Western Program Coordinator
Land Trust Alliance
Location: Remote in a state served by the Western Division (WA, OR, CA, HI, AK, ID, MT, ND, SD, NE, KS, WY, CO, OK, TX, NM, AZ, UT, NV)
Land conservation is a rapidly growing, multi-disciplinary field. It plays a central role in addressing myriad issues, including ecosystem protection, recreational and scenic use, land use planning, equitable benefit from and access to land for all community members, agricultural and forest preservation and addressing climate change through adaptation and mitigation practices. Voluntary land conservation is driven primarily by land trusts, which are community-based nonprofit organizations dedicated to the protection of America’s natural heritage.
The Land Trust Alliance western division coordinator provides program and administrative support for the Western Division of Field Programs, which spans a diverse nineteen-state region that includes the Southwestern, Intermountain and Pacific Northwestern portions of the U.S. The position helps ensure the delivery of quality projects, programs and inter-departmental coordination for initiatives led by the Western Division. The successful candidate will demonstrate a record of accomplishment in coordinating and managing tasks and projects that advance the mission of non-profit organizations, preferably land trusts. The coordinator plays an important role in building and maintaining relationships with land trust members, effective partnerships with state and regional associations of land trusts and/or landscape level collaborations to advance our mutual goals.
Certain activities of the position may be focused on specific regions of the West on a short or long-term basis. The extent and focus of these regionally specific duties may shift over time, based on funding availability or as an outcome of organizational strategic planning, annual work planning and assessments of programmatic needs for the Western Division.
This position includes external-facing duties. The individual must possess strong communication and organizational skills. This is a full-time, permanent position (37.5 hours/week).
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Program Planning, Coordination and Development (30%)
Provide valuable counsel in all elements of Western Division planning.
Support the program delivery across the West.
Collectively strategize on topics and instructors for regional conferences, statewide meetings, west-specific webinar trainings and workshops.
As directed, provide thorough evaluations that impact future delivery of programs.
Build relationships with Alliance staff for more efficient use of staff time, maximizing our skills and talents and streamlining our collective efforts.
Ongoing database collection and updating to enhance our understanding of and improve our services to land trusts in the western region.
Provide support for the program’s fundraising efforts including preparation of grant proposals and new membership recruitment, participation in fundraising meetings as directed, and grant reporting.
Build and strengthen relationships with western consultants and contractors; continued search for additional western consultants, circuit riders and advisors.
Grant and Contract Management and Support (30%)
Process land trust grant applications when received, including entering information into Foundant, reviewing applications for completeness, following up with land trusts if items are missing and putting all applications into a format for evaluation.
Provide training and support to grant applicants for the Alliance grant programs, including on technical issues, as well as direction to ensure accuracy of applications and reports.
Manage administrative aspects of western grant programs, including check requests, grant applications and agreements, reporting and the committees and staff that support and manage the program.
Partner with other Alliance program support staff on grant applications not directly managed through the western program. Ensure accuracy and proper documentation of grant materials in land trust files and help track progress through the system.
Ensure the accuracy of all West Division information in the Foundant grants management database.
Organize and track contracts for the West Division, including agreements, check requests and deliverables.
Communications and Outreach (15%)
Serve as a resource and provide general support and build relationships with Alliance members in the West.
Manage all aspects of Western Division trainings events, with site logistics, promotional copy, instructor handouts, meal planning, evaluation summaries and instructor assistance before and after events.
Develop relationships with state associations for improved communications and information sharing.
Connect members and peers for knowledge and skills sharing.
Build and strengthening relationships with Alliance staff.
In partnership with the western team, develop and implement the nationals communications work plan for the Western Division.
Collaborate with Western Division team to grow the presence of the regional program.
Provide regular updates in Land Trust Alliance national and regional outlets.
Serve as the conduit with the Alliance communications team.
Propose and develop Western Division marketing materials, such as the program services postcard, and a Northwest Initiative brochure.
Budget and Finance (10%)
Work with Western Division staff to track program budget:
Review and reconcile monthly financials within one week of receipt
Report and track errors and recoding requests in financials, and work with Finance department to correct
Input and track details of financials in the Western Region “revenue projections” Excel document
General Support (15%)
Organize and maintain electronic information for the western program.
Participate on ad hoc internal teams to improve organizational efficiency.
Schedule, coordinate and take notes for program meetings, including team program planning and cross-departmental meetings.
Coordinate Western Division events and gatherings.
Coordinate mailings to Alliance members in the western region.
Arrange meeting and travel logistics, as requested.
Assist with research projects
Attend and assist with Rally: The National Land Conservation Conference put on by the Alliance in a different part of the country each year. Other sporadic travel may be required.
Qualifications and Attributes:
Familiarity and experience with private land conservation practices.
Demonstrated skills in oral and written communications. Ability to communicate effectively with both Alliance members and partner organizations, and ability to manage communications for a project or program initiative.
At least three years of professional experience, with clearly demonstrated experience and skills related to the performance of the job responsibilities.
Demonstrated project management experience, including a minimum of 2 years demonstrated project budget management.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize workload to meet critical deadlines.
Experience analyzing and organizing basic financial information and budgets.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work effectively without close supervision and as part of a team in a fast-paced work environment.
Proficient in facilitating meetings and trainings in-person and virtually.
Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.
Ability and willingness to travel up to 10 percent annually, including evenings and weekends on occasion.
Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field preferred.
Compensation
The budgeted salary range for this position is $55,000 – $65,000 commensurate with skills, years of experience, location and unique background and qualifications of the candidate.
The Land Trust Alliance offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, vision and other health coverage; life and disability insurance; paid time off including vacation, sick and multiple holidays and 403(b) retirement benefits.
