Who We Are:

At TPL, we're a team of outdoor advocates who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. As an ethos, we believe access to the outdoors is a fundamental human need and essential to our health and well-being. We're committed to creating more places that bring us outside—parks, trails, playgrounds, and public lands—and making them available and welcoming to everyone, everywhere, regardless of ZIP code. We also understand that land has meaning; it tells the story of our history. That's why, through our Black History and Culture initiative, we're working to preserve sites that more fully represent the Black American experience; and we're an ally and partner to Tribal and Indigenous communities, working in partnership to reconnect them with their ancestral lands.

One hundred million people, including 28 million children, don't have nearby access to a park within ten minutes of their home. We're determined to change this outdoor equity gap–and as a result, nine million people and counting now have access because of our work. We have miles to go and a plan to get there. We're inclusive change-makers who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. We inspire by paving the way forward and strengthening our connection to nature. Join us!

With over thirty offices across the country, The Trust for Public Land’s vision is an America where every community can connect with nature near and far. The Pennsylvania team is looking for a dynamic Project Manager to join them in permanently protecting land that can be planned, managed, owned, and used by the community, for the community and deliver cleaner air and water, healthier communities, equitable and connected neighborhoods, and a more resilient and livable environment for all.

Position Summary:

TPL Ohio seeks a Project Manager II to direct conservation priorities that align with TPL’s national mission and fulfill local priorities outlined in our local work plan. The core responsibility of this role will be to manage transactions to secure trail corridors and protect land, creating equitable close to home access to nature and the outdoors across the state of Ohio.

TPL’s conservation priorities in this region include working with private landowners, public stakeholders and related environmental groups who share our interest in improving the health of Ohio’s natural assets and water resources.

To accomplish this goal, this position will be expected to maintain our standard for equitable, community centered mission fulfillment by drawing on TPL’s expertise in technology and outreach to help communities plan their conservation goals, and using our finance, legal, and transaction expertise to accomplish them.

The Project Manager II is a key member of The Trust for Public Land’s Ohio team. This person works to acquire and conserve priority lands that enhance and expand access to our public lands, ensure local residents have close-to-home parks, trails and open space and help rural communities fulfill their visions for the landscapes that surround them. The Project Manager II will use a broad spectrum of nonprofit land acquisition techniques and sound business practices to produce tangible, lasting on-the-ground results. This position generates support for The Trust for Public Land through donations and the successful completion of real estate transactions.

Our land protection work ranges from neighborhood parks to national parks. By employing a can-do spirit and a creative, collaborative and entrepreneurial approach, we have developed a reputation as an organization that gets things done, and does so in partnership with local communities, neighborhoods and partner organizations. The person in this position will have a passion for conservation, a sense of humor, and a true zeal for real estate deals. The Project Manager II will play a lead role in advancing and accelerating projects that advance The Trust for Public Land’s “land for people” mission.

Essential Functions:

Assumes primary responsibility for identifying, negotiating, documenting and closing real estate transactions with the assistance of legal and finance staff.
Explores potential projects by contacting owners, nonprofit organizations and public agency officials.
Assumes primary responsibility for securing interim financing and permanent funding for land acquisitions through existing or new public and private funding sources.
Develops and implements strategies prior to acquisition of key resource properties and their conveyance to public agencies or other permanent stewards.
Conducts due diligence for transactions, which involves researching and executing all phases of projects from initial outreach and landowner negotiation through coordination with attorneys and supervision of appraisers, surveyors, and other consultants.
Identifies areas in which TPL's interim protection strategy is needed for the preservation of open space lands of critical local, regional, or national importance; develops and maintains portfolio of potential projects; responds to inquiries by individuals, groups, agencies, etc.
Work to develop and maintain relationships with strategic partners like other nonprofit and for-profit organizations, government agencies, Universities and other entities as needed.
Generates revenues for The Trust for Public Land through transactions and/or fundraising in the private sector.
Builds public awareness and understanding of The Trust for Public Land through outreach events, public speaking engagements, fundraising efforts and creating a public presence for The Trust for Public Land in the community.
Completes assorted administrative tasks required for a well-regulated organization.
Assists with the training of new project associates, field representatives, and project managers, etc.
Assists with legislative planning and outreach for future projects.
Involved in programmatic work, such as the coordination of a land acquisition program covering multiple land transactions.
Other relevant duties as necessary.

Qualifications:

Minimum of four years of land conservation real estate transaction experience required.
Minimum of four years project-related or equivalent land trust or non-profit experience desirable.
Bachelor's degree preferred
This position requires moderate to heavy travel. Evening work can be expected sometimes.
Strong commitment to TPL’s shared values (Belonging, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Hope) to effectively work across the organization.

Special Knowledge and Skills:

Superior written and oral communication skills.
Computer proficiency.
Demonstrated understanding of real property and tax law, land use planning techniques, and government land acquisition policies/procedures.
Able to negotiate successful transactions.
Able to work on complex projects with moderate levels of supervision.
Able to initiate fundraising efforts.

Interaction with Others:

Interacts with external professionals who are involved with buying and selling land: surveyors, lawyers, planners, appraisers, landowners and elected officials.
Should be comfortable with public speaking and with representing TPL to the public at outreach events.

Compensation:
Trust for Public Land is a hybrid work environment, and this role will ideally be located near a Trust for Public Land office. As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for the Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation and sick pay plus holidays, a year end office closure, and a 403(b)-retirement plan, currently with up to a 7% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the anticipated hiring range for this position is $90,000 to $100,000.

Trust for Public Land’s active goal is to be an inclusive and equitable place to work and build community. As the organization actively works to eliminate racial and other disparities it welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets. We are open to the possibility that a great candidate for this job may not precisely meet all the above criteria; if you believe you are the right person for this job and can persuasively make that case, we encourage you to apply.