Program Manager – Land Protection (Southeast Blufflands)

The Program Manager – Land Protection leads the Land Trust’s land protection work within designated conservation program areas, working as part of both the Land Protection Team and a regional team. This position sets the stage for program success by: 1) targeting and prioritizing land protection work through completed conservation program area plans, 2) building effective partnerships with landowners, local governments, state and federal agencies, and non-governmental conservation organizations, 3) completing conservation easements with willing landowners, and 4) procuring resources to achieve the Land Trust’s protection goals. Working in concert with Land Protection and Legal staff, the Program Manager implements conservation strategies to protect high-priority properties both within their assigned areas and throughout the region. Duties and Responsibilities: Conservation Project Management: 60% The Program Manager manages all aspects of conservation easement projects undertaken within assigned program areas in line with established Land Trust protocols to achieve land protection goals of respective grants. • Build a pipeline of potential conservation easement projects through landowner outreach efforts including direct solicitation of landowner Requests for Proposals. • Assess the merits of and prioritize individual conservation projects. • Negotiate conservation easement terms with landowners; draft conservation easement documents. • In coordination with the Land Transaction Team and Public Grants Manager, solicit contractors and execute contracts for work associated with real estate transactions, following Land Trust and MN DNR contracting protocols; prepare amendments to contracts, as necessary. • Facilitate completion of appraisals and baseline documentation reports working through the Land Transaction Senior Manager and Land Transaction Program Manager, respectively. • Coordinate with Legal staff and landowners to resolve title issues and otherwise position a project for closing. • Prepare and present projects for approval to the Conservation Committee and Board. • Coordinate with the Restoration program to support seamless handoffs from Land Protection to Restoration program within the Program Area. Program Development and Management: 25% The Program Manager builds and maintains an effective Land Protection program within assigned Conservation Program Area(s), forging strong partnerships with governmental, non-governmental, and community partners and with other Land Trust departments to implement the Land Trust’s priority conservation strategies. • Develop or update regional and conservation program area plans that provide focus for the Land Trust’s work within the Southeast Blufflands program area. • Procure grant funds for land protection work within these program areas, including supporting the Development Team’s efforts to procure funds from private foundations. • Build program awareness with partners, landowners, and key stakeholders. • Work effectively with the colleagues of the Land Protection Team, Legal Team, Restoration Team, Engagement Team and other Land Trust staff to develop and implement supporting conservation strategies as identified in the Land Trust’s Strategic Plan, and program area and regional conservation plans. • Support the Land Trust’s engagement efforts within the Program Area, including efforts to build capacity for Minnesota’s scenic trails, as identified in the Land Trust’s Strategic Plan. • Engage and build relationships with Tribal Nations within southeastern Minnesota, including, but not restricted to, the Ho-Chunk Nation and Prairie Island Sioux Community. Grant Management: 10% The Program Manager assists the Public Grants Manager in the management of all associated grant programs toward achievement of stated goals and in line with state grant requirements. • Manage and track the status of all associated grants, maintaining a standard of documentation and administration that meets requirements of the funder and Land Trust policies. Other Program Administration: 5% The Program Manager provides assistance to and supports events and other special efforts of the Land Protection team and the Land Trust. • Assist with Minnesota Made, Treasured Places, and other organizational events, as directed. • Provide topic area expertise and otherwise assist the Land Trust with strategic planning and the scoping and development of organizational priorities, initiatives, and partnerships. Education, Experience, Licenses/Certifications: • Master’s degree or law degree and three (3) years of experience in natural resources, land management or other related conservation field; OR, bachelor’s degree in related field and five (5) years of progressive experience; and • Demonstrated experience with Minnesota’s landscapes and natural resources, particularly pertaining to the designated Conservation Program Area; and • Valid MN driver’s license. • Preferred: Experience with Minnesota’s land and water conservation programs and state/federal grant programs, including the Outdoor Heritage Fund and Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. Knowledge: • Minnesota landscapes and conservation priorities; and • Land protection real estate transactions; and • Grant management; and • Regional conservation partner networks. • Preferred: knowledge of generation of maps, natural resource information, and other spatial data Skills: • Advanced interpersonal and relationship-building skills and ability to work collaboratively; and • Advanced planning and organization; and • Advanced project management; and • Program management; and • Verbal and written communication; and • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, email, and calendar programs. • Preferred: GIS programs Abilities: • Work effectively in a team environment with a wide variety of individuals – landowners, stakeholders, partners, staff, and Board of Directors; and • Set and achieve goals in a self-directed manner, with a high degree of initiative; and • High degree of detail-orientation; and • Work independently and lead internal projects. Physical Demands: This position is physically demanding and requires the following abilities: • Ability to navigate in remote/rural and urban settings. • Ability to work full days outdoors at all times of the year. • Ability to walk up to three (3) miles over uneven terrain. • Ability to drive a vehicle for up to 8 hours per day, sometimes longer. Mental Demands: • Make decisions based on complex data interpretation. • Public speaking, at times under pressure. • Work under pressure to meet deadlines. Supervisor: Senior Program Manager – Land Protection Classification: Full time, Exempt Location: St. Paul, MN or Appropriate Field Location in southeastern MN; Hybrid Salary Range: $70,000 – $85,000/year Benefits: For regular, full-time employees, Minnesota Land Trust offers generous time off, 100% employer-paid individual medical insurance, 401(K) plan with match available, and more. To Apply: Please email your cover letter and resume combined as a single PDF to apply@mnland.org. Open until filled; Applications will be reviewed starting December 1, 2025. The Minnesota Land Trust is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities to ensure equal opportunity in the performance of essential job functions, and access to benefits and privileges of employment. If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the position, please make a request to your supervisor. Minnesota Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Company will not discriminate because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, genetic information, sex, disability, age, or any other status protected by state or local law, for employees who fall within the jurisdiction of such law. Apply tot his job Apply To this Job