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Senior Project Associate
New Haven, CTWho We Are:
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is the leader of a movement to connect everyone in America to the outdoors. A national nonprofit, TPL partners with communities to create high-quality parks and protect public lands—especially in communities that need them most—to improve public health, create social cohesion, strengthen historic and cultural connection to place, and increase climate resilience. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,500 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, generated over $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.
Position Summary:
The Senior Project Associate provides project support and coordination to Trust for Public Land’s efforts in Connecticut to protect land, create trails, and advance our mission to create parks and protect land for people, ensuring healthy and livable communities for generations to come. This role involves conservation strategy, negotiation, public grant writing support, community outreach, stakeholder coordination, and project management assistance.
This position is based in New Haven, Connecticut. The role operates statewide and may also participate in conservation projects in TPL’s Mid-Atlantic region (CT, NY, NJ, PA). This position reports to the Senior Project Manager of land protection in Connecticut.
Responsibilities:
Qualifications:
Compensation:
As a full-time, exempt employee, you will be eligible for Trust for Public Land's comprehensive benefits program, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, sick and holiday time (including a one-week winter break), 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 $70,000-$80,000 annually.
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.
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is the leader of a movement to connect everyone in America to the outdoors. A national nonprofit, TPL partners with communities to create high-quality parks and protect public lands—especially in communities that need them most—to improve public health, create social cohesion, strengthen historic and cultural connection to place, and increase climate resilience. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,500 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, generated over $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.
Position Summary:
The Senior Project Associate provides project support and coordination to Trust for Public Land’s efforts in Connecticut to protect land, create trails, and advance our mission to create parks and protect land for people, ensuring healthy and livable communities for generations to come. This role involves conservation strategy, negotiation, public grant writing support, community outreach, stakeholder coordination, and project management assistance.
This position is based in New Haven, Connecticut. The role operates statewide and may also participate in conservation projects in TPL’s Mid-Atlantic region (CT, NY, NJ, PA). This position reports to the Senior Project Manager of land protection in Connecticut.
Responsibilities:
- Assists land protection staff in all phases of land acquisition projects and programmatic initiatives, including conservation project research; outreach to landowners, cities/towns, governmental agencies, non-profit partners, and community groups; and coordination with title companies, appraisers, surveyors and other due diligence consultants.
- Supports project and legal staff on land protection projects in Connecticut including tracking critical project dates, due diligence review, real estate closing preparation and other responsibilities as needed.
- Assists in research, development, and writing of public and private grant applications for Connecticut projects and programs.
- Supports community engagement, planning processes, and design/construction/restoration efforts related to TPL land, trail, and other projects.
- Supports development and management of Connecticut projects by participating in peer network engagement.
- Supports conservation finance efforts related to TPL mission delivery.
- Responds to inquiries by and conducts strategic outreach to individuals, community groups and government agencies regarding land protection projects.
- Prepares graphic and written materials for presentations and other project related needs.
- Manages special events held by TPL including fundraising and community events.
- Responsible for various administrative tasks including invoice submission, project tracking, and grant reporting.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Course work or experience in environmental studies, conservation, real estate, public policy, environmental justice, or related area.
- One or more years of related experience or equivalent, two or more years preferred.
- Demonstrated commitment to parks, land conservation and communities.
- Ability to balance sound business sense and judgment with commitment to TPL’s mission.
- Superior written and oral communications skills.
- Ability to connect with people, collaborate in coalition, and negotiate with diverse groups and interests.
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to work on complex projects.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office suite, graphics and spreadsheets.
- Experience with GIS, mapping and legal contracts a plus.
- Ability to work under pressure, juggle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work independently or as a team member as appropriate.
- Ability to take initiative, make suggestions, be creative and solve problems.
- Strong people skills, ease with many types of personalities.
- Community engagement skills.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends as needed.
- Travel within Connecticut and in region.
- Knowledge and understanding of TPL’s commitments to community, equity, climate, and health as well as understanding of what it takes to deliver the mission on the ground via land, parks, trails, and schoolyards.
Compensation:
As a full-time, exempt employee, you will be eligible for Trust for Public Land's comprehensive benefits program, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, sick and holiday time (including a one-week winter break), 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 $70,000-$80,000 annually.
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.