Conservation Director

Who We Are:

The Deschutes Land Trust conserves and cares for the lands and waters that sustain Central Oregon, so local communities and the natural world can flourish together for generations to come. Since 1995, the Land Trust has protected more than 18,700 acres throughout Central Oregon for future generations. We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion, and are committed to building a conservation community with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences.

The Conservation Director provides leadership for all land protection activities of the Land Trust. This senior position is the cornerstone of the organization’s conservation mission—overseeing land acquisitions, and conservation easements across the trust’s protected lands portfolio. Working closely with the Executive Director, board, landowners, agency partners, and community stakeholders, the Conservation Director builds lasting relationships that translate the trust’s values into durable landscape-level conservation outcomes.

This is an opportunity for a passionate, experienced professional to shape the future of land protection in a region of extraordinary ecological and agricultural significance. Please see the detailed position description.

• Conservation Commitment: Passion and commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the Deschutes Land Trust.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  
  Experience:
  
  Cultural competency skills and demonstrated ability to work with people of diverse races, ages, genders, abilities and economic backgrounds. Experience with and commitment to applying diversity, equity and inclusion principles and practices to conservation work.
• Land Conservation Expertise & Technical Knowledge: The ideal candidate brings 5–7 years of progressively responsible land conservation experience, with hands‑on involvement in conservation easements and fee acquisitions. A strong foundation in real estate law, real estate transactions, title review, and other due diligence is desired as is familiarity with Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices and accreditation requirements. Candidates should be comfortable conducting transactional due diligence.
  
  Candidates should have familiarity with ecological and climate sciences and strong research skills. A background in agricultural lands, working forests, or water resources conservation is a plus, as is knowledge of federal and state funding programs such as OWEB and ACEP‑ALE. A working knowledge of the Oregon land use system is also desirable.
• Legal & Financial Acumen: Applicants must be capable of navigating the legal and financial dimensions of conservation work. This includes drafting and reviewing conservation easement documents, understanding the tax implications of easement donations and land gifts, and coordinating with attorneys, appraisers, title companies, and agency partners to bring transactions to a successful close. Familiarity with charitable giving options and landowner incentive programs is beneficial.
• Relationship Building & Communication
  
  Skills:
  
  The Conservation Director must be a skilled communicator and relationship builder—someone who earns the trust of landowners and who can work effectively across cultures, generations, and land management philosophies. Strong written skills are equally important, from grant narratives and board reports to landowner correspondence and public outreach materials. Experience cultivating partnerships with state and federal agencies and peer conservation organizations is highly valued.
• Tribal Partnership
  
  Experience:
  
  Partnerships with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and Klamath Tribes are central to our conservation work. Candidates must have direct experience working alongside Tribal nations, and familiarity with the consultation processes and Tribal governance structures. Equally important is the humility to listen, learn, and build trust over time.
• Organization
  
  Skills:
  
  The right candidate is a self‑directed, collaborative leader who thrives in a medium nonprofit environment and is comfortable wearing multiple hats. The ability to manage several active projects and transactions…