Land Program Coordinator

About Us:
The Alaska Farmland Trust (AFT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, agricultural land trust dedicated to the permanent protection of Alaska's limited and valuable agricultural soils. Based in Palmer, Alaska, AFT works to conserve farmlands through agricultural conservation easements, safeguarding the future of farming in Alaska.

We are seeking a part-time Lands Program Coordinator who is mission-driven, personable, and self-motivated to support our conservation efforts. This position plays a critical role in engaging landowners, federal and state partners, and community stakeholders to ensure the successful completion of conservation easement projects. The current workload can be completed in approximately 10-20 hours per week with future potential for growth, if desired. Some remote work and schedule flexibility is available.

Key Responsibilities:

Land Protection:

• Manage all aspects of agricultural conservation easement and related real estate transactions.
• Collaborate with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to apply for federal funding that aims to support landowners looking to create conservation easements on their property
• Pursue grants and funding opportunities to support land protection efforts.
• Build and sustain partnerships to promote agricultural conservation on a regional scale.
• Coordinate consultants to meet mapping, data collection, and funding application requirements.
• Collaborate with AFT’s Lands Committee and provide regular updates to the Board of Directors.

Landowner Engagement:

• Proactively identify and prioritize conservation prospects based on organizational objectives.
• Cultivate relationships with priority landowners and respond to inquiries strategically.
• Act as the primary liaison during project cultivation and management phases.

Stewardship & Enforcement:

• Conduct annual monitoring visits to protected properties.
• Review conservation easements to ensure compliance and address any violations.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to resolve emerging issues on protected properties.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications:

• Project management or relevant experience.
• Strategic thinking, task management, and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication abilities, both written and verbal.
• Independent, self-motivated, and able to prioritize tasks effectively.
• Familiarity with real estate transactions, conservation easements, and agricultural systems.
• Experience in non-profit organizations
• Experience in the agricultural industry.

Scope of Work:

• Serve as the primary contact for NRCS AK and landowners.
• Facilitate closing processes for landowners and finalize deeds with their attorneys.
• Coordinate appraisals, surveys, and required documentation for conservation easements.
• Report bi-weekly updates to the AFT Board of Directors on project status and progress.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $30.00 - $40.00 per hour

Expected hours: 10 – 20 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Ability to Commute:

• Palmer, AK 99645 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Palmer, AK 99645: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Palmer, AK 99645

Salary : $30 - $40