Virginia Director of Land Management

Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
VA202

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

The Virginia Director of Land Management (DLM) works collaboratively with other Virginia Chapter staff-as well as private landowners, natural resource agencies, tribes, and other partners where appropriate-to establish and execute a vision for preserve management, visitation, conservation easement monitoring, and volunteer engagement to advance organizational goals. This includes work on the preserve disposition process to divest non-strategic fee and easement assets, active participation in our mature, state-wide prescribed fire program, and oversight of the Chapter’s participation in TNC’s overall accreditation by the Land Trust Alliance. They provide science review and approve stewardship budgets for new land protection projects along with the terms of conservation easements. They develop and manage annual budgets and work to secure needed resources for stewardship activities. The DLM provides direct supervision to several stewardship staff. They cultivate a collaborative, inclusive and trusting team environment. They ensure central stewardship staff feel connected to the broader Chapter, and work closely with the Deputy Director and others to ensure stewardship is appropriately considered and reflected in Chapter plans and priorities. They directly engage in land management activities, including prescribed fire, and support the coordination of engagement strategies to preserve-based stewardship efforts. The DLM works closely with other staff to ensure all monitoring and related obligations are met in a timely fashion.

• They will work closely with the Deputy Director, Director of Landscape Conservation, and program managers to achieve integration of central stewardship and landscape programs.
• They manage staff with responsibility for performance management, training and development.
• They delegate responsibility and authority to staff and clearly define expectations. Establishes clear directions and sets stretch objectives.
• They oversee maintenance and management of stewardship team’s vehicle and equipment cache.
• Set and meet programmatic goals and objectives in ways that support equitable outcomes.
• Work closely with finance, grants and philanthropy teams to identify, secure and manage operating funds from private and public sources.
• Practice analytical, strategic and systems-level thinking.
• Lead and manage team to support and improve conservation efforts.
• Establish and maintain optimal standards of performance for the program while controlling costs and administering budgets.
• Responsible for ensuring that public and private funds are raised to meet program needs.
• Build cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Frequently make independent decision based on analysis, experience, and context

• BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads and finances under deadlines.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies
• Experience in prescribed burning, including the ability to pass an arduous pack test within six months of starting employment
• Experience with principles of ecological management
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, ArcGIS.
• Experience negotiating.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

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.

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.

To apply for job ID 530008, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on March 19, 2023. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

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.

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.

Where legally permissible, TNC requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated and willing to keep up to date with vaccines that protect against COVID-19. By accepting an offer of employment, you agree to comply with this requirement, unless you are entitled to a legally mandated exemption.

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.