Landscape Conservation Program Manager (REMOTE)

Salary Range: $63,000.00 To $67,000.00 Annually Organizational Mission: The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Position Summary The Landscape Conservation Program Manager reports to the Director of Landscape Conservation and advances landscape-scale conservation initiatives across the Appalachian Trail landscape. The position develops and supports strategic partnerships, collaborative conservation networks, and conservation incentive programs that further ATC's Protect pillar goals. The Program Manager oversees the Wild East Action Fund (WEAF) and related grantmaking programs, serves as the primary coordinator of the Northern Appalachian Trail Landscape Partnership, manages relationships with public and private stakeholders, and supports the implementation of conservation projects and collaborative initiatives. Working across ATC departments and with external partners, this role helps advance durable conservation outcomes through effective program management, grant administration, partnership coordination, and stakeholder engagement. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Landscape Conservation Partnerships & Community Networks Support As assigned, lead, coordinate, or support multi-scale conservation partnerships (e.g., ATLP, NATLP, other regional conservation efforts), ensuring strong collaboration with external partners. Serving as the main point of contact for partners, as assigned, and/or managing discrete partnership deliverables, services, and/or committees. Support the continued evolution of the A.T. Community Program to deepen conservation and stewardship focused engagement. Collaborate with ATC staff to define and implement designated community responsibilities, accountability, contributing overall to strengthening network engagement and ATC’s leadership and partnership frameworks. Support the implementation of Landscape Conservation Partnership and A.T. Community portfolios of work as assigned, both short-term discreet projects and longer term, ongoing, partnership services. Strategic Conservation Incentives Management & Development (Regranting, Research, & Tools) Oversee the full Wild East Action Fund (WEAF) grant cycle, including pre-award, award, and post award planning, communications, coordination, implementation, and reporting. Facilitate internal communication and collaboration across ATC’s Departments, conservation, trail operations, support services, and engagement, ensuring the smooth administration of the WEAF. Coordinate and manage external partners for the successful execution of WEAF application review and selection process. Provide technical assistance and programmatic support to WEAF grantees to strengthen conservation efforts along the A.T. landscape. Maintain detailed recordkeeping, documentation, and reporting data for each grantee, inclusive of managing grant agreements, amendments, grantee report submissions, metrics, and outcomes. Provide maintenance to and troubleshooting for existing GIS-based tools and data resources developed by the Landscape Conservation Team (e.g. ATLAS-IT, Conservation Project Portfolio). Ensure integration of mapping and data tools into partner engagement and funding strategies. Build awareness of ATC’s Conservation Incentive Program’s portfolio to multiple audiences including potential applicants, strategic partners, and the public. Develop and maintain systems for tracking project outcomes and measuring conservation impact to ensure alignment with ATC’s landscape conservation priorities and broader conservation outcomes for ATC’s Protect pillar goals. Ensure appropriate communication and collaboration internally within ATC’s departments and externally with conservation partners. Attending external partner conferences and meetings and internal staff meetings, retreats, and other relevant convenings as assigned. As needed, prepare and report on Strategic Conservation Incentives Program deliverables to appropriate ATC funders possibly including, but not limited to, the National Park Service, philanthropic foundations, and private funders. Identify, support, and create opportunities to develop, scale, and/or replicate conservation incentives to meet partnership or organizational needs for conservation outcomes. Project Management & Administration As assigned, oversee the full lifecycle of contract-work to support ATC’s landscape conservation team inclusive of contract agreements, invoicing, financial and deliverable tracking. As needed, prepare and report on contract work to appropriate ATC funders possibly including but not limited to the National Park Service, philanthropic foundations, and private funders. As assigned, supervise staff, fellows, interns, or volunteers. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in environmental science, conservation, natural resource management, public administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 3–5 years of experience managing collaborative conservation, land protection, or landscapescale conservation initiatives. Knowledge of landscape conservation principles, partnership development, and collaborative approaches involving public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to coordinate diverse partners, manage multiple projects, and achieve results in a collaborative environment. Experience managing grants, funding agreements, or conservation incentive programs, including tracking deliverables and compliance requirements. Strong written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage a variety of audiences. Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to work independently while managing competing priorities. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and database systems; familiarity with GIS applications and conservation planning tools preferred. Ability to supervise seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers assigned. Preferred Qualifications Experience Experience with grant writing, grant administration, regranting programs, grant reporting, and conservation finance. Knowledge of public and private conservation funding sources, including federal, state, philanthropic, and foundation grants. Experience working with large-scale conservation partnerships, land trusts, government agencies, and regional conservation coalitions. Experience engaging in rural communities and municipalities, particularly within the Appalachian region. Three or more years of experience supervising staff, interns, volunteers, or project teams. Proficiency with ESRI GIS applications and related data management and communication tools. Familiarity with the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and its cooperative management framework. Physical Demands and Work Environment Ability to maintain a home office with reliable internet access; access to an ATC office may be available based on location and office capacity. Ability to communicate effectively through virtual platforms, email, telephone, and in-person meetings. Prolonged periods of computer and telephone use. Ability to occasionally lift and move up to 20 pounds. Periodic travel throughout ATC's 14-state service area and beyond for meetings, workshops, community events, and conferences (approximately 10–15% travel). Occasional evening and weekend work required to support meetings, events, and partner engagement activities. Additional Details: Location: Residence in one of the 14 Trail states (Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, preference for location in the following: New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine). Annual Salary Range: ($63k - $67k) Health, dental, and vision insurance available. Company paid long-term disability and life insurance provided. 403(b) Retirement Plan with up to 7% match after 1 year of service. ATC Equal Employment Opportunity Statement ATC encourages collaboration, flexibility, and fairness with all employees and volunteers to enable participation and contributions to their fullest potential. We are committed to being an inclusive organization and recognize that a broad range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds contributes to an effective and successful organizational culture and mission. ATC prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and/or expression), national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, political affiliation, union membership, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the locations where we operate. ATC's Identity Statement