Requirements Manager

Mission

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission (Commission), an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance (Alliance), awards the accreditation seal to community institutions that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. The Commission's mission is to inspire excellence, promote public trust and ensure permanence in the conservation of open lands by recognizing land trust organizations that meet rigorous quality standards and that strive for continuous improvement. More information is available on the Commission’s website, www.landtrustaccreditation.org.

Relationship with Alliance

The Alliance’s mission is to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. Created in 2006 as a separate corporation but supporting organization of the Alliance under Section 509(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Commission was organized exclusively for the benefit of, to perform the functions of, or to carry out the purposes of, the Alliance.

The Commission is governed by a board of volunteer commissioners, who are diverse land conservation and nonprofit management experts from around the country and also serve as application reviewers. The Alliance provides financial management, human resources, communications, and information technology support services to the Commission.

Summary of Position

The Requirements Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of the accreditation requirements that are used to evaluate land trusts are meeting Land Trust Standards and Practices to ensure the fair and consistent evaluation of applications for accreditation. The Requirements Manager also serves as a primary evaluator of applications for accreditation.

The Requirements Manager is part of a dedicated team that implements the national accreditation program to build and recognize strong land trusts, foster public confidence in land conservation and help ensure the long-term protection of land. The Requirements Manager promotes and implements the Commission’s values of integrity, accountability and service.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee the creation, maintenance, revision, and implementation of the Commission’s Requirements Manual
  • Serve as the staff lead for the Commission’s requirements committee, preparing materials for committee discussion and decisions about interpretations of and any revisions to the requirements
  • Direct the annual Requirements Manual review process
  • Track and collate feedback on requirements from internal and external parties
  • Oversee the public comment period to ensure changes to requirements are informed by land trust community feedback
  • Collaborate on the publication of and release of information around the Requirements Manual
  • Collaborate on the integration of changes into accreditation systems
  • Maintain and implement systems to ensure consistent and equitable application of requirements in review and decision-making process
  • Counsel and train reviewers in interpreting and applying requirements and internal protocols
  • Prepare, review, and present materials to aid in Commission decision-making process
  • Collaborate on program innovations and improvements

• Maintain strong relationships with Alliance staff, particularly those working with Land Trust Standards and Practices and/or Requirements Manual
  • Serve as a member of the Alliance’s core team for the Land Trust Standards and Practices revisions
  • Coordinate with the Alliance to ensure educational resources and trainings support land trusts in implementing the requirements

• Serve as a primary reviewer of accreditation applications
  • Evaluate accreditation pre-applications and applications, following procedures and protocols to ensure fair and consistent review of accreditation applications
  • Prepare required documentation as part of accreditation review process
  • Prepare for and document discussions related to applicants, including calls with commissioners and applicant calls
  • Prepare review team reports for Commission consideration
  • Assist with the preparation of material for Commission meetings
  • Attend Commission meetings
  • Help facilitate Commission discussion and decision about applicants
  • Ensure appropriate and timely follow-up on application decisions
  • Maintain Commission records, including data entry
  • Other pre-application and application process steps, as assigned

• Engage with prospective applicants and accredited land trusts to have land trusts feel more connected to the Commission and to have them see the Commission as a resource
  • Diplomatically counsel potential and active program participants about accreditation program benefits, policies and procedures, application documentation, and requirements
  • Serve as primary contact for applicant questions
  • Present webinars and workshops, as assigned
  • Other outreach tasks as assigned

• Serve as a member of a program team dedicated to the development of a successful accreditation program
  • Maintain positive personal demeanor and professional and courteous interactions with colleagues and external parties
  • Maintain the integrity and credibility of the accreditation program
  • Build positive relationships with commissioners and other volunteers
  • Manage personal administrative needs
  • Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of five years of direct experience in land conservation, nonprofit management, or accreditation programs
• Knowledge of how land trusts implement Land Trust Standards and Practices and an understanding of the land trust accreditation program
• A minimum of a four-year college degree
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Extraordinary attention to detail
• Proven ability to work independently while meeting high-quality standards in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment
• Excellent computer skills, including working with Microsoft Office and web-based databases
• Understanding of and willingness to adhere to strict confidentiality policies
• Ability to work well with the public in potentially challenging situations
• Flexibility, creativity, and sense of humor
• Ability to travel up to eight percent (8%) annually
• Commitment to creating a successful accreditation program

Compensation

The budgeted salary range for this position is $80,000 - $85,000, commensurable with skills, years of experience, physical location, and unique background and qualifications of the candidate.

The Commission offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, vision, and other health coverage; life and disability insurance; paid vacation, personal, sick, and holiday leave; and 403(b) retirement benefits.

Application

Please submit your application for this position, attaching your resume and cover letter, on the following link: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/portal/6227417D7628634A011AD3C831A6FA87/jobs/200810. If the electronic application is not an option, applications will be accepted by mail to Human Resources, Land Trust Alliance, 1250 H St, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005.

The Alliance and the Commission are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status.