Reports to

Assistant Director of Conservation and Stewardship

Basic Functions

Responsible for the administration, monitoring and enforcement of Conservancy easements and for communications with owners of eased properties. Promotes the use of proper land management techniques and good stewardship to improve water quality and ecological restoration on eased lands. Supervises Easement Stewards and interns.

Position Relationships

Reports to the Assistant Director for Conservation and Stewardship. Supervises Easement Stewards, interns, and consultants. Works with other Conservancy staff members on cooperative projects. Serves as a liaison with other institutions and conservation organizations. 

Essential Functions

1. Oversees administration and monitoring of all existing Conservancy conservation easements.
2. Manages all preparatory and follow-up tasks related to annual easement inspections and plan reviews, including inspections for compliance, baseline reports, documentation of field observations, and landowner contacts.
3. Works to uphold positive relationships with owners of eased land and to promote the Conservancy as a conservation partner.
4. Communicates regularly with landowners regarding easement stewardship and enforcement issues.
5. Supervises Easement Stewards, consultants, and interns.
6. Responsible for maintaining and updating all conservation easement records and easement summary data in accordance with the Conservancy’s Record Retention Policy and Land Trust Accreditation Commission requirements.
7. Promotes and facilitates the Landowner Stewardship Program, including outreach to easement owners and implementation of best management practices and other projects to promote conservation and restoration of land, water, and biological resources.
8. Tracks changes to Land Trust Accreditation requirements and ensures Conservancy’s easement administration and stewardship policies and procedures remain in accordance with such.
9. Serves as liaison between Land Conservation staff and easement stewardship team relating to new easement projects.
10. Contributes to Conservancy publications, social media and other public relations activities through speeches to civic, governmental and other groups and organizations.
11. Maintains contacts with real estate professionals, and other conservation representatives, local governments, regional, state and federal agencies to promote easement compliance and understanding.
12. Assists other Conservancy staff and performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in geography, environmental science, ecology, land planning, or related field. Advanced degree or certification preferred.
2. 5-7 years practical experience with conservation easements, natural resource management, and/or land planning.
3. Ability to resolve complex enforcement issues with diplomacy and tact.
4. Demonstrated ability to comprehend and interpret legal documents and maps.
5. Exceptional organizational skills including the ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks.
6. Ability to work outdoors in all seasons and weather conditions.
7. Proficiency with Microsoft Office computer programs, including MS Teams, Word, Outlook, OneDrive, and Excel. Familiarity with GIS and GPS preferred.
8. Exceptional written and oral communications skills, positive and energetic attitude and self-motivation.
9. Ability to devote such time as required to perform assigned functions, with daily work hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and occasional night meetings and weekend work.
10. Frequent travel within southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware.
11. A valid driver’s license and a reliable means of transportation to and from work and to daily work assignments.
12. Ability to lift 30 pounds and also to walk long distances over varying terrain.

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Connie Scholz at [email protected].

We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art is committed to building a culturally diverse staff.