Land Conservation Specialist

The Land Conservation Specialist at Stafford County, VA is responsible for managing the County’s Land Conservation and Purchase of Development Rights Program. Key duties include providing technical expertise, overseeing program funding, leading conservation planning, managing budgets, and coordinating with various stakeholders. The position requires advanced knowledge of conservation practices and real estate transactions. The salary range is from $71,052.80 to $124,342.40 based on experience.
Job Description

The Land Conservation Specialist position is responsible for managing the County’s Land Conservation and Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program and related aspects. This position provides technical expertise and policy guidance to County staff, elected officials, and landowners. This position also provides an oversight of program funding, and recommendations for program improvements and expansion. Does related work as required. Work is performed under general supervision.

The hiring range for this position is from $71,052.80 to $97,697.60 based on experience.

The full salary range for this position is from $71,052.80 to $124,342.40 to provide opportunity for growth and development.

Examples of Duties
• Functions as the Primary staff person for County land conservation efforts;
• Leads conservation planning, outreach, and analysis for new conservation;
• Identifies, develops, and completes land protection projects and initiatives in and around the County;
• Oversees the successful acquisition and effective stewardship of conservation easements and related real estate transactions;
• Coordinates with property owners and their attorneys, County attorneys, and grant agencies regarding deed preparation;
• Actively seeks and leads efforts on grant funding for project and staff support, and oversees grant management;
• Coordinates and manages budgets for conservation program in conjunction with other staff and agencies;
• Coordinates and manages contracts for easement/property appraisals;
• Develops baseline documentation reports for new easements/properties;
• Ensures all easements are monitored on an annual basis in conjunction with other staff and agencies;
• Maintains and updates materials relevant to the easement acquisition process;
• Updates the County’s PDR ordinance/program, as needed;
• Coordinates and oversees partnership agreements with Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (NVCT) or other agencies regarding conservation of properties;
• Collaborates on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) strategic planning layer to develop criteria for property/easement acquisitions;
• Assists with development of Comprehensive Plan policies and implementation with regard to mitigation of environmental impacts from development;
• Oversees the County’s Transfer of Developments Rights (TDR) Program, including processing and reviewing TDR applications;
• Provides staff support to the Agricultural and Land Conservation Committee;
• Supports agricultural related activities and programs, including farmers markets and agri-business;
• Assists with efforts by Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and NVCT staff on projects associated with land additions to Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve;
• Develops and sustains partner and landowner relations, working cooperatively with stewardship and other land conservation colleagues, as well as with other members of the land conservation community;
• Presents regular land conservation program updates to the Board of Supervisors;
• Performs related tasks as requested.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Advanced knowledge of conservation practices and principles including but not limited to agriculture, forestry, conservation biology, or similar fields;
• Strong understanding of real estate transactions and conservation finance;
• General knowledge of urban planning, land development, and engineering practices;
• Exceptional negotiation skills;
• Effective and professional verbal and written communications including editing;
• Exceptional interpersonal and collaboration skills;
• High level of organization with the ability to successfully manage multiple projects;
• Ability to work independently;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional colleagues, employees and representatives of other public agencies.

Education and Experience

A combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university, preferably with major coursework in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management or related field and 5 years of experience with land conservation programs or related. A master’s degree is preferred. Previous leadership/supervisory experience or training is desired, this may include completion of training courses focused on leadership or supervisory development. Proficiency with ArcGIS is preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of a driver's license valid in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This is light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Work requires stooping, standing, walking, and repetitive motions. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, use of measuring devices, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities. The worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, noise, vibration, hazards, and atmospheric conditions.