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Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE) - About Us: 

Spartanburg Area Conservancy is a nonprofit organization based in Spartanburg, SC, focusing on land conservation, parks management, and environmental outreach. SPACE is known in the community for our system of public preserves, most notably the Cottonwood Trail, where we work to provide public access to green spaces and the natural world. We work with private landowners and partner agencies to conserve land through voluntary conservation easements and currently protect over 7,000 acres of land in our community. 

The mission of SPACE is to promote, protect, and conserve natural resources and open space in the Spartanburg community.

We are hiring!

Conservation Director 

Position Type: Full-time  
Reporting: Executive Director
Location: 100 E. Main Street, Suite 7B, Spartanburg, SC 29306 

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Conservation Director is a senior-level, mission-driven, and highly motivated land protection staff member who plays a key role on the SPACE Team. This person is instrumental is ensuring SPACE's long-term success by working on land protection projects across the Spartanburg Area. Central to his effort is the building, nurturing, and maintenance of strong relationships with key stakeholders, including but not limited to landowners, nonprofit and government partners, and otherwise contribute to SPACE's region-wide conservation strategy. 

Responsibilities

• Proactively cultivate, develop, negotiate, and actively manage all aspects of land protection projects, leading legal counsel, consultants, and fellow staff in accomplishing discrete project tasks necessary for successful completion. 
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to identify and prioritize land protection prospects in alignment with the Land Trust's conservation strategy. 
• Regularly engage and educate prospective landowners and land protection opportunities. 
• Identify and initiate new, untapped, and/or complex sources of funding for conservation easements and/or complex sources of funding for conservation easements and/or fee simple title acquisitions. 
• Present or represent SPACE at focus area task forces, public events, conservation initiatives, trainings, and similar convenings; assuming leadership roles within them when strategically beneficial to the Land Trust's goals. 
• Report on and obtain SPACE Board approval for land protection projects. 
• Assist SPACE staff on special projects as assigned by the Executive Director. 
• Support the organization's philanthropic efforts by participating in events, communications, and gift solicitations; and identify and cultivate philanthropic opportunities that contribute to the Land Trust's general operating revenues. 
• Support the promotion and communication of land conservation projects by assisting with the creation of press releases, outreach, and development materials. 
• Assist the SPACE staff in providing information to landowners about conservation matters related to land management, connecting them to technical and financial resources as appropriate. 
• Undertake all work in accordance with SPACE's policies and the Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices and accreditation requirements. 
• Travel across the Spartanburg Area as needed to effectively accomplish SPACE's land protection and partnership goals. 

Other Duties as Required: 

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work an employee assigned to this position performs. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. All staff members may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time. 

Qualifications

Required: 

• Bachelor's Degree or higher
• Minimum 3 years of land protection project management or equivalent real estate transaction and business experience.
• Demonstrated success in the development and management of complex land protection projects. 
• Ability to work collaboratively and creatively with staff across departments and organizations. 
• Strong interpersonal skills, including written and verbal communication, and demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships. 
• Ability to manage multiple projects or assignments with defined requirements to achieve specific timely outcomes. 
• Strong organizational skills
• strong self-direction and initiative; demonstrated commitment to making things happen. 
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to interpret and understand legal documents, maps, survey plans, natural resource inventories, and other related materials. 
• Ability to learn new software tools quickly
• Ability to travel and access to a reliable vehicle
• A genuine love of the outdoors and an authentic comfort being outside during all seasons/weather conditions. 

Desired: 

• 8 or more years of land protection project management or equivalent real estate transaction and business experience
• Degree in a natural resources-related field (wildlife, ecology, forestry, conservation biology, environmental/land use planning, land use law, or a degree in finance/business/law with a strong background in land conservation. 
• Conservation, not-for-profit organization, and/or public agency experience
• Demonstrated use of multiple funding sources in conservation projects
• Experience working with communities underrepresented in land conservation
• Experience monitoring properties protected by conservation easements
• Experience using ArcGIS

Benefits Summary

• Healthcare Stipend
• 401(k) with up to 2% match. Eligible after one year of service. 
• Family & Medical leave
• Hybrid work environment (opportunity to work in-office/from home as needed)
• Flexible hours
• Self-managed PTO
• 11 Paid holidays per year
• Dunbar St Parking Garage pass

To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, and three references in one PDF to deb@spartanburgconservation.org. 

SPACE is committed to the principles of diversity and equal employment opportunity, and to comply with all federal, state, and local laws that are applicable to equal employment. It is our policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals, as well as administer any and all personnel actions, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, civil union status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation or identity, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital status, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran, service in the federal or state military, union affiliation, pregnancy or breastfeeding, medical or genetic information, atypical hereditary cellular blood trait, or status as a qualified individual with a disability, in accordance with applicable laws. The land trust also complies with the South Carolina Pregnancy Accommodations Act.