Land Use Planner

Description

Organization Overview

Founded in 1985, The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is a 501(c) (3) tax exempt California nonprofit Corporation that conserves natural resources, agricultural land, and open spaces for the benefit of present and future generations. We are a nationally accredited member of the Land Trust Alliance and California Council of Land Trusts. For the past 40 years, the Land Trust has worked to protect the spectacular landscapes we call home to ensure essential habitats, local food systems, and access to open space for all communities now and for future generations. Several years of tremendous growth and achievement have resulted in the successful conservation of over 57,000 acres, 58 conservation easements, and thousands of residents enjoying the outdoors. The Land Trust is expanding our work to better serve everyone in this incredible county, including new community- based programs and creating a possible public preserve in the Santa Maria Valley.

The Opportunity

The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is looking for a Land Use Planner to join our dynamic team. This is a new, exempt position based in Santa Barbara County with a full time (40 hour/week) schedule. This position reports to the Land Stewardship Director, but time is split with approximately 50% to the stewardship department and approximately 50% working on the acquisition and planning of a new Santa Maria Valley preserve. Within the stewardship department, many of our conserved properties allow for some sort of limited development and exercise of reserved rights under the conservation easement. The Land Use Planner performs a wide variety of tasks related to review of landowner projects and development plans to ensure compliance with easement requirements, as well as landowner and partner education and representing the Land Trust at meetings. The role also involves preserve planning, environmental review and permitting, coordination of meetings, and development of written materials.

ResponsibilitiesTime in this position will be split between stewardship tasks and preserve planning tasks.

~50% Stewardship

• Review landowner projects and proposals for consistency with conservation easements following an established process, including committee, board, or legal review as needed. Confer with landowners and their consultants to provide guidance to resolve issues and to bring projects into compliance. Prepare memos and decision letters as appropriate.
• Track and monitor exercises of reserved rights and, if applicable, easement violations on conserved properties. Participate in site visits, including annual easement monitoring as needed
• Maintain organized records of decisions following applicable requirements, including the Standards & Practices required by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission
• Meet with landowners and develop and maintain relationships
• Represent the Land Trust at a variety of meetings, including public meetings, hearing, site visits, and with neighbors
• Educate stakeholders about conservation easement terms and obligations with a focus on listing agents, buyer representatives, successor landowners, and county departments
• Proactively meet with various county departments to develop awareness of conservation easements and protected properties throughout the county
• Track land use trends in county, discuss with staff and committees, assess the effect of proposed policies on conservation efforts within the county, and write comment letters as appropriate
• Provide guidance on the development of Land Trust easements and preserves and relevant land use policies
  
  

~50% Preserve Planning

• Serve as project manager for the development of a public preserve in the Santa Maria Valley, including scheduling meetings, establishing timelines, capturing task lists, and ensuring timely delivery of materials
• Manage the land use and real estate tasks needed for establishing the Santa Maria Valley preserve including navigating title encumbrances and other physical or legal site constraints
• Develop and solicit consultant requests for proposals for professional services; evaluate proposals and recommend award of contract; oversee work and administer contracts after award
• Represent the Land Trust in various collaborations and working groups, public meetings, and events. Attend site visits and meetings in the Santa Maria Valley
• Create digital and printed materials and presentations including staff reports, project information guides, and other tools for communication with a variety of audiences and purposes including the Executive Director, Land Committee, internal Land Trust discussions, and partner and public meetings
• Assist with other preserve planning & permitting tasks as needed
  
  

Requirements

• College degree in relevant field, or commensurate experience
• 4+ years of experience working in a land use capacity in California
• Knowledge of Santa Barbara County land use policies and trends
• Demonstrated project management abilities. Strong skills in project record-keeping, organization, and management of collaborative teams
• Ability to work independently and oversee a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner with accuracy and attention to detail
• Willingness to frequently travel throughout Santa Barbara County
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and other general office software
• Informed passion, commitment, and sense of urgency for the mission of the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous professional experience working on land use issues within a conservation/protected lands context
• Previous experience reviewing title reports, title insurance, conservation easements, and other real estate documents
• Previous experience with projects involving historic and on-going oil production.
• GIS or mapping experience is helpful, but not required
  
  

Essential Requirements

• Access to reliable transportation
• Ability to sit at a desk, type, bend, and twist
• Ability to lift or move up to 15 pounds
• Ability to walk 5 miles over rugged terrain
  
  

Compensation And Benefits

The annual compensation range for this role is $80,000 - $110,000. Benefits include generous vacation, paid health and dental premiums, and a supportive team culture. Employees also have the opportunity to join an employer-sponsored retirement plan. This is a full time, exempt (salaried) position [AP1] with a flexible, hybrid work schedule and requires frequent travel throughout the county, including the Santa Maria Valley, with occasional evening or weekend work.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.