Project Manager Job Description

Project Manager:
Reporting to and working closely with the Senior Program Manager, the Project Manager will be responsible for advancing conservation projects including assisting with the implementation of ASA’s growing state-funded purchase of development projects, managing ASA’s geographic systems capacity (pursuant to organizational budget and staffing constraints), and designing and implementing as part of an organizational team a wide variety of conservation and outreach projects as outlined below.  The Project Manager will incorporate the practice and promotion of the Agricultural Stewardship Association’s (ASA) core values, which include respect, teamwork, accountability, problem-solving, a “can do” attitude and professionalism to the following core areas:

Responsibilities:

Conservation Projects:

  • Undertakes all aspects of conservation easement work including: identifying and evaluating potential projects, conducting site assessments, assessing funding needs, easement drafting, land planning, handling negotiations, conducting landowner outreach and correspondence, reviewing title work, commissioning surveys and appraisals, managing and closing projects, assisting with and reviewing baseline documentation reports as necessary.  Works on a variety of conservation easement programs including state and privately funded purchase of development rights, bargain sales, and donated easements.  Creates project budgets and responsible for tracking all associated costs including staff time.  Will undertake other tasks, as requested, related to implementation of conservation projects.
  • Develops, implements and/or assists with special land protection and outreach projects in coordination with staff that increase organizational effectiveness, diversify ASA’s constituents, and raise community awareness and appreciation for ASA’s work and organizational values.  
  • Prepares conservation easement summary sheets for board and committee review as well as presenting potential projects to the board at board meetings, including the creation of PowerPoint presentations, etc.
  • Assists in project development and implementation as requested, including conducting site and due diligence assessments, arranging appraisals, research and resolving issues.  Assists with the regular assessment of ASA’s project ranking system.  Ranks potential ASA projects pursuant to organizational goals, as needed. 
  • Works as a team to help develop overall annual program goals and timelines for ASA’s conservation program in partnership with the Executive Director (E.D.) and Senior Program Manager, including project selection, protocols, implementation, stewardship and archiving.
  • Acts as the lead person responsible for the organization’s Geographic Information System.  Streamlines and develops ASA’s GIS system pursuant to organizational capacity, goals and budgeting constraints.  Provides leadership in training other project staff as needed on ASA’s GIS program, maintains consistency and effectiveness of the GIS system and database.  Serves as the organization’s lead GIS person; provides maps as needed for board packets, easements and outreach; supervises other staff working on GIS maps.  Responsible for linking GIS and Conservation Connection and other organizational database as appropriate.  Works with the E.D., Senior Program Manager or other staff to create and implement special mapping projects as necessary.

Easement Stewardship:

  • Undertakes easement stewardship work as requested, including annual and periodic monitoring, amendments, outreach, responding to landowner (and their designees) questions, handling notification and approval requests, addressing potential and confirmed violations, and associated data management and record-keeping, and other stewardship-related tasks as requested.
  • Ensures project files within the organization are complete, including all check lists, forms and documentation necessary to meet and sustain national accreditation.  Coordinates with other staff to ensure future project files are properly implemented.

Other Responsibilities:

  • Assists in outreach and fundraising efforts to enhance program funding and overall organizational effectiveness, including drafting grant proposals, particularly state farmland protection grants, as assigned.
  • Provides support for the Board and related committees as requested by Senior Program Manager or E.D.; arranges educational and training opportunities for board and staff as needed.
  • Represents ASA within the community through a presence in local, statewide and national meetings, coalitions, and task forces and committees.  Assists ASA in promoting collaborative working relationships and convey opportunities to expand ASA’s networking opportunities and partnerships.  Assists ASA in keeping current on conservation trends, easement drafting techniques, long-term easement stewardship trends for funding, administration, and landowner relationships, and connecting people to the land.
  • Supervises volunteers and consultants as requested by the E.D or Senior Program Manager.  Attends board and committee meetings as necessary.  Serves on committees and attends meetings at the request of the E.D. or Senior Program Manager.
  • Assists the E.D. and Senior Program Manager with other policy work as requested. 
  • Undertakes other tasks as assigned.

This is a full-time position reporting to the Senior Program Manager.  As a growing organization, ASA staff work both independently and as part of a team.  The Project Manager shall demonstrate team-oriented qualities including being able to work well and inspire others to embrace change for the benefit of the organization, including changes to organizational systems, budgets, community outreach and program goals.  He/she shall continually demonstrate outstanding judgment related to the organization’s programs and work, as well as its organizational capacity.  High quality written, verbal, budgeting and organizational skills including the ability to maintain attention to details, is critical.  The position requires the ability to implement organizational systems appropriate to the scale of ASA, with regular management of all project files to meet national accreditation standards.  Strong computer skills and the ability to learn additional programs to further the position’s effectiveness are required.

It is a basic requirement that the Project Manager be able to work with a diversity of farmers, landowners, technical advisors and community members to foster respect for and understanding of ASA’s conservation efforts and organizational values.  He/she must be willing to attend an average of one evening meeting per week and work with landowners on average of one Saturday or Sunday per month.

The Project Manager must be able to implement conservation projects and initiatives collaboratively, as part of an organizational team, that will further the overall organizational goals and “positioning” to build its organizational credibility and constituency base.  The position necessitates the ability to continually prioritize and manage a variety of tasks and projects simultaneously, work under periodic stressful and fast-paced conditions, manage databases and related technology, walk and hike land projects, and promote and enhance ASA’s conservation efforts in good humor.

Fundraising and related outreach activities are conducted in close coordination with, and by the request of, the E.D.  The annual work plan of this position will evolve somewhat based upon organizational priorities, workload, budget and fundraising efforts, and conservation initiatives.

The project manager will periodically participate in continuing education related to ASA’s organizational goals and this position.  A benefit package is available including vacation and holidays, sick leave, health care coverage, and retirement account contributions after one year of service.  Salary commensurate with experience, work performance and responsibilities.

Additional information:
Reports to:                   Senior Program Manager
Supervises:                  Volunteers and contractors, as requested
Salary and benefits:     Competitive salary and benefits, flexible schedule
Administrative support: Very limited.  The individual in this position must be prepared to handle his/her own correspondence, filing, and record keeping to meet national accreditation and organizational standards

Location:                     ASA’s office in Greenwich, NY.

ASA is a rapidly growing land trust working in two counties near Albany and Saratoga Springs. It is centrally located between the Capital Region, the Adirondacks and is close to Vermont and Massachusetts.

To apply, send cover letter and resume by email or fax to:
Renee Bouplon, Senior Program Manager
renee@agstewardship.org
Fax 518-692-7720
No phone calls please

Deadline for applications: November 17, 2008