CONSERVATION LAND MANAGER

Job Description:

CONSERVATION LAND MANAGER

Description

Description

This position is responsible for planning, directing, and managing all aspects activities involving land acquisition, management and operations of the Nassau County’s Conservation Land Program.

Examples of Duties

• Administers Nassau County’s Conservation Land Programs, including the Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) and Atlantic to Okefenokee Conservation Corridor project, and associated tasks.
• Administers and directs all real estate activities and functions of the County’s Conservation Land Programs.
• Serves as the staff liaison for the County’s CLAM Committee.
• Develops and manages Land Management Plans.
• Monitors Conservation Easements, ensuring compliance.
• Evaluates, reviews, and monitors real estate files on all active projects including surveys, field notes, appraisals, legal documents, and other pertinent information.
• Prepares and reviews offer packages, purchase agreements, and counter offers, in conjunction with the legal.
• Negotiates with landowners and partners for parcel acquisitions.
• Researches sites, associated land records, property ownership, and title history.
• Coordinates with other County departments including the County Attorney’s Office in preparing contracts and other land acquisition documents.
• Makes presentations at community organizations, workshops, board meetings, and review committees.
• Prepares, implements, and monitors annual activity budget.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates staff involved in the completion of program activities.
• Pursues external funding sources (e.g., Florida Forever, REPI, federal conservation grants, private foundations) to support land acquisition, restoration, and long-term management goals.
• Prepares and submits competitive grant applications.
• Collaborates with state, federal, regional, and nonprofit partners to align Nassau County projects with broader conservation strategies.
• Develops and implements plans and procedures, and participates in the formulation of policy.
• Assists and advises department with developing short- and long-term goals, and objectives.
• Relocates to other county locations based upon operational needs.
• Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absenteeism and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and leave requests. Responds to emergency situations.
• Adheres to Federal, State, County and Local ordinances.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

(These essential functions are not a complete statement of all duties required of the job. Employees will be required to perform such other related job duties as may be assigned or required.)

Typical Qualifications

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Ecology, Forestry, Biology (with an emphasis on conservation or wildlife management), Environmental or Land Use Planning, Public Administration, Resource Economics (if paired with relevant conservation/land management experience) or related field supplemented by five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in conservation land acquisition/management or a combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Requires a valid State Driver’s License.

The preferred candidate, having met the minimum requirements, will have working knowledge in conservation lands, and agricultural and forest resource management. General knowledge of methods, principles, practices, and techniques of real property acquisition for public purposes and knowledge of laws and procedures related to acquisition and easements is preferred.

Supplemental Information

• Knowledgeable in the methods, policies and procedures of the Department and County as they pertain to the performance duties of the Conservation Land Manager.
• Ability to comprehend the intricate relationships between the Board of County Commissioners, other government agencies, advocacy groups, corporate entities and the public at large. Must be able to independently recognize the interrelated nature of local government work and, with awareness, quickly craft material for publication.
• Knowledgeable in the principles and practices of conservation land acquisition, management, and restoration.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local environmental and land-use regulations, including Florida Forever, REPI, and related conservation funding programs.
• Knowledge of real estate law and practices, including appraisals, title research, purchase agreements, conservation easements, and contract negotiation.
• Knowledge of principles of ecology, natural resource management, habitat restoration, and long-term stewardship.
• Knowledge of public budgeting and financial management, including grant writing, administration, and reporting.
• Knowledge of Best management practices (BMPs) for agriculture and forestry as they relate to conservation easements and working lands.
• Knowledge of North Florida ecosystems such as wetlands, floodplains, estuarine systems, maritime forests, and longleaf pine habitats.
• Knowledge of conservation easement stewardship practices, including baseline documentation and monitoring requirements.
• Knowledge of title research and property records in Florida, including common encumbrances (e.g., timber rights, mineral rights, utility easements.
• Skilled in negotiating complex real estate and conservation agreements with landowners, legal counsel, and partner agencies.
• Skilled in developing, reviewing, and implementing land management plans and conservation easement monitoring programs.
• Skilled in preparing and submitting competitive grant applications to secure external funding sources.
• Ability to deliver clear and persuasive presentations to boards, community groups, partner organizations, and elected officials.
• Skilled in coordinating multi-agency and cross-sector partnerships to align County projects with regional and statewide conservation strategies.
• Ability to review and evaluate technical documents such as surveys, field notes, appraisals, and environmental assessments.
• Skilled in budget development, financial tracking, and resource allocation.
• Ability to use GIS and spatial analysis tools to evaluate conservation value, develop maps, and support presentations.
• Ability to administer Nassau County’s Conservation Lands Programs and provide high-level staff support to the CLAM Committee.
• Ability to interpret and apply applicable laws, ordinances, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to build consensus among stakeholders with diverse interests, including private landowners, nonprofit partners, and government agencies.
• Ability to prepare detailed acquisition packages and staff reports for Board of County Commissioners’ consideration.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining accuracy.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, diplomacy, and professionalism in sensitive negotiations and public interactions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with technical experts and the general public.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify solutions, and implement effective action plans.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, public service environment.
• Ability to respond to emergencies and adapt to changing priorities as required.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality as required.
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in coordinating Department Programs; making sound decisions; determining procedures; setting priorities; setting schedules; maintaining standards; resolving problems; performing routine and non routine tasks.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions as required.
• Ability to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:

• Tasks may require extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
• Stooping
• Sitting
• Kneeling
• Bending
• Crouching
• Reaching
• Standing
• Walking
• Lifting and carrying up to 10 lbs.
• Pushing and pulling

(Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability)

Work Environment

• Works inside in an office environment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will continue to be received until the listed closing date or the position is filled, whichever is earliest. Submission of an application does not guarantee the applicant an interview. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check.

Nassau County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace. Nassau County values the service veterans and their family members have given to our country and that the County supports the hiring of returning service members, military spouses, and their family members as such this position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference in accordance with applicable laws.

The information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, environmental conditions, or qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. This position may be required to work in a safety sensitive capacity at any time based on emergency declaration or other operational need. Nassau County reserves the right to edit or re-write this job description at any time.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.

BOCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical & Prescription Drugs Benefits
• Health Savings Account (HSA) Contributions with a Qualified Plan
• Florida Retirement System
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental
• Vision
• Life & AD&D
• Supplemental & Dependent Life & AD&D Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Voluntary Benefits Offered By Aflac and/or Colonial
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Program
• Roth IRA

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement. A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee. Employees are required to contribute 3% of their salary per Florida Statute.

TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The County may provide tuition assistance to cover the cost of tuition and books to County employees requesting tuition reimbursement for courses at an accredited college or university which are applicable to the employee's field of work and/or are of such nature to directly prepare employees for positions of greater responsibility within the County. Contact the Human Resources Office for additional details.

HOLIDAYS The following, as well as any other days the BOCC may declare, are designated as official holidays for County Employees:

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Presidents Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
The Day After Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day

PTO LEAVE All full-time employees shall accrue Paid Time Off (PTO) Leave in accordance with the following formula:

Years of Employment Hours Per Year
0 through the end of the 4th year 180
5 years through the end of the 10th year 200
11 years through the end of the 15th year 220
16 years and over 240

For additional information please view Nassau County's Policies & Procedures .

Salary:

$65,713.64 - $99,990.96 Annually