The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) seeks a Land Manager to provide site stewardship for our properties located in North Central Washington. The CDLT is accredited with the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) and has an excellent track record of community engagement, land protection, recreation access, and stewardship. We have an enthusiastic and committed board and over 1,600 household members who support CDLT with time, money, and connections. CDLT is headquartered in Wenatchee, North Central Washington, and offers nearby access to recreational opportunities such as hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and river sports. 
 

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Land Manager reports to the Stewardship Director and is part of the Fields Team, consisting of a Trails Project Manager, a Conservation Fellow, one or more Field Technicians, and a GIS & Data Manager shared with the acquisition team. The Land Manager is responsible for guiding the day-to-day management of over 6,000 acres of eastside Cascades forest, riparian and shrub steppe habitats, and 18 conservation easements that include >10,000 acres of agricultural ranch land. The Land Manager will lead CDLT’s efforts to ensure properties in our portfolio are managed to maintain their conservation values under the effects of climate change. 
 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Land Manager is responsible for managing CDLT properties to protect, restore, and maintain their conservation values and to support land acquisition projects. This is a collaborative working environment; Fields Team members working closely together to deliver on CDLT’s mission. This position involves hands-on participation and leadership at the Land Trust’s office in Wenatchee and field work primarily in Chelan and Douglas counties. Responsibilities include working directly with staff, landowners, volunteers, contractors and site visitors.
 

Land Stewardship: Plan and implement land management practices with the Fields Team, external partners, and contractors consistent with LTA Standards and Practices and best available science.
• Coordinate and implement noxious weed management on CDLT-owned and managed properties.
• Develop and implement restoration projects on CDLT-owned lands.
• Provide oversight of contractors providing services such as vegetation management and forest health treatment.
• Coordinate with partners who implement salmon habitat enhancement projects on CDLTowned lands.
• Work with the GIS and Data Manager to ensure that all fee and conservation easement properties are annually monitored and properly documented
• Manage equipment, material purchases, and contracts.
• Follow CDLT procedures for third party use of CDLT lands.
Supervision: 
• Recruit, hire and train Field Technicians, providing excellent support with emphasis on clear communication, shared objectives, and mutual respect. 
• Regularly inform stakeholders including coworkers, board members, committees and partners about project developments and plans.
Land Protection:
• Collaborate with the land acquisition team (Conservation Director and Land Protection Specialist) with selection of potential acquisition projects.
• Assist with preparing stewardship plans for fee properties, baseline documentation for conservation easements, and stewardship contribution needs, as requested.
Partnerships and Outreach: 
• Develop and sustain relationships with partner organizations that collaborate with CDLT stewardship activities. Organize, train and supervise volunteers on land management work parties.
• Participate in public presentations and events, occasionally on evenings and weekends.
• Respond to questions and comments from the public, partners and the board with grace and tact.
Administration and Data Support:
• Work with the Stewardship Director to set an annual work plan and stewardship budget.
• Assist with preparing and evaluating contractor requests for proposals.
• Utilize stewardship restricted funds and coordinate grant billing with the Accounting Manager.
• Apply for and manage grants for stewardship activities. 
• Document restoration and land management work in ArcGIS Online stewardship and land databases. 
 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• A personal commitment to conservation, equity and inclusion
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and experience working in collaborative partnerships.
• A strong plant identification skillset. 
• At least five years of work experience in land management-related work.
• A combination of education and work experience in environmental science, fire ecology, riparian habitat restoration, botany, natural resource management, wildlife biology, restoration science, or related fields.
• A firm grasp of the ecology of the eastern Cascades ecoregion, its vegetation types, seasonal climates, and natural disturbances.
• Discretion working on confidential projects.
• Use of a variety of technology platforms, including ESRI ArcGIS programs and Microsoft 365, spreadsheet programs, and other forestry and field measurement devices.
• Tact, patience, and a sense of humor in working with a diverse array of colleagues and landowners.
• Valid driver’s license
• Comfort with working outside in a variety of forest, stream and shrub steppe environments. The individual will use CDLT vehicles to travel to preserve locations, most in Chelan and Douglas counties. Field work requires standing, walking, carrying a spray backpack, hiking steep and uneven terrain, lifting up to 40 pounds, and using a variety of hand tools. Vision and hearing in normal ranges are necessary.

To Apply:
Applications will be reviewed as received, with priority given to applications received by February 17, 2025. Please send a cover letter and résumé. Email complete application materials to: angela@cdlandtrust.org
 

Salary and Benefits:
We offer a competitive salary consistent with LTA practices, with excellent benefits, including group medical and dental insurance, travel reimbursement, training opportunities, 30 days of paid holiday and vacation time, and a simple IRA with employer match. Salary level depends upon experience and is $60,000 – 75,000 per year for 40 hours per week.