Position Description:
Title: Landowner Assistance Coordinator
Hiring Organization: Eastern Shore Land Conservancy
Location: Easton, Maryland

Background:
Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that is committed to preserving and sustaining the vibrant communities of the Eastern Shore and the lands and waters that connect them. Our Vision in 2050 is an Eastern Shore where: towns are vibrant and well defined; farms, forests, and fisheries are thriving; and scenic, historic, natural, and riverine landscapes are maintained.

ESLC is part of Envision the Choptank, a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on developing collaborative solutions to support a swimmable, fishable Choptank and healthy native oysters. As part of the initiative, several partner organizations received a grant to reduce the levels of nutrients and sediment entering the Choptank River by increasing the implementation of agricultural and residential best management practices (BMPs). Funds from the grant are being used to support this position, as well as carry out multiple landowner workshops and develop a fund to provide monies to residential landowners for BMPs. Initially, this work will focus around three tributaries of the Choptank: Harris Creek, Broad Creek, and the Tred Avon River, and will expand to the greater Choptank watershed beginning in 2019.

ESLC is looking to hire a Landowner Assistance Coordinator to provide assistance to landowners around these waters by helping them determine the most efficient and practical best management practice(s) to install on their land and connecting them to technical and financial resources to do so. This position is part-time (20-35 hours per week) for a 1-year term, which may be extended pending additional funds. The Coordinator will be overseen by a committee composed of representatives from Envision the Choptank partner organizations, and will be directly supervised by ESLC staff.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Provide one-on-one assistance to private landowners (residential and agricultural) to help them:
    • identify the appropriate BMPs for their land
    • understand and secure resources from existing BMP cost-share programs, special cost-sharing available through Envision the Choptank, and technical support and service providers
    • implement pollution control projects
    • develop a plan for BMP maintenance.
  • Work closely with the Talbot Soil Conservation District, University of Maryland Extension, and University of Maryland Sea Grant Extension.
    • These organizations will assist in providing technical assistance to agricultural and residential landowners and may provide the Coordinator with initial connections to landowners.
  • Work with Envision the Choptank partners to organize and carry out a workshop related to this work.
  • Assist partner organizations in developing and administering a Residential BMP Fund, which may include:
    • soliciting, receiving, and ranking applications
    • managing a constituent database of landowners interested in and/or implementing best management practice projects and maintenance plans.
  • Provide staffing and coordination support for partners engaged in the work described above.

Basic Qualifications:
● Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, agriculture, natural resources management or related field and 2 years related work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
● Experience coordinating multiple projects.
● Experience handling standard business communications.
● Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite.

Required Knowledge and Skills:
● Ability to communicate effectively.
● Ability to work cooperatively with partners, including conservation managers, farmers, and residents.
● Ability to complete tasks independently within assigned time frames.
● Ability to manage multiple priorities, with assignments sometimes coming from a number of sources.
● Ability to coordinate project information from a number of sources to populate databases, create reports and produce manual files.
● Ability to be detail oriented, while able to plan for the long-term.
● Knowledge of common BMPs for water quality.
● Familiarity with Eastern Shore and greater Maryland cost-share programs that support and incentivize best management practice implementation.
● Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and access to a vehicle for travel.
● Applicants must have flexible working hours (may include evenings and weekends).
Preferred Qualifications
● Experience with farming and/or the agricultural community (education, training, background, job experience, etc.) and installation, maintenance, or monitoring associated with BMPs in rural landscapes, preferably on the Eastern Shore.
● Ability to develop relationship with the farming community at all levels (local farmer, agribusiness personnel, government agency staff, extension services staff).
● Experience working with private residential landowners and with diverse audiences of all socio-economic levels, and familiarity with Delmarva ecosystems and native plants.
● Experience coordinating the work of multiple organizations.
● Experience with grant writing and coordination.
● Experience using and managing database and/or constituent database software.
● Maryland Eastern Shore resident.

Salary:
$20/hour for an estimated 20-35 hours per week. Pending funding available to extend employment, the anticipated termination date is December 31, 2019. Benefits are not included. Desk space at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in the Eastern Shore Conservation Center is included.

Applications:
To apply for this part-time position, please send a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to hr@eslc.org, with Landowner Assistance Coordinator in subject line. Applications are due by August 22, 2018.
The Eastern Shore Land Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer.