Cheyenne, WY

Position Title: Conservation Director

Organization: Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust

Location: Cheyenne, WY

Position Overview: The Conservation Director is a member of the leadership team, providing strategic vision and direction for advancing agricultural conservation across Wyoming. The ideal candidate is passionate about conserving agricultural land, wildlife habitats, and open spaces and will use a range of tools to achieve our mission through strategic partnerships, conservation easements, and land stewardship projects. The Conservation Director oversees staff and a portfolio of conservation easement projects, including managing due diligence, grant writing, and other elements of the transaction process. The Conservation Director also oversees the coordination of stewardship for existing conservation easements. Candidates should possess supervisory and communication skills, real estate transaction expertise, experience working with landowners and conservation partners, project management skills, and knowledge of agriculture and natural resources.

Duties:

Leadership Responsibilities and Staff Management:

• This position will supervise conservation staff, fostering a collaborative work environment.
  
• Responsible for leading the land trust’s work in identifying, developing, and closing conservation easement projects.
• The Conservation Director will work with the Executive Director to evaluate programs and staff.

Land Protection Program Management:

• Lead the conservation team and manage the portfolio of conservation easement projects.
  
• Work with landowners and land trust staff to identify conservation goals, timelines, and
  overcome project challenges.
  
• Ensure transaction excellence while coordinating project due diligence, collaboratively
  drafting legal documents, and closing projects.
  
• Work with land trust staff to develop fundraising strategies for conservation easement
  projects and manage project budgets.
  
• Coordinate with landowners, land trust staff, and contractors to execute projects,
  including managing appraisals, surveys, title reports, and assessments.
•  Ensure project/data management system (Salesforce) is up-to-date and provide
  improvement recommendations as needed.
  
• Ensure excellence and adherence to internal policies and external requirements, including alignment with the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices.
  
• Promote and further the mission of the land trust, relationship building.
  
• Collaboratively develop strategic conservation goals and objectives.
  
• Communicate the importance of working land conservation.
  
• Provide support to land trust outreach staff, including communications and fundraising.
• Compose reports and serve as staff to the Board of Directors Conservation Committee, present program priorities and project management information.

Stewardship Support:

• Collaborate with the stewardship staff and other land trust staff to support stewardship
  activities on conservation easements (over 3000,000 acres).
  
• Assist with reserved rights requests and resolution of conservation easement violations
  in a timely and professional manner, consistent with land trust policy.

Qualifications:

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Master’s degree (J.D. also acceptable)
  
• Professional experience of 5+ years in land protection/conservation easement transactions, with a proven record of managing complex projects.
  
• Previous supervisory experience and experience in a leadership role. Demonstrated success in supervising teams and navigating organizational growth and change.
  
• Exhibits strong interpersonal skills rooted in teamwork, diplomacy, and respect with a
  commitment to working collaboratively.
  
• Experience writing, managing, and reporting on public and private grants.
  
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with landowners, external stakeholders, partners, funders, land trust staff and others to achieve common goals.
  
• Able to think strategically, develop and manage complex projects from start to completion, stay accountable to deadlines and teammates, manage confidential information, and adopt new approaches in response to changing circumstances.
  
• Intentionally shares power through decision-making, clear definition of roles and
  responsibilities, and effective delegation.
  
• Familiarity in real estate transactions including appraisals, title work, due diligence, and closings.
  
• Enthusiasm for and willingness to travel extensively in Wyoming’s rural and rugged landscapes. Some overnight travel, particularly during the summer months.

Salary/Pay: $75,000 – $85,000 annually

Application Deadline: This position is open until filled. Review of applications will begin on January 20, 2025

How to Apply: To apply, please submit resume, cover letter (.pdf) and three references via email to kendra@wsglt.org, with the subject line “Conservation Director Application.”