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Mainspring Conservation Trust, Inc. (Mainspring) is a nationally accredited, nonprofit conservation land trust and is one of the leading environmental organizations in western North Carolina. Mainspring employs a staff of eleven, with an annual operating budget exceeding $1.5 million. Mainspring’s service area encompasses 1.8 million acres and includes the six western-most counties in North Carolina – Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon and Swain – and northern Rabun County, Georgia.
Mainspring has conserved more than 29,000 acres since its inception in 1997. From more traditional conservation methods like conservation easements to programs that teach youth about the importance of clean water, to transforming contaminated brownfield sites into green community spaces, Mainspring is the driving force for conservation in the Southern Blue Ridge.
Headquartered in Franklin, North Carolina, Mainspring seeks to hire a Land Conservation Associate to support Mainspring’s efforts in land conservation throughout Mainspring’s service area. The Land Conservation Associate will report to the Land Conservation Manager and will provide support to those positions. The position will be based out of Mainspring’s office in Franklin, with responsibilities requiring travel throughout the region regularly.
Responsibilities Include:
- Assist with land conservation projects, including receiving conservation easements, and landowner outreach;
- Manage duties as assigned by Land Conservation Managers such as ordering appraisals, surveys, or ESA’s, and drafting CE documents;
- Conduct property site visits to evaluate and document natural resources, conservation values, species inventories, land-use practices, property boundaries, and boundary encroachments;
- GIS mapping of property features and projects as needed;
- Review and understand conservation easement restrictions and past monitoring reports;
- Assist with conservation easement amendments, as needed;
- Assist with habitat restoration and volunteer workdays as needed;
- Assist with grant proposals and reports as needed;
- Self-teach and take advantage of staff development opportunities including attending Land Trust Alliance Rally, webinars, etc. to learn all aspects of voluntary land protection and stewardship of conservation easements; and
- Assist Communications Director and Conservation Outreach Associate as needed with community outreach opportunities.
Qualifications Include:
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in natural resources, environmental science, or a related field;
- Prior land trust experience such as land conservation and/or stewardship experience is required;
- Excellent organization skills and attention to detail;
- Excellent communication skills;
- Proficient in Microsoft Office programs;
- Proficient in ESRI programs such as ArcMap and ArcMap Pro;
- A motivated self-learner; and
- A team member with flexibility and a sense of humor.
Salary and Benefits:
The Land Conservation Associate will be a full-time position with a salary commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits include health and dental insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, and an employer-sponsored retirement benefit plan. The anticipated salary range for this position is $36,000 to $44,000.
Submit cover letter, resume and references electronically, with “Mainspring LCA Position 2023” as the subject, by October 16, 2023.
