Job Type          Permanent

Salary Details  $65,000-&75,000

Oregon Agricultural Trust (OAT) seeks an experienced, passionate Rangeland Conservation Lead to work in a team to protect Oregon’s agricultural lands with a focus on rangeland in SE Oregon, and to establish OAT’s farm and ranch land conservation priorities and technical assistance program. Position duties include: conserving ag land with a focus on Malheur, Harney, and Lake Counties; identifying and building community partnerships; stewarding and monitoring conserved farms and ranches until dedicated stewardship staff is hired; providing technical assistance on working land preservation to other organizations and; participating in conservation planning.

About Us

Oregon Agricultural Trust (OAT) is a statewide land trust that partners with farmers and ranchers to protect agricultural lands for the benefit of Oregon’s economy, communities, and landscapes.  We work collaboratively with regional and statewide partners to hold agricultural easements and ag land in fee title, with a focus on 4 priority geographies: central and south Willamette Valley, the Columbia River Gorge, the north coast, and southeastern Oregon.  We also partner with regional leaders to:

  • educate farmers, ranchers, service providers, and the public about preserving and passing on agricultural land;
  • increase the capacity of partner organizations to preserve agricultural land for production; and
  • advocate for programs and incentives that support agricultural land preservation.

Position Description

Status: Full-time or option for .75 FTE (exempt).

Compensation: Starting salary $65,000 – $75,000 for 1 FTE plus benefits, DOE.

Reports to: Oregon Agricultural Trust’s Executive Director.

Direct reports: None.

The Rangeland Conservation Lead is the second member of OAT’s Ag Land team. Responsibilities include:

Land Protection

  • Identifying, developing, and completing ag land protection projects, primarily on rangeland and in priority areas of southeastern Oregon. This includes: landowner outreach, project assessment, negotiation and closing, meeting state/federal tax requirements, and preparing baseline documentation;
  • Identifying and pursuing grants and other funding for: land and conservation easement acquisitions, outreach and prospecting, and (in some cases) general operating support;
  • Developing and sustaining partner and landowner relationships; and
  • Partnering with other conservation staff to coordinate the Land Committee.

Program Development

  • Participating in conservation planning in 2021, and strategic and communications planning in 2023; and
  • Partnering with other conservation staff to prepare maps and data to inform planning, outreach, land protection projects, and stewardship efforts.

Stewardship and Enforcement

  • Conducting monitoring and stewardship activities until OAT has sufficient acquisitions to justify stewardship staff; and
  • Leading the resolution of easement violations and interpretation disagreements.

Generally

  • Working cooperatively with colleagues, Directors, and Committee members;
  • Staying current on local, regional, and national land trust topics and issues; and
  • Ensuring compliance with land protection and stewardship policies and procedures.

Qualifications

  • 5-8 years land conservation experience;
  • Understanding of the methods and best practices for ag land conservation and stewardship;
  • Passion for agricultural land, its preservation, and agricultural communities;
  • Excitement for developing a new program at a new land trust, and openness to making program adjustments based on new experience and information;
  • Interested in participating in all aspects of ag land preservation and access by the next generation. Willing to assist other staff when needed; and
  • Experienced user of Microsoft office suite, ArcGIS and GPS technology;

Experience and Skills

  • Experience conserving rangeland in partnership with ranchers is strongly preferred;
  • Track record of successful project management;
  • Track record of identifying, developing, and closing agricultural conservation easements and/or fee acquisitions. Able to manage multiple projects and competing priorities;
  • Track record of resolving conservation easement violations or similar conflict resolution;
  • Experience building and sustaining partnerships with other organizations;
  • Strong strategic thinking abilities;
  • Experience developing and implementing conservation, strategic, or other organizational plans and policies;
  • Strong spoken and written communications skills;
  • Ability to communicate well with and gain the trust of agricultural landowners;
  • Willingness to work with people from diverse backgrounds;
  • Flexible, creative, self-starter; and
  • Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adept at prioritizing tasks.

Working Conditions

  • OAT’s staff work remotely, with in-person Team Meetings every other week.
  • As necessary, must be able to work before/after normal business hours and some weekends.
  • Frequent automobile travel throughout SE Oregon and other regions, including overnight travel.
  • While most position responsibilities are conducted by computer, outdoor walking on rough terrain will be required for site visits and stewardship and monitoring activities.

HOW TO APPLY

Open until filled.  Interviews will start no later than November 9, 2020. Submit résumé and cover letter in one pdf to Nellie McAdams, Executive Director, via email to jobs@oregonagtrust.org.  Please refer any questions to this email address as well.  No phone calls, please.

OAT is an equal opportunity employer. We do not to discriminate against any employee or job applicant because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or age.