Northeast Field Representative

Location: Litchfield, CT or Similar Region

The Northeast Program focuses on the six New England states and New York (with a small presence in New Jersey as well).  There are nearly 600 land trusts in the region representing a third of all land trusts in the country.  Regional, state-wide and national land conservation organizations along with smaller community-based land trusts (which make up over half of all land trusts in the seven states) have collectively conserved over 8 million acres in the region, Throughout the area land trusts are working to support and enhance their communties special resources whether its the inner-city gardens of the Bronx, the working waterfront of Maine or the drinking water supply of northwest Connecticut.

Summary of Position: The Northeast Field Representative plays a leadership role in delivering the Alliance’s Northeast Program focused on building strong land trusts and accelerating the pace and quality of land conservation across the region.  Primary responsibilities include: managing and delivering organizational assessments based on Land Trust Standards and Practices and the Alliance’s “Assessing Your Organization” tool; mentoring and coaching land trusts to build their organizational capacity; delivering trainings at local, state and national events; and working with state level partners to advance the work of land trusts across the region.  Initially 50% of program delivery time will be focused in Connecticut with responsibilities as well in Maine, New York and New Jersey.  (Information on current Northeast Programs can be found at www.landtrustalliance.org/community/northeast) Location of program delivery responsibilities within the region will evolve over time.  In addition, occasionally she/he will work closely with other Alliance staff, both regionally and nationally, on specific project teams.  The full-time position requires 37.5 hours per week with frequent travel across the Northeast and some weekend work and travel.  She/he is supervised by the Northeast Director.

Responsibilities:

• Organizational Development: Provide leadership in implementing the Alliance’s coaching, mentoring and land trust assessment programs, including delivery of guided organizational assessments to individual land trusts. This includes meeting one-on-one with land trust staff and board of directors to undertake full guided organizational assessments as well as making recommendations about organizational development and land conservation practices that support full implementation of Land Trust Standards and Practices. Also, coordinate and manage contractors used by the Alliance in delivering organizational assessments and other related technical assistance;
• Coalitions: Participate as a representative of the Alliance in various state and regionally based land trust coalitions throughout the Northeast, working in partnership to support the mission of the coalitions by connecting available Alliance tools and resources with coalition needs and priorities;
• Trainings: Work with Northeast and National staff to implement the Alliance’s training programs including evaluating the topics, speakers and locations for Alliance training events (this includes coordinating meeting logistics), developing new workshops that respond to identified training needs in conjunction with Alliance staff and experienced practitioners, assisting with the design of new and efficient ways to deliver training to land trusts, and delivering trainings as appropriate at state, regional and national conferences;
• Land Trust Alliance Project Teams: Work occasionally with other regional and national Alliance staff on internal project teams to identify, evaluate and update/revise current program activities;
• Communications: Work occasionally with the Alliance’s regional and national staff to coordinate Alliance communications in the Northeast. This includes developing and submitting articles for Alliance publications and website to promote the Alliance’s work;
• Ambassadorship: Continually build and maintain strong partnerships with the land trust community across the region, identifying emerging needs of the community and opportunities for the continual improvement of Alliance programs to be responsive to those needs.  Represent the Alliance and present on behalf of the Alliance at select conferences, events, coalition meetings, land trust gatherings and other venues as needed;
• Administrative: Assist with meeting logistics, mailings, reporting and other administrative responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications and Attributes:

• Five years relevant experience in nonprofit organizational capacity building, land conservation project management, fundraising, communications and other relevant organizational development experience.
• Knowledge of land conservation and/or land trusts.
• Four-year degree or higher in relevant field of study preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and keen attention to detail
• Demonstrated experience organizing trainings and/or event planning
• Computer proficiency (Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Powerpoint required)
• Flexibility, creativity, ability to work under pressure and on a deadline
• Good sense of humor and commitment to mission of the Land Trust Alliance
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule including occasional nights and weekends
• A demonstrated ability to produce multiple assignments on deadline

Compensation:

The Land Trust Alliance offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Application Procedure:

Please send your resume and cover letter to: Dee Perkins, Human Resources Manager, Land Trust Alliance, 1660 L Street, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036, or via e-mail to hr@lta.org.  The Land Trust Alliance actively seeks to attract an ethnically and racially diverse staff.  This position will remain open until filled.