What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Protection position at The Nature Conservancy?
OFFICE LOCATION
Lexington, Kentucky, USA
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Other locations in Kentucky may be considered.
What We Can Achieve Together
The Director of Protection coordinates and implements a comprehensive program to protect priority lands and waters using the full range of protection tools, including gifts, easements, purchases, conservation brokerage and cooperative projects with federal, state, and local governments, conservation organizations and other partners as appropriate. This position is responsible for implementing and achieving the Conservancy’s internal conservation priorities by overseeing and representing the Conservancy in relationships and negotiations with government agencies and other partners. They lead efforts to secure public and private funds for land protection, research land ownership information for tracts identified as potential acquisition projects and prepare documents for internal approvals. They respond to protection inquiries and screen potential protection projects. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU
The Director of Protection is responsible for leading land protection work for Kentucky and cooperating with larger teams within the Appalachians Program and Southern U.S. Division on highest priority land protection goals. This position will oversee all stages of protection (origination, preparation of project abstracts, internal approvals, financing, issue resolution, closing). The Director of Protection will work closely with the Kentucky Director of Conservation to ensure strategic alignment of priority projects and will represent the Conservancy in relationships and negotiations with non-profit partners, government agencies and other key partners. This role will work closely and coordinate with a wide variety of Nature Conservancy staff, private individuals, public entities and corporations in support of land conservation goals.
This role is responsible for identifying and developing funding opportunities for land protection, including soliciting and monitoring government funding for land acquisition, market-based funding evaluations, private fundraising, and other creative approaches. The Director of Protection is an expert in protection techniques and resources and advises staff at partner agencies and organizations on the application of these tools for conservation advancement.
This position will maintain records related to land transactions, supervise staff as needed or as funding is available, and will periodically assist with speaking engagements, leading donor field trips, and other duties as assigned.
Establishing a protection culture of creativity, problem-solving and collaboration is a critical function of this role. Large land deals in this landscape require the ability to trouble shoot complex issues, including mineral interests, heir and surface ownership issues, active and abandoned coal permits, questions of legal and reputational risk and communicating the risks related to these complex issues to others within TNC and externally where appropriate.
What You'll Bring
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
AUTO SAFETY POLICY
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.
Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.
Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.
SALARY INFORMATION
The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $80,000 – 90,000 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.
APPLY NOW
To apply for job ID 56432, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ . Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org . This posting will be open until filled.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.
Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.
Lexington, Kentucky, USA
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Other locations in Kentucky may be considered.
What We Can Achieve Together
The Director of Protection coordinates and implements a comprehensive program to protect priority lands and waters using the full range of protection tools, including gifts, easements, purchases, conservation brokerage and cooperative projects with federal, state, and local governments, conservation organizations and other partners as appropriate. This position is responsible for implementing and achieving the Conservancy’s internal conservation priorities by overseeing and representing the Conservancy in relationships and negotiations with government agencies and other partners. They lead efforts to secure public and private funds for land protection, research land ownership information for tracts identified as potential acquisition projects and prepare documents for internal approvals. They respond to protection inquiries and screen potential protection projects. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU
The Director of Protection is responsible for leading land protection work for Kentucky and cooperating with larger teams within the Appalachians Program and Southern U.S. Division on highest priority land protection goals. This position will oversee all stages of protection (origination, preparation of project abstracts, internal approvals, financing, issue resolution, closing). The Director of Protection will work closely with the Kentucky Director of Conservation to ensure strategic alignment of priority projects and will represent the Conservancy in relationships and negotiations with non-profit partners, government agencies and other key partners. This role will work closely and coordinate with a wide variety of Nature Conservancy staff, private individuals, public entities and corporations in support of land conservation goals.
This role is responsible for identifying and developing funding opportunities for land protection, including soliciting and monitoring government funding for land acquisition, market-based funding evaluations, private fundraising, and other creative approaches. The Director of Protection is an expert in protection techniques and resources and advises staff at partner agencies and organizations on the application of these tools for conservation advancement.
This position will maintain records related to land transactions, supervise staff as needed or as funding is available, and will periodically assist with speaking engagements, leading donor field trips, and other duties as assigned.
Establishing a protection culture of creativity, problem-solving and collaboration is a critical function of this role. Large land deals in this landscape require the ability to trouble shoot complex issues, including mineral interests, heir and surface ownership issues, active and abandoned coal permits, questions of legal and reputational risk and communicating the risks related to these complex issues to others within TNC and externally where appropriate.
What You'll Bring
- BA/BS degree in natural resources management, conservation, business, law or another related field of study and 3 years of related work experience in conservation, real estate, fundraising or other related experience.
- Real estate experience (including title work, appraisals, surveys, documentation, and closing).
- Experience in managing multiple projects and timelines.
- Experience negotiating complex agreements.
- Politically savvy and experienced in partnership development (partners, community, government).
- Critical thinking and active approach to find innovative solutions to complex challenges.
- Experience working with computers, including database management.
- Experience identifying and securing funding for land protection.
- Experience working on cross-functional teams.
- 5 or more years of related work experience in conservation, real estate, fundraising or other related experience.
- Knowledge of current trends and strategies in conservation and land protection.
- Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
- Supervisory experience.
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
AUTO SAFETY POLICY
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.
Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.
Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.
SALARY INFORMATION
The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $80,000 – 90,000 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.
APPLY NOW
To apply for job ID 56432, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ . Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org . This posting will be open until filled.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.
Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.
Salary : $80,000 - $90,000
