| Job Description: |
Location: Everett, WADepartment: Conservation Department
Type: Full TimeMin. Experience: Mid Level
Reports To: Senior Managing Director, Conservation
Location: North Puget Sound, based in Snohomish County
Position Type: Full-time, Salaried, Exempt
Benefits: Eligible, Class II
Position Summary
The Conservation Director is an integral entrepreneurial position at Forterra. Conservation Directors are expected to become regional leaders for our organization by engaging with local government, state leaders and agencies, tribes, business leaders, and local community leaders to generate opportunities to advance Forterra’s programs, Cascade and Olympic Agenda conservation goals, and policy strategies. This position is responsible for significant revenue generation through innovative conservation transactions, fee-for-service consulting services, and locating business opportunities in the arenas of stewardship, planning, and community place-making. The Conservation Director also takes the lead on projects and programs of regional significance. Frequent travel throughout the Puget Sound region and evening and weekend work is required.
Specific Duties
1. Land Conservation - approximately 50% of work hours; all other activities are in support of direct land conservation.
- Land Conservation and Community Projects – strategically identify conservation and community projects based on the strategies of the Cascade and Olympic Agendas, sound financial analysis, and Forterra’s strategic plan.
- Work with landowners, regulatory authorities, and others to develop an optimal community or conservation objective, approach, and financial strategy for each proposed project. Activities to accomplish this may include:
- Participating in design and implementation of conservation strategies
- Participating in community planning or development processes
- Preparing business plans for transformational projects outlining concept, critical elements, impediments, major milestones, work plan, and financial pro-forma
- Consulting with public bodies such as county and city planning commissions, conservation committees, regional commissions, and others regarding specific conservation projects.
- Developing project-specific funding strategies
- Negotiating with landowners and other stakeholders to develop a transaction that meets multiple objectives
- Working with Conservation Department team members on due diligence, transactional, and closing phases
- Working with Policy Department team members on community policy and design issues
- Working with Stewardship Department team members on restoration and stewardship planning
- Work with Forterra’s partners and local trustee groups to advance Cascade and Olympic Agenda projects.
- Seek out and develop clients, both private and public, who control or have an interest in landscape scale conservation, smart growth, and community approaches to conservation.
- Respond to inquiries from landowners and interested communities.
- Participate in Conservation Department annual planning and strategic conservation initiatives.
2. Cascade and Olympic Agendas - approximately 25% of work hours
- Meet and work with local community groups, county and city government, conservation commissions, and ad hoc conservation groups to advance the Olympic and Cascade Agendas and to develop opportunities.
- Meet regularly and engage with Forterra’s Trustee groups, employing their local knowledge, contacts, and resources to implement goals and to shape policy in recognition of local conditions.
- Work with local land trust partners to gain insight into conservation needs and efforts within the community, and establish broad support for the Olympic and Cascade Agendas.
- Provide technical support to cooperating organizations; coordinate and collaborate with government and conservation organizations on specific Olympic and Cascade Agenda projects.
- Upon request and in coordination with the Conservation Department team and Forterra’s Senior Vice President of Programs, provide assistance in the development of internal and external conservation strategies and policy to advance the Olympic and Cascade Agendas.
3. Other Areas of Responsibility - approximately 25% of work hours
- Public Relations and Education, including workshops and presentations, and maintaining relationships with allied professionals.
- Membership/financial development, including working with Forterra’s outreach and development staff on fundraising, membership development, and events.
- Presentations to Board of Directors and Committees on relevant issues and program activities.
- Administrative work, including preparation of annual work plans, budget, and maintenance of project records, etc.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, natural resources, and/or environmental policy/affairs or related field. Advanced degree preferred.
- Ability to develop positive working relationships with a variety of stakeholders from across the political spectrum including multiple partner agencies/organizations, elected officials, community supporters, staff, and volunteers.
- Experience with public and private land conservation techniques, real estate, land use, and forestry. Legal and planning knowledge preferred.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including negotiation and public speaking.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising and grant writing for programs.
- Demonstrates resourcefulness and strong problem-solving skills.
- Ability to organize and manage diverse activities and set priorities.
- Flexible and able to work well under pressure, with limited direct supervision.
- Ability to work some non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends (with comp time).
- Valid, insurable driver’s license/record.
Travel, Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
This position is subject to indoor environmental conditions typical to a professional office setting. The essential physical requirements of this position include:
- Ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
- Ability to sit, stand, or otherwise remain in a stationary position at a computer workstation for the majority of the work day.
- Ability to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, etc.
- Ability to constantly operate a computer and other office equipment such as calculators, copy machines, and printers.
- Ability to communicate accurately with co-workers, clients, and members of the general public about Forterra’s work.
- Frequent travel across Snohomish County. Regular travel to the northern portion of the Olympic Peninsula and the Seattle office.
|
