Land Acquisitions Project Manager

Reports to: Executive Director

Location: California; Requires maintaining a home office

Position Type: Permanent Full-time (1.0 FTE); Exempt (Salaried)

Compensation: $105,000 - $115,000

Additional Stipends: Approximately $6,000 annually for home office and phone stipends

Benefits: Includes, but is not limited to, 11 paid holidays annually; three weeks of vacation annually (progressive); sick leave; substantial employer contribution to health insurance plan; dental and vision plans; employer contribution to retirement plan

About the Role

The Land Acquisitions Project Manager (Acquisitions Manager) is responsible for coordinating and implementing the Center for Natural Lands Management's (CNLM) conservation land acquisitions program. Working closely with CNLM's acquisitions team (including the Executive Director, Director of Administration, General Counsel, and preserve managers), the Acquisitions Manager coordinates the team, manages the acquisitions process, and ensures acquisitions projects are fully vetted, kept on schedule, and are well documented. They will ensure that sound and ethical real estate practices are observed, that CNLM's Acquisitions Policy is adhered to, and that other guidelines, such as those provided by the National Land Trust Alliance, are followed as appropriate. As CNLM's property acquisitions (in fee and conservation easements) are typically the result of mitigation requirements, the Acquisitions Manager will work with regulatory agencies and permittees to ensure all parties understand the project structure and CNLM's role(s). CNLM's mitigation-related acquisitions are characterized by properties that are high in conservation value, include perpetual responsibilities, and well documented. While other members of the CNLM acquisitions team typically visit the property, conduct the perpetual cost analysis, and prepare templates for legal documents, the Acquisitions Manager will populate document templates appropriately for each project, determine the budget for transactional activities, and serve as the main point of contact with the landowner/permittee. The Acquisitions Manager should be prepared to conduct title reviews, coordinate the recording of documents, and record the progress of each project and its associated decisions and decisions. When not managing current acquisition projects, the Acquisitions Manager will also be involved in pursuing more strategic partnerships towards increasing acquisitions opportunities and working with CNLM staff and partners towards resolving extrinsic threats to our land trust's role in perpetual conservation.

About the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM)

The Center for Natural Lands Management was founded in 1990 to serve a specific niche in the conservation community: a land trust that could professionally manage sensitive habitats and endangered species in the wild, determine the long-term costs of this service, and provide responsible management of both the natural and financial resources in perpetuity. This mission focus brought us into relationship with both the regulatory and regulated communities. Currently with a staff of 60 conservation-committed professionals representing natural resource management, legal, financial, and administrative skills, CNLM has permanently protected 80,000 acres of important conservation lands in California, Washington, and Oregon.

What You'll Do

Land Acquisition Project Management

• Manage and coordinate all stages of acquisitions from initial landowner contact through escrow closing, coordinating closely with other CNLM legal, financial, stewardship, and administrative staff.
• Serve as main point of contact for landowners and permittees and support the acquisition process through appropriate communications.
• Initiate and schedule meetings and other communications as appropriate with external parties (such as permittees, regulatory agencies, landowners, conservation bankers) and CNLM acquisition team.
• Quality control and risk management: Ensure CNLM's acquisition policies and practices are implemented through appropriate screening and documentation of acquisition opportunities, risk assessment, and preparation of contracts and proposals.
• Prepare acquisitions-related documents (e.g., consulting services agreements, endowment management agreements, purchase and sale agreements, conservation easements, escrow instructions, etc.) using CNLM templates and modifying as needed.
• Conduct specific property-related tasks such as title review, property tax review and application for exemptions, district fee obligations, CC&R review, recording documents with County offices, etc.
• Maintain (or establish new) project tracking system to ensure the status of each acquisition project is known at all times and that information is accessible to acquisition team members.
• Maintain all project records and summarize data on CNLM acquisitions for use in planning and project status review.
• Prepare internal documents to inform the Board of Directors and to obtain their authorization for real estate and associated financial transactions, including project summaries and acquisition resolutions.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned.

Planning, Partnerships, and Collaboration

• Expand CNLM relationships with the conservation (including regulatory and permittee) community with a focus on cultivating appropriate acquisitions opportunities.
• Use spatial data and tools to assist with acquisitions planning.
• Investigate and brief executive staff on developments or trends that may affect acquisition opportunities.
• Represent CNLM as appropriate at meetings and other events with agencies, permittees, landowners, grantors, conservation community, and members of the public.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's or higher degree; A master's degree in a position-related discipline or law degree is preferred.
• At least five years of successful experience in land acquisition/real estate, natural resource conservation, urban or land-use planning, conservation design, or similar fields.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills are required; ability to prepare detailed documents that are accurate and effective for real estate transactions.
• Knowledge of real estate transactions through appropriate experience and/or education including escrow closings, title insurance, surveys, deeds, leases, and title reports.
• Some familiarity with (California State and/or federal) environmental permitting is strongly preferred (e.g., endangered species, protected wetlands, etc.).
• Experience in project management that assures clear deliverables and deadlines, a detailed project schedule, defined roles and responsibilities, reasonable budget projection and maintenance, and a communication plan that together keep the project moving forward.
• Demonstrated ability to engage professionally and responsibly with multiple parties to achieve project completion (e.g., regulatory agencies, permittees, title companies, conservation bankers, various other government entities, etc.).
• Ability to represent CNLM professionally and effectively in meetings and public events.
• Proven self-starter, able to work efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision, and able to appropriately use initiative to meet project goals, seeking advice and policy guidance when needed and appropriate.
• Proficiency with Windows operating systems and PC applications such as Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work with spatial data, interpret maps, and some GIS proficiency.
• Ability to operate from a home office.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and safe driving record.
• Ability to travel in relation to real estate opportunities, meetings, and CNLM events.

Additional Position Information

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. CNLM management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs, as necessary.

CNLM is an Equal Opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen on the based on ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between CNLM and the employee and is subject to change by CNLM as the needs of the CNLM and requirements of the job change.