Job Opportunities

Job Status: Full-time, Exempt

ORGANIZATION

The California Rangeland Trust is a non-profit organization founded by innovative cattlemen and cattlewomen in 1998 and has helped to permanently conserve 344,000 acres of privately managed rangeland.

The Rangeland Trust partners with ranching families to preserve the Golden State’s working landscapes, air and water quality, wildlife habitat, and local food supply.  We connect landowners to conservation resources, facilitate the process of preserving ranching and open space in California for future generations, and help safeguard agricultural jobs and family businesses that support the economic health of the state.  We also serve as a bridge for the ranching and environmental communities to cultivate shared efforts in protecting vital natural resources. 

The Rangeland Trust staff is a tight-knit team of skilled professionals who readily support one another as we work collaboratively and collegially toward advancing our mission. We are focused on emerging from being “California’s best kept secret” and building a groundswell of new supporters who are hearing the message that well-managed rangeland is important and in danger.

RELATIONSHIPS

1. Supervised By: Development Director
2. Employees Directly Supervised:  None
3. Other:  Works with employees, board members, landowners, and vendors of CRT

POSITION SUMMARY

The Annual Giving Manager supports the movement of supporters to donors and helps to identify and cultivate some of those donors toward major gifts through the implementation of a mid-level donor program.

The Annual Giving Manager is responsible for creating digital and direct mail appeals that reach current and prospective donors across multiple platforms.  This work involves providing leadership for fundraising, cultivation and stewardship events, development of materials for marketing giving opportunities, and designing systems for email and social media engagement.

The ideal candidate will have experience with annual giving or direct marketing programs, as well as coordinating special events and digital outreach efforts.  They should demonstrate strong writing skills with close attention to detail, thoughtfulness toward reaching different audience segments, and creativity in identifying diverse entry points for donor engagement.

Key metrics for success include ability to set, achieve and increase annual revenue goals, grow the mid-level donor file, and produce warm upgrade leads for the major gifts program.  This position requires some travel throughout California; evenings and weekends also occasionally required.

SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage an annual giving program for donors <$5,000/year including:
  • setting ambitious yet attainable goals for raising funds, and retaining and upgrading donors;
  • composing appeals concepts and content in partnership with the Development Director and other staff members;
  • advising on list segmentation, acquisition targets, and using the database to identify and track segments;
  • managing printers, list brokers, and other vendors;
  • creating and managing a direct mail and digital outreach calendar in coordination with the Communications team.
• Develop, maintain, and regularly evaluate a mid-level program for donors giving at least $500 annually.
• Advise on new and mid-level donors with the potential for major giving; partner with the Development Director and Major Gifts Officer to create a cultivation and solicitation plan when appropriate.
• Identify creative opportunities to engage prospective donors; explore diverse avenues for attracting donor support.
• Coordinate and regularly evaluate an email Welcome Series to encourage new supporters to become donors.
• Engage with social media fundraisers and their donors to encourage further interest in our work.
• Collect and compose donor feature stories for marketing activities.
• Support stewardship activities and programs to maintain a high retention rate year over year.
• Work with the Donor Services Associate to maintain accurate donor records in the database.
• Provide additional support for department activities including special events, annual planning, and other related tasks where needed.
• Provide oversight and project management support in preparing for A Western Affair, our signature fundraising event.
• Partner with staff, volunteers and donors to secure sponsorships, auction items, and other in-kind support for fundraising events.
• With support from team members, lead additional cultivation and stewardship events related to annual giving or special projects, often located out on ranches around the state.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum two years of experience working in non-profit fundraising.
• Proven ability to articulate the story of an organization, its mission, and its effectiveness. Adept at crafting compelling and high-quality solicitation letters and donor correspondence. 
• Proven track record of building creative offers that meet donor interests.
• Experience in maintaining effective relationships with mid-level donors and determining potential for upgrading to major gifts.
• Highly organized and efficient. Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and get things done on schedule.  Detail orientation around data and tracking systems.
• Demonstrated donor recognition strategies.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with both internal and external constituencies.
• Willingness to travel in California as well as work a flexible schedule including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Proficiency in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, as well as donor database management systems essential.
• Must have a valid CA Driver’s License and acceptable driving record

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• A mission-driven individual with a belief in and commitment to the philosophy of the Rangeland Trust.
• Extremely proactive approach to work. Someone that is solutions-oriented and can work independently. Shows initiative and creativity.
• A good listener and strategist. Intrepid yet tactful.  Determined yet respectful of others’ concerns. 
• Strong commitment to teamwork and commitment to developing and maintaining collaborative relationships.
• Must be highly organized and demonstrate excellent attention to details while pursuing overall goals.
• A resourceful ‘doer’ with a willingness to work hands-on in developing and executing a variety of activities.
• Ability to work well under pressure and adapt easily to changing situations and priorities. Good judgment and consensus building skills.
• High ethical standards.

COMPENSATION

An attractive compensation package will be offered based upon experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to attend meetings at various sites; strength to lift and carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.

California Rangeland Trust is an equal opportunity employer and seeks diversity with respect to race, national origin, religion, culture, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status and physical abilities.  All inquiries are held in strict confidence.

Job Status: Full-time, Non-Exempt

ORGANIZATION

California Rangeland Trust is committed to serving the land, people and wildlife by conserving our state’s private working rangelands. We understand the importance of protecting the landscapes where our food is produced, our fresh water flows, and our wildlife thrive. With 344,000 acres in our conservation portfolio, we greatly value our team of highly-qualified and dedicated staff members who work to offer creative conservation solutions and protect the natural resources provided by our vital grasslands.

RELATIONSHIPS

1. Supervised By: Transaction Director
2. Assigned to Conservation Unit
3. Other: Works with board members, landowners, funding
   agencies, outside consultants, conservation related organizations, and staff

POSITION SUMMARY

The Land Transaction Specialist will work with Rangeland Trust’s Conservation Unit and willing landowners to acquire conservation
easements on working ranches in California. The Land Transaction Specialist will be expected to work cooperatively with landowners, grant funders, outside consultants and Rangeland Trust staff during all stages of the conservation easement transaction process.  Equally important will be the Land Transaction Specialist’s role in building relationships with private and public funding sources.     

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Work in LANDSCAPE (conservation project database) to maintain and update project data on approved and active projects

• Identify potential public and private sources of easement funding

• Compile funding requirements for accepted applications and match those projects with appropriate funding sources

• Write and submit grant applications to various public agencies and private foundations to secure project funding

• Draft and submit periodic grant reports throughout a grant’s term 

• Take the lead on due diligence tasks such as title review, ordering consulting services, and reviewing due diligence reports

• Draft escrow instructions for closing easement projects, when requested

• Work with the Transaction Director to negotiate, document, and close conservation easement transactions, including meetings with landowners and funding entities

• Support the board and staff by providing project updates as needed.

• Gather final documents and assist in preparing
  the Closing Binders for each closed easement project

• Work with conservation related organizations to enhance funding opportunities over the near and long term

QUALIFICATIONS

• B.A. degree or equivalent education required
• 4 to 6 years of conservation easement experience or comparable transactional real estate experience

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS 

• Demonstrated strong written and verbal skills 
• Knowledge of appraisals and government appraisal review process (preferred)
• Good working knowledge of environmental assessments and title issues 
• Working knowledge of the processes for obtaining public funding for land acquisition, i.e. grant writing (preferred)
• Background in, or knowledge of agriculture (preferred)
• Rudimentary understanding of California’s natural environment and the wildlife sustained by working landscapes (preferred)
• Ability to work independently and decisively on complex projects with little supervision 
• Organized. Ability to maintain detailed records, spreadsheets, and files 
• ARC GIS proficiency (preferred) or willingness to learn the database and its functions 
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and carry out complex transaction tasks over a long period of time 
• Ability to work on projects that may include complex financial arrangements and sensitive political issues 
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office suite programs 
• Experience with records management policies and procedures 
• Ability to function as a part of a team, including willingness to assist in areas outside direct job responsibilities 
• Occasional travel throughout California

Must have a valid California Driver’s License, acceptable driving record, and full automobile insurance coverage.

COMPENSATION

An attractive compensation package will be offered based upon experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to attend meetings at various sites; strength to lift and carry materials weighing up to 10 pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.

Must be able to attend out-of-town, evening, or weekend stewardship visits, meetings, and other events as needed.

California Rangeland Trust is an equal opportunity employer and seeks diversity with respect to race, national origin, religion, culture, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status and physical abilities.  All inquiries are held in strict confidence

Job Status: Part-time, Non-Exempt

Location: California Central Coast (Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo County areas) 

ORGANIZATION

California Rangeland Trust is committed to serving the land, people and wildlife by conserving our state’s private working rangelands. We understand the importance of protecting the landscapes where our food is produced, our fresh water flows, and our wildlife thrive. With 344,000 acres in our conservation portfolio, we greatly value our team of highly-qualified and dedicated staff members who work to offer creative conservation solutions and protect the natural resources provided by our vital grasslands.

RELATIONSHIPS

1. Supervised By: Transaction Director, works directly with Rangeland Stewardship Specialist
2. Employees Directly Supervised: N/A
3. Other: Works with board members, landowners, and vendors 

POSITION SUMMARY

Under general supervision of the Rangeland Stewardship Specialist, the Conservation Land Steward is responsible for the
stewardship monitoring of conservation easements in the Rangeland Trust portfolio.  Performs stewardship and biological monitoring.   

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Monitors conservation easements for adherence to terms of the conservation easement or management plan
• Performs biological data collection
• Assists with coordinating mitigation easement management tasks
• Reviews documentation for mitigation conservation easement compliance
• Assists with the compilation of mitigation conservation easement monitoring reports
• Coordinate with outside vendors and consultants on scheduled tasks, when applicable
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• 4 years of college-level coursework in range science, botany, biology, or related field
• 2 years stewardship or conservation field work OR an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position 

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS 

• Background in range management (preferred) 
• Outstanding organizational skills and extreme attention to detail.
• Strong writing skills including English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Standard business correspondence formatting
• Basic math, record keeping, and database management
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once, with minimal supervision and direction.
• Excellent time management skills
• Exemplary customer service skills, including dealing effectively with landowner partners, both in person and over the telephone
• Ability to work as a team member but also with minimal supervision
• Creative and innovative techniques for performing assignments
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, board members, landowners, the public, and others encountered in the course of work
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of programs
• Skills in GIS and Google Earth a plus but not required
• Knowledge of LANDSCAPE database a plus but not required

Must have a valid California Driver’s License, acceptable driving record, and full automobile insurance coverage.

COMPENSATION

An attractive compensation package will be offered based upon experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

Must possess mobility to work in agricultural field setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to attend meetings at various sites; strength to lift and carry materials weighing up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the phone. 

Must be able to attend out-of-town, evening, or weekend stewardship visits, meetings, and other events as needed.

California Rangeland Trust is an equal opportunity employer and seeks diversity with respect to race, national origin, religion, culture, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status and physical abilities.  All inquiries are held in strict confidence