Land Acquisition Specialist

The Land Acquisition Specialist (LAS) will provide expertise and support on land acquisition projects  LAS guides land acquisition projects from the inquiry stage through their transition to perpetual stewardship. The LAS also completes baseline documentation reports and current conditions reports in coordination with the Easement Stewardship Manager.

This person is responsible for completing land acquisition projects according to Land Trust Alliance (LTA) Accreditation Commission standards and Legacy policies and procedures. The LAS will work closely with landowners—guiding them through the land acquisition process, negotiating transaction terms, assisting in procuring funding sources, and working through any issues raised by due diligence. The LAS will coordinate with the Land Protection Director and other staff to ensure every project is fully funded before closing, including application for and management of private, federal, state, and local grants.

This person is an integral part of the Land Team, which includes the Acquisition, Easement Stewardship, and Preserve Stewardship programs. Some Acquisition work overlaps with other programs, so the LAS will work closely with other Land Team members and administrative staff to achieve the goals of their position.

Reports to:
Land Protection Director, and works collaboratively with the Land Team

Hours:
This is a 40-hour per week, full-time exempt position. Legacy embraces a remote work culture and flexible schedule, to be determined with supervisor. This position requires some time at the office and travel throughout our service area of Jackson, Lenawee, and Washtenaw Counties. Evening and weekend work may be required to meet the goals of this position.

Compensation:

• Salary is $59,000. Legacy sets a nonnegotiable salary to ensure all employees are compensated equitably
• Employer-paid health, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
• Employer contribution to an Annual Flexible Spending Account (FSA) of $500
• Up to 3% employer match to each employees’ 401k and/or Roth IRA
• Professional development opportunities
• 12 paid holidays
• Accrued, paid personal time off starting at 24 days the first year

Responsibilities:

• Respond to and manage land acquisition inquiries and guide projects that meet Legacy’s Land Protection Criteria through the inquiry stage.
• Facilitate due diligence for acquisition projects including title investigation, surveys, and environmental assessments.
• Organize and conduct site visits to assess and document project conservation values.
• Complete baseline documentation reports and current conditions reports for conservation easements.
• Support on resolutions of issues raised by due diligence as needed in collaboration with Land Protection Director and relevant legal support.
• Draft conservation easements and work with landowner and attorneys to tailor conservation easement terms to landowner and funding source needs in collaboration with the Land Protection Director.
• Compile and audit Land Protection Project files in accordance with Land Trust Alliance Accreditation Commission standards.
• Ensure all projects are completed to Land Trust Alliance Accreditation Commission Standards and Practices and follow Legacy policies and procedures.
• Discuss and negotiate land acquisition transactions with landowners, as well as their families and representatives.
• Orchestrate closings of conservation projects in collaboration with Executive Director, Land Protection Director, and others.
• Collaborate with Land Protection Director and development staff on writing grants to fund Legacy’s land acquisition work, including private, local, state, and federal grants.
• Implement landowner and community engagement efforts, including developing or maintaining outreach materials, speaking at events, and sustaining ongoing communications to priority land owners with consultation of communications staff.
• Develop and enrich relationships with conservation partners.
• Represent Legacy at local, statewide, and national meetings and conventions.
• Manage project data in multiple databases and filing systems.
• Other tasks as agreed upon by Land Team and/or Land Protection Director

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