Easement Monitoring and Stewardship Manager

Description

Who We Are

American Farmland Trust (AFT) is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.5 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and helped thousands of farm families make a go of it (primarily through programs that increase farm viability and/or enhance farmland access). Long a pioneering leader, AFT is now riding a new wave of growth, driven by agriculture’s most pressing needs and opportunities.

We believe diversity drives innovation. We are inclusive. We embrace differences. We recognize and respect the fundamental value and dignity of all our employees. We celebrate the unique traditions, heritages, and experiences our employees bring to the workplace. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive culture that promotes and values diversity, and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every day. Please see AFT’s statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.

Job Purpose
Reporting to the Director of Land Protection Projects, the Easement Monitoring and Stewardship Manager is responsible for monitoring and stewarding land protected by AFT. This role plays a key part in ensuring the long-term protection of agricultural lands and supports the overall functions of the Land Protection team.

Position Summary
As a vital member of AFT’s Land Protection team, the Easement Monitoring and Stewardship Manager serves as the primary point of contact for landowners, farmers, and ranchers. The Manager is responsible for monitoring AFT’s agricultural conservation easements across the U.S. and conducting stewardship activities in alignment with AFT’s policies and Land Trust Standards and Practices, ensuring sustainable use and protection of conserved lands.

Duties and responsibilities

• Manages AFT’s stewardship of its easements and other land conservation interests. Addresses landowner requests and questions related to easement terms; implements conservation easement defense standards and practices; monitors easements for compliance with agricultural conservation restrictions.
• Serves as point of contact for items related to AFT easements and easement stakeholders including, landowners, property managers, farmers and ranchers, neighbors, partner organizations and other AFT staff. Continuously works to cultivate positive working relationships with landowners.
• Responsible for on-site annual monitoring visits to AFT’s portfolio of more than 120 protected farms and ranches in approximately 25 states. Demonstrates best practices for monitoring visits and subsequent reporting.
• Work in coordination with the Land Protection Projects Director and Legal staff to address complex stewardship items such as easement interpretation, use requests and approvals, amendments, easement assignments and transfers and AFT’s response to easement violations.
• Assist with developing regenerative agricultural land management plans that complement AFT’s easement acquisitions.
• Develop parcel maps using ArcGIS Pro.
• Works closely with the Land Protection Operations Team (LP Ops) to ensure stewardship operational standards in line with the eligibility requirements for the Land Trust Alliance’s Terrafirma insurance program. Coordinates with LP Ops to ensure AFT’s easement recordkeeping and other functions are in alignment with Standards and Practices and Terrafirma.
• Actively update and maintain monitoring and stewardship CRM.
• Participate in regular meetings of the Legal and Stewardship staff to discuss pressing stewardship items and foster internal collaboration.
• Works with the Director of Land Protection and Operations team to inform resource needs as part of AFT’s annual budgeting work planning processes.
• Provides support for other AFT programmatic functions, as requested.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Experience monitoring agricultural conservation easements and working knowledge of Land Trust Standards and Practices. Familiarity with the Terrafirma easement insurance program.
• Experience with ArcGIS Pro.
• Experience with agricultural easement stewardship including annual monitoring, assignments, use approvals, easement defense and managing violations.
• Experience working with farmers and agricultural landowners. Basic knowledge of farming and ranching practices, natural resource management and farm and ranch business management.
• Experience developing climate smart/regenerative management plans.
• Excellent interpersonal, writing, and organizational skills. Knowledge of best practices for land files and electronic recordkeeping.
• Experience with land conservation software (i.e. Landscape).
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite.
• Willingness to travel frequently by air.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.
• Ability to navigate using maps and/or GPS, walk in rough, rural, and wide-open terrain, and be willing to work outdoors in all weather.

Education & Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• A minimum of two to five years’ experience with easement stewardship.

Working Conditions

• The position is remote, with a preference for candidates in the Midwest, West Coast, or Southeast, and occasional in-person check-ins at AFT offices.

• Occasional work in the evenings or on weekends may be required to meet deadlines.

• Completion of a federal background check during the initial months of employment is required for this role.
• Continued employment is contingent on successful completion of this background check.
• This Position requires extensive travel throughout country (up to 50%).

Compensation

The salary range is from $65,000 to $70,000 for full-time employees, based upon experience.

American Farmland Trust offers a full benefits package for full time employees:

• Insurance coverage begins the 1st of the month following the date of hire. 
• Medical & Prescription Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Company Paid Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Healthcare & Dependent Care
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• 401(k) with 10% match after six months of employment
• Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees accrue 3.5 hours per pay period (13 “sick days” per year).
• Vacation Leave: Accrue 15 days during the first year increasing by one day per year to 20 days per year maximum.
• Holidays: AFT observes eleven fixed holidays during the year (all offices closed) plus a choice of up to three (depending on hiring month) floating holidays.

Why you should apply:

• Be a part of a purpose-driven, committed, knowledgeable, high-performing, experienced and fun team
• A diverse and inclusive work environment
• A cause and mission you can be proud of
• Competitive compensation & benefits
• Remote work opportunities
• Flexible scheduling
   

Timeline

Applications must include a resume AND cover letter to be considered. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

We believe diversity drives innovation. We are inclusive. We embrace differences. We recognize and respect the fundamental value and dignity of all our employees. We celebrate the unique traditions, heritages, and experiences our employees bring to the workplace. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive culture that promotes and values diversity, and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every day. Please see AFT’s statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.