Information Officer – Land Acquisition Specialist

Leverage your real estate experience to drive meaningful conservation efforts across New York state! We’re seeking a full-time Land Acquisition Specialist to support New York State’s Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP), a statewide reimbursement grant program that can be used to fund projects that directly improve water quality, promote flood resiliency, or protect drinking water sources.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you will:

• Review and evaluate land acquisition documents—including appraisals, environmental assessments, title reports, and deeds—to ensure compliance with WQIP program standards.
• Conduct property ownership and title research, review valuations, and support updates to conservation easement templates in coordination with state and partner organizations.
• Support program management by assisting grant awardees, tracking project documentation, maintaining review databases, and identifying opportunities to improve program guidance and resources.
• Communicate program goals and outcomes through presentations, reports, and outreach materials for stakeholders and the public.

Preferred Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a passion and interest in preserving and advancing water quality. Ideally the candidate will have:

• Three years of experience in real estate work, including one year performing at least two of the following: inspection and appraisal of real property, legal research related to the sale of real property, title search, survey work in a responsible position determining property lines, and appraisal negotiations or related work with a public acquisition agency.
• A bachelor’s degree is preferred, but relevant experience may be substituted.
• Experience with community outreach, stakeholder engagement, or communicating with the public about state and federal programs.

Logistics

This full-time NEIWPCC position will work 7.5 hours per day and is based in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation office located in Albany, NY. Duties will be performed largely in an office setting with the potential for occasional travel, for which a valid driver’s license and private means of transportation are required. After six months of employment, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule, subject to approval and program needs.

What We Offer

The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $65,000 to $80,000. NEIWPCC offers an outstanding comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees:

• Offers great health, dental and vision coverage with low premiums, deductibles and co-pays.
• Contributes 10% of annual base salary to employee retirement plan.
• Provides generous paid time off: three weeks of accrued vacation time, three weeks of accrued sick time, three personal days, holidays and volunteer leave.
• Funds tuition reimbursement and professional development.
• Qualifies for the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness program.

To Apply

Submit your cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org. Please reference job code #26-NYS-SW-DEC-006 in the email subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description and benefits may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.

About NEIWPCC

NEIWPCC is a regional commission that helps the states of the Northeast preserve and advance water quality. We engage and convene water quality professionals and other interested parties from New England and New York to collaborate on water, wastewater, and environmental science challenges across shared regions, ecosystems, and areas of expertise. Our mission is to advance clean water in the Northeast through collaboration with, and service to, our member states. NEIWPCC is an equal opportunity employer.

NEIWPCC offers an outstanding comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees:

• Offers great health, dental and vision coverage with low premiums, deductibles and co-pays.
• Contributes 10% of annual base salary to employee retirement plan.
• Provides generous paid time off: three weeks of accrued vacation time, three weeks of accrued sick time, three personal days, holidays and volunteer leave.
• Funds tuition reimbursement and professional development.
• Qualifies for the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness program.