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25 Jan 2023

Full-Time Conservation Transaction Manager

The Pacific Forest Trust, Inc – Posted by mreillypft San Francisco, California, United States

Pacific Forest Trust logo

Job Description

About Pacific Forest Trust

Pacific Forest Trust (PFT) delivers landscape-scale private forest conservation in the West and develops innovative incentives for forest conservation at the national level. We do so in ways that reward private landowners for managing for public benefits, i.e. clean water, a healthy climate, and habitat for abundant native wildlife. Our work sustains rural communities and restores resilient forest landscapes across ownership boundaries.  PFT is recognized nationally as a leader in developing new payment systems for ecosystems services, from climate to carbon, working forest conservation easements, watershed and habitat services, and sustainable, renewable biomass energy.

PFT has led the conservation of over 350,000 acres of forestland and developed, acquired, and stewards conservation easements on 110,000 acres. PFT owns 2,100 acres and manages 14,000 acres for sustained timber, water, and habitat values. Our projects are outstanding not only for their scale, but for their landscape impacts and high standards for delivering multiple public benefits. PFT is thrice accredited by the National Land Trust Accreditation Commission. Learn more at http://www.PacificForest.org

About the Opportunity

PFT seeks a detail-oriented, collaborative, and experienced Transactions Manager to manage and help lead conservation easement and fee title acquisition projects from inception to closing.  The right candidate loves natural forest landscapes, has a knowledge of natural resource management, and sees the importance of sustaining working forests with wild qualities. They are nimble, resourceful, and have a knack for working with landowners, agencies, and community stakeholders.

This position plays a central role in implementing and managing PFT’s conservation easement and fee title acquisition projects from initial reconnaissance through closing. This includes the negotiation and development of easement terms, conducting project due diligence, managing title review and appraisal processes, contributing to grant writing and baseline development, and managing all other details related to the acquisition of working forest conservation easements and forest properties in fee. Our projects, primarily located in California and Oregon, are often large-scale and complex, and require frequent engagement with public and private partners. This position also provides overall project management consistent with PFT’s policies and procedures as an accredited land trust and publicly supported non-profit organization – and with our commitment to the highest ethical standards.

Pacific Forest Trust is headquartered in the Presidio of San Francisco, with offices in Sacramento CA; Ashland, OR and Portland, OR.  This is a full-time position, requiring frequent regional travel, and offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Project selection: Field inquiries and participate in outreach for potential projects, undertake initial project review and develop recommendations to PFT’s Director of Conservation & Stewardship and executive staff consistent with PFT procedures. Participate in developing specific terms of engagement to initiate projects.
  • Project due diligence: In collaboration with Stewardship staff, undertake project and property due diligence based on field and data review, including natural resources, infrastructure, and title; prepare conservation assessment documents with findings of conservation value.
  • Conservation easement and purchase/acquisition option development: Under the direction of the Director of Conservation & Stewardship, participate in developing recommendations for major conservation easement terms; negotiations with landowners; and drafting conservation easement documents using PFT standards and outside legal counsel.  Draft purchase option agreement.
  • Fee title acquisition: Participate in negotiation of purchase terms; prepare purchase option agreements.
  • Funding: Assist with the preparation of grant proposals; manage agency due diligence process.
  • Stakeholder engagement: Manage outreach to identified key agency and community stakeholders, including tribal interests. Organize property tours, prepare fact sheets and other outreach materials, and obtain letters of support for projects.
  • Appraisals: Manage selection of third-party qualified appraisers, contract preparation, and appraisal review process. Coordinate with landowner and funding agencies.
  • Baseline Report: Working with Stewardship staff, participate in and oversee preparation of baseline documentation reports for all acquisitions.
  • Closing: Manage all aspects of transaction closing, including preparation of final purchase documents, final title review/insurance, escrow, approvals, and execution.
  • Records: Organize and ensure proper filing and maintenance of all project documentation, records, and reports, both internally and externally with partner landowners, agencies, and counties.
  • Constituency building: Participate in PFT’s efforts broadly, providing written and graphic materials (photos/maps) as needed to promote the projects and to better advance PFT mission and programs.
  • Play a key role in PFT’s Conservation and Stewardship team.

Reports to the Director of Conservation and Stewardship, working collaboratively with the Conservation & Stewardship team.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

  • Minimum of 5 years working with a land trust in developing and completing conservation easements and fee title acquisitions.
  • Demonstrated success managing (and closing) conservation easement projects that meet the highest standards that Land Trust Accreditation requires. Be prepared to provide specific examples.
  • Relevant college degree (forestry, natural resources, conservation, biology, etc.), with training and experience in conservation real estate and/or law. Advanced training or degree in conservation and/or real estate law preferred.
  • Knowledge and training in natural resource management (especially forestry), GIS, and resource inventories/data management a plus.
  • Strong track record of collaboration and partnership with a range of diverse stakeholders to develop successful conservation projects.
  • Expertise and success in obtaining and managing grants from public sources for land and conservation easement acquisitions, especially in Oregon and California.
  • Excellent organizational and written and oral communication skills.
  • Strong initiative, perseverance, and resilience.
  • Personable and flexible.
  • Strong capacity to manage time and competing priorities; able to meet timelines/deadlines.
  • Comfortable and effective working in a small, busy organization.
  • Applicants must be able to lift 20 pounds and hike across sometimes steep or uneven terrain.
  • Committed to PFT’s mission

TRAVEL

Significant regional travel is required. Must have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

LOCATION

We are flexible but prefer to have this position work from PFT’s San Francisco office, at least initially

How to Apply

  • Please send a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position, including how you heard about this opportunity, to [email protected].
  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Job Categories: Conservation. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 80,000 - 100,000.

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