Protection Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

About Sequoia Riverlands Trust
Sequoia Riverlands Trust is a regional nonprofit land trust focused on the Tulare Basin, which comprises the southern San Joaquin Valley and Sierra foothills of Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Fresno counties, with additional conservation projects in 5 other California counties. We are accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, and our mission to conserve the lands and waters of California's heartland is supported by our ambitious programs in conservation easements (habitat and farmland), land stewardship, restoration, conservation outreach, and education.
We envision a future in which a network of protected natural and working lands thrives in the region we serve, with business, agriculture, and society aligned around sustainable land and water management practices.
OVERVIEW
The Land Protection Associate position supports Sequoia Riverlands Trust (SRT) Land
Protection Department by conducting landowner communication and conservation
easement monitoring, assisting in land transaction projects, regional outreach and
education, and land management activities on land owned or conserved by SRT.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Monitor and steward a portfolio of protected land interests annually according
to Land Trust Alliance (LTA) and SRT standards; developing landowner
relationships, completing required monitoring reports in a timely manner, and
providing immediate feedback to landowners and land protection staff
• Research, gather data and produce conservation easement Baseline
Documentation Reports
• Support the development of annual easement program goals with the Land
Protection Departments Director, Project Manager and Operations and Data
Manager, including measurable targets and outcomes
• Assist the Land Protection Director, Project Manager and Operations and Data
Manager in identifying and addressing potential easement compliance issues
and other concerns, as well as opportunities for further collaborative
stewardship projects and relationship building
• Implement and maintain appropriate procedures and documentation for
easement monitoring and data storage according to LTA and SRT policies
• Assist in providing data management and mapping support for conservation
plans, funding proposals, project reports, and outreach materials
• Assist with creating and maintaining data tracking systems for land
acquisitions, conservation easements, stewardship obligations, mitigation
requirements, and reporting deadlines
• Assist in the preparation of baseline documentation reports (BDRs) and
management plans for new conservation easements and fee acquisitions
• Attend meetings and maintain communication with regional landowners,
stakeholders, and partnering agencies and organizations regarding current
and future conservation projects
• Collaborate with the Land Protection Director and Land Protection Operations
and Data Manager to ensure that land transaction and stewardship records
and data are maintained and stored according to LTA policies, in virtual and
physical formats
• Carry out other duties as needed to support SRT's conservation planning,
mitigation and acquisition programs
• Assist with Land Protection Department grant administration and budget
tracking as necessary
• Assist the conservation staff with Fee Title and Mitigation property
management duties as necessary
SUPERVISION
The Land Protection Associate reports to the Director of Land Protection and works
closely with other Land Protection Department and Conservation Department staff.
REQUIRED SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES
College Degree in natural resource management, environmental studies,
conservation or a related field, or demonstrated equivalent professional
experience.
• Project management skills, including:
o Ability to interact with a variety of personalities among SRT staff,
landowners, contractors, volunteers and other partners
o Ability to clearly communicate organizational priorities
• Ability to manage multiple projects with deadlines
• Ability to work with Esri ArcGIS software (e.g. create and edit shapefiles and
feature classes, produce clear and attractive maps, conduct basic spatial
analyses, and organize data effectively)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel)
• Ability to quickly learn SRT's land conservation software applications for online
record keeping regarding land transactions and stewardship work
• Ability to synthesize and effectively communicate concepts and data, including
excellent writing skills
• Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills
• Familiarity with agriculture and ecology of Tulare County
• Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends
• Ability to hike and work under physical strain on sometimes difficult terrain in a
variety of environmental conditions and driving on rough roads
• Driver's license and willingness to use a personal vehicle for work-related travel
(with mileage reimbursement).
DESIRED SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES
• Experience working with a conservation organization or agency
• Community outreach & engagement experience
• Conflict resolution experience
• California native flora & fauna identification knowledge
• Spanish language proficiency
WORK SETTING AND CONDITIONS
The position is based at SRT's headquarters in Visalia, California, a city of about 140,000
residents in the southern San Joaquin Valley. The region has a Mediterranean climate,
with cool, moist winters and hot, dry summers. SRT's preserves and conservation
easements are distributed over nine counties, including lands in the foothills of the
southern Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley and in the Carrizo Plain. The specific work
conditions of this position are as follows:
• Well-lighted, heated, and air-conditioned indoor office with moderate noise
• Option for hybrid home-office schedule at Executive Director's discretion
• Physical Demands
o Ability to lift up to 10 pounds
o Manual dexterity sufficient to reach and handle items, work with fingers
and perceive attributes of objects and materials; ability to stand, walk,
sit, and reach
o Light physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of an
administrative nature, using close vision
o At times, to be outdoors in all weather conditions and in remote
locations
o Ability to visually assess landscape features and to inspect, identify,
observe, and assess safety situations in all work environments
• Work hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with some
additional hours including weekends.
COMPENSATION
This is a non-exempt hourly position with a compensation rate of $21.00-26.00 an hour.
Benefits include an employer matched retirement, health insurance
program, and generous paid time off.
OTHER NOTES
Candidates MUST be able to pass a background check
• Top candidates may be asked to provide samples of their work that
demonstrate their ability to fulfill the requirements of this position
• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature performed
by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be
construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so
classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any
time.
• Staff members are expected to consciously and continuously promote the
mission, values, programs, and impact of the organization when presented
with opportunities for participating in membership development and reaching
out to personal connections on behalf of SRT.