1 year of employment Two weeks paid vacation and two weeks paid sick leave (increases with tenure) Paid federal holidays
Travel reimbursement
Flexible work schedule
Wonderful work environment on a historic farm in Yellow Springs, Ohio and field work throughout Clark, Greene, and surrounding counties.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in an office as well as in the field. Travel is required to meetings, speaking engagements, workshops, professional associations, and other events requiring Land Trust representation. Hours are diverse, since many meetings with land owners, board, and volunteers may occur in the evenings or on weekends. Valid driver’s license is required.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume as PDF or Word document files to michele@tecumsehlandtrust.org by September 27, 2023. References will be required after interviews.
Tecumseh Land Trust is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
More information can be found here.