Oregon Agricultural Trust (OAT) is a statewide, 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust that partners with farmers and ranchers to protect agricultural lands for the benefit of Oregon’s economy, communities, and landscapes.  We work collaboratively with regional and statewide partners to permanently protect farm and ranch land in priority geographies within Oregon.  

We also partner with regional leaders to:

• educate farmers, ranchers, service providers, and the public about protecting and passing on agricultural land;
• increase the capacity of peer organizations to protect agricultural land; and
• advocate for programs and incentives that support agricultural land protection.

Job Posting: Land Program Associate

Oregon Agricultural Trust (OAT) seeks an organized, detail-oriented, flexible, process-oriented, ambitious person with a passion for agricultural land conservation to serve as our Land Program Associate. Job responsibilities include: supporting landowner outreach; coordinating and completing due diligence tasks for land conservation projects; GIS mapping properties and regions; supporting grant applications for land conservation funding; conducting monitoring and stewardship of protected properties; maintaining project files.
 

Position Description

Compensation: $55,000 - $60,000 DOE, plus generous benefits. 

Status: Full-time (exempt). 

Reports to: Land Program Director, who reports to the Executive Director

Location: OAT staff work remotely within the state of Oregon with frequent virtual meetings and  periodic in-person meetings in different locations.

Primary Position Goals

• Outreach: Support Land Program staff in conducting targeted and general outreach to agricultural landowners who might be interested in protecting their properties; help Land Program staff conduct periodic follow up; help track follow up activities and outcomes.
   
• Due Diligence: For properties we are helping landowners protect, conduct a search of county records; coordinate title search, environmental assessment and (as needed) survey and appraisal; as needed, follow up on concerns raised in these reports.

• Land Committee: Help prepare documents for land project approvals before the committee; help prepare agenda items for Land Committee meetings, as needed.

• Grant applications: Support Land Program staff in: writing and coordinating materials and information for applications for funding for land conservation projects; coordinating site visits for funding applications; answering follow up questions of grant reviewers.

• Project Files: Support Land Program staff in writing baseline documentation; consistently label, file, organize, update, and back up landowner project files.

• Land Program Administration: Help with general maintenance of Land Program calendars, project management timelines, and other administrative elements of the program

Secondary Position Goals

• GIS Mapping: Map properties OAT is protecting or considering protecting for lot lines and land uses; Map regions of the state to understand patterns in land use and resources, for example soil types, zoning, and parcels, to be used in regional analyses and conservation plans.

• Stewardship: Conduct annual monitoring of protected properties; write stewardship reports; report potential violations to Land Program staff; support Land Program in resolving or addressing easement violations, as needed.

Desired Experience, Skills, & Attributes

• Outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Exacting attention to detail.
• A commitment to understanding the purpose of each step in accomplishing a goal.
• Strong project management skills.
• Experience in real estate, paralegal, title work, ArcGIS or environmental assessment is a plus, but not a requirement for application to the position. 
• Experience writing technical reports, ideally for conservation projects.
• Has a valid driver’s license to fulfill duties of the job, is able to lift 25 lbs, and can walk on rough terrain.

OAT welcomes applications from interviewees who might not have all of the desired experiences, skills, or attributes at this time, but are interested in acquiring them. OAT is willing to provide some training to otherwise ideal applicants. If you feel that you meet or can grow into most of the above qualifications, please apply!

Organizational Profile

Oregon Agricultural Trust values our team members as whole humans. We treat each other with respect and compassion, honor each other’s diverse backgrounds and perspectives, get excited about each other’s successes and innovations, and enjoy working towards shared goals together. While we work remotely throughout Oregon, we meet weekly for team meetings where we have fun, learn about each other, develop opportunities for cross-program partnerships, and strategize together. We also meet at least weekly with our direct supervisor and programmatic team to stay accountable and strategic in our activities. Leadership supports the personal and professional development and advancement of each of our team members through substantial professional development opportunities (including the ability to apply for tuition reimbursement) and regular performance meetings with supervisors.
 

Benefits

OAT strives to support our staff with a generous benefits package, including*:

• Health, Vision & Dental Insurance: Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield Platinum Health and Vision Plan and Kaiser Platinum Dental Plan with orthodontic coverage. Employees receive 100% coverage for the employee and employees pay no more than 50% or $400/month for partner and child, or $200/month for partner or child.
• 401K: Up to 5% employer match
• Life Insurance: $50,000 policy
• Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance.
• Health FSA and Dependent FSA. Available for employee contribution.
• PTO and Office-Closures: Starting at 20 days PTO per year and increasing to 30 days by year 6 with OAT. 16-17 days of office-closure / holidays with flexibility for employee religious holidays. Plus other types of leave including bereavement and medical & family.
• Stipends: $100/monthly for home office and $50/month for personal phone if no work phone.
• Flexible Work Hours.

OAT is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against any employee or job applicant because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or age.