Joining The Trustees is not just a job, it is a commitment to protecting Massachusetts’ irreplaceable treasures. Our goal is to establish a thriving and inclusive work environment that recognizes the worth of every team member. Our employees are our most precious asset, encompassing a diverse range of backgrounds, viewpoints, ideas, and life journeys. We have nurtured an inclusive workplace where individuals come together with a common mission. Our leadership is characterized by openness, approachability, genuineness, and a commitment to nurturing our team's development.

Who We Are:
We enjoy and care for more than 100 special places - roughly 47,000 acres - all around Massachusetts and we are the largest holder of conservation restrictions in the Commonwealth. The centerpiece of the Trustees mission is protecting places of ecological, scenic, and historic importance. For more than a century, The Trustees has been on the ground in communities across Massachusetts, working to protect special places, providing loving care of our reservations, building creative new programs to engage people, and sharing our expertise with neighbors and partners across www.thetrustees.org.

The Land Conservation Specialist will be entering The Trustees at a unique and exciting time of opportunity, and will join a dedicated, dynamic, and effective Land Conservation Team. The Land Conservation Specialist will help drive priorities as The Trustees embarks on a new strategic plan and expands its Land Conservation Program to answer the statewide call to action to increase the pace of conservation and connect people with nature.

Who You Are:
You possess a true passion for the environment and relish spending time in the great outdoors. You have a strong work ethic, you thrive in a team-based environment, always willing to learn new things, and you have impeccable attention to detail and ability to communicate with people. Your friendly, cooperative nature, and your commitment to excellence in your work are evident.

A day in the life of this role:
We're on the hunt for an enthusiastic Land Conservation Specialist who's ready to join our green-thumbed family here at The Trustees. You'll be working under the wing of our Managing Director of Land Conservation, helping us grow our efforts in preserving and protecting the beautiful and significant open spaces.
Think of this role as your canvas to paint a greener future. You'll be the mastermind managing a colorful array of land conservation projects – from adding new life to our existing reservations to championing the conservation of new areas that need love and protection. You're not just acquiring and protecting land; you're acquiring and protecting the potential for communities to flourish and wildlife to thrive.
But it's not just about the land – it's about the people, too. You'll weave strong relationships with local conservation groups, painting a picture of unity and collaboration in our mission. You'll also rally community support for our cause, because the more, the merrier when it comes to conservation!
You won't be going it alone. You'll be part of our dynamic Land Conservation team, where collaboration is key. Together, you'll work across various programs and specialist teams within The Trustees to ensure our operations run as smoothly as a gentle stream.

Summary of duties:
• Identify land conservation opportunities and emerging land conservation priorities that advance The Trustees mission in consultation with Trustees staff, partners, land trusts and municipalities
• Meet with landowners, educate them about land conservation options, and negotiate real estate transactions
• Manage projects from inception to completion, including drafting and reviewing documents including Conservation Restrictions, managing transaction due diligence and deadlines, and hiring and overseeing contractors
• Collaborate with local land trusts, municipalities, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and other partners
• Support Development colleagues in private fundraising as appropriate
• Identify and develop public funding for individual land protection projects, related conservation initiatives and operations as needed
• Support the work of the Land Conservation Program by leading and aiding in programmatic efforts
• Participate in regular Land Conservation Program meetings, all-staff meetings, and committee meetings as needed
• Maintain a commitment to organization standards and practices: ensure that all transactions receive needed approvals and comply with The Trustees’ policies and procedures and with Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices, including documentation and project file completion.
• Represent The Trustees at relevant regional and local meetings, workshops, and other appropriate events

Work environment:
• This position is a hybrid position with periodic in-person and virtual staff meetings in Leominster and Boston.
• Ability to travel within Massachusetts and to attend frequent evening and weekend meetings and events is essential.

What we need from you:

Personality traits:
• Energetic self-starter with leadership qualities
• Attention to detail and organization
• A passion for Trustees’ mission
• A positive attitude, willingness to be flexible, and a commitment to achieving goals
• A willingness to learn new skills and flexibility to meet the day to day demands of the job
• High regard for teamwork, collegiality, and commitment to people and relationships

Requirements: 
• The ideal candidate should have at least 3-5 years of work experience in direct land conservation, real estate, fundraising, or a closely related field.
• Excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills
• Broad experience in land conservation practices, negotiation, project management, conservation document development, fundraising, real estate, working with volunteers, and managing budgets
• Background in both natural and cultural resources is desirable as is familiarity with Massachusetts.
• Computer and cartographic skills, preferably GIS and GPS, are preferred, database experience a plus.

Benefits for you:
• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance, with employer health and dental premium contributions ranging from 75% - 85% based on plan level
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Traditional and Roth 401(k) retirement accounts available for employees to contribute to upon hire and a 5% employer match after one year of employment
• Paid vacation and sick time and a bank of “Early Release” hours
• A bank of 15 paid flexible Holiday/Personal days
• Day of Service to travel to another site to work in a division and location other than your own in a group project such as reinforcing beach shorebird fences, planting seedlings or bulbs, organizing archival documents, or making phone calls to thank donors
• Day of Wonder to explore the wonders of any of our Trustees properties
• Complimentary Trustees member-level access and discounts discount for Trustees summer camps
• Reciprocity program offering free and discounted admissions and memberships to more than 50 Massachusetts museums and cultural institutions
• And much more!