Conservation Program Manager Vital Ground Foundation

Overview

The Conservation Project Manager works closely with the Conservation Director and Vital Ground’s team to identify, develop and complete conservation projects in support of Vital Ground’s mission with guidance from the organization’s One Landscape conservation strategy. Vital Ground is an LTA-accredited land trust that deploys various conservation tools including conservation easements, land acquisitions, habitat restoration, and support of local, state, federal and tribal conservation efforts throughout the Northern Rockies to accomplish its mission.

The Conservation Project Manager is responsible for building landowner and agency/tribal relationships, negotiating complex land transactions, overseeing due diligence and closing real estate transactions. Qualified candidates must possess a deep commitment to wildlife habitat conservation and experience in conservation easements and real estate transactions.

• Cultivating relationships with private landowners, agencies and tribes to support conservation project development throughout Vital Ground’s service area (primarily western Montana and northern Idaho).
• Developing and administering conservation easement transactions including: negotiating the donation or bargain purchase of conservation easements, conducting and tracking due diligence (including contracting for qualified services when necessary) and project closing.
• Initiating, developing and administering fee title acquisitions including: negotiating the purchase or donation of land, conducting and tracking due diligence and project closing.
• Developing and presenting relevant project information including project summaries, budgets, maps, and organizational resolutions to Vital Ground’s Lands and Conservation Committee, Board of Trustees and occasionally, the public.
• Completing technical grant applications for specific projects administered by the position and coordinating private fundraising opportunities with Vital Ground’s Development and Communications programs.
• Periodically representing Vital Ground at local, regional or national partnership meetings focused on collaboratively protecting open space throughout the intermountain west.
• Maintaining accurate project information in Vital Ground’s conservation database and filing permanent records in compliance with adopted standards and policies.
• Assisting with the organization’s annual project planning and budgeting.

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in related field (conservation, natural resource management, environmental science or law).
• Conservation experience with a land trust, conservation organization, natural resource management agency, or equivalent.
• A minimum of 2-3 years professional experience in real estate transactions or other related land conservation work.
• Experience working with rural landowners, agricultural operators and forest property owners.
• Experience managing multiple, complex projects with success.
• The ability to work independently and be accountable to deadlines while managing time effectively with minimal supervision.
• Experience communicating with landowners, public, committees, boards and media verbally and in writing.

• A knowledge of wildlife biology and conservation strategies.
• Basic understanding and application of ArcGIS products.
• A knowledge of habitat restoration including wetlands, uplands and forest lands.
• Knowledge of and experience with the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices, accreditation requirements and compliance.

• This is an exempt, full-time regular position (approx. 40 hours per week).
• Vital Ground is headquartered in Missoula, MT and is currently operating under a hybrid remote-work option. Preferred candidates will be based in Missoula, MT.
• Flexibility to work occasional weekends and long hours, especially during deadline periods.
• Regular vehicle travel is required (project emphasis areas include northern Idaho and Montana, but periodic travel to destinations throughout the northern Rockies is possible) throughout the year in varying road conditions. Qualified candidates must possess a valid…