Land Protection Specialist

Our current Land Protection Specialist is sadly moving on to a new career.  Pee Dee Land Trust is seeking a highly motivated staff member to join our team.

Employer:  Pee Dee Land Trust (PDLT). Pee Dee Land Trust’s mission is to conserve, and to promote an appreciation of, the significant natural, agricultural, and historical resources of the Pee Dee Watershed in South Carolina.  The organization has traditionally used educational activities and voluntary conservation easements as its primary tools to pursue its mission.  The land trust has partnered with private landowners to permanently protect 108 conservation easement properties that span across 11 counties encompassing over 42,000 acres.  In addition, PDLT owns and manages two properties totaling 267 acres.  Read more about the organization at www.peedeelandtrust.org

Job Summary:  The Land Protection Specialist (LPS) will work with the Director of Land Conservation and Land Protection Associate on all aspects of PDLT’s land conservation programming.  The LPS will be responsible for all aspects of Geographic Information Systems uses and all aspects of land-related data to support land conservation, strategic planning and outreach.  The position will include a focus on creating maps, tools and reports to be used for landowner outreach, new project development and stewardship.  The LPS will assist in the field to conduct annual monitoring visits, baseline reports and general field work. This position reports directly to the Director of Land Conservation and works closely with the Land Conservation Associate, Land Protection Committee and Executive Director.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Generate maps utilizing ArcGIS Pro software
• Write narratives for reports and presentations
• Enter, organize, analyze, and extract data using Landscape Conservation Software
• Monitor PDLT held conservation easement properties, including on-site field work, documentation of existing conditions, land use changes, and/or violations; prepare monitoring reports to be sent to landowners
• Conduct Baseline assessments for new conservation easement projects, including on-site field work
• Work with staff to assist in the preparation and writing of grants associated with land projects
• Provide support to Director of Land Conservation, Land Protection Associate and Land Protection Committee (LPC) including:  preparing project reports on all property under consideration, take minutes, distribute meeting materials, and following up on assigned tasks
• Work with Land Protection Staff to conduct outreach to landowners and new project development across PDLT’s 9-county focus area
• Review and prepare reports, documents and forms related to easement and land transactions according to PDLT policies and Land Trust Alliance standards and practices

This job description does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be expected to perform other duties as requested by the supervisor.

Time Commitment:  This is a full-time, forty-hour a week, salaried position with occasional evening and weekend work required.

Location:  Pee Dee Watershed of South Carolina, office currently located in downtown Florence, SC.  Travel required, mostly within 120 mile-radius (Pee Dee Watershed of SC). 

Salary/Benefits/work environment:  This is a leanly-staffed, fast-paced office whose staff has enthusiasm for the mission and tasks of the Land Trust. Leadership makes every attempt to give staff the tools needed for excellent results. We are seeking an effective, productive, and enjoyable member to add to the team.

Salary range $45k-$55k starting salary, commensurate with experience, knowledge, skills and performance. Benefits include stipend for cell phone use, travel reimbursement at the federal rate, flexible schedule, paid holidays, accrued vacation and sick time, Health Reimbursement Account, and employee Simple IRA match up to 3% of salary.

Working Conditions:  The position includes 60% time spent in an office setting at a computer desk.  This position includes 40% light to moderate work in the field during all seasons including potential exposure to extreme temperatures, wind, and rain. 

The position may include, but will not be limited to, the following activities: Climbing, ascending or descending ladders, stairs and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Stooping. Bending of the body, spine and waist.  Sitting for long periods of time.  Walking and moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances.  Lifting which requires substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles.  Heavy work of exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently. Repetitive motion involving substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.  Exposure to extreme heat/cold in temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for periods of more than two hours.  Exposure to environment conditions such as wind, rain and humidity. Activities may exceed that which is required for standard locomotion.  

Successful candidates will be required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing / viewing a computer terminal, extensive reading; visual inspection inclusive of operation of small machines, using measurement devices; and/or visual inspection at distances close to the eyes.

Pee Dee Land Trust is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, pregnancy, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or genetic information.

Application Instructions: Send letter of interest (1-3 pages) and resume or c.v. to Lyles Cooper, Executive Director, Pee Dee Land Trust, 448 West Cheves Street, Florence, SC 29501 or lclyles@peedeelandtrust.org.  

Application Process:  Applications will be received until May 24, 2024; Zoom interviews, followed by in-person interviews and professional references will be required for finalists. The anticipated start date is as early as June 1, 2024 (flexible).  All applicants with complete application packages will be notified by email of interview and hiring decision.