Conservation and Outreach Program Director - Norwalk

About Aspetuck Land Trust

Aspetuck Land Trust (ALT) is a nonprofit, award winning regional conservation organization working with the communities of Fairfield County to protect land forever and connect people to the natural world. Founded in 1966, ALT is one of the largest, most active, and innovative land trusts in Connecticut, protecting 2,200 acres across 147 properties, including 47 nature preserves open to the public.

We are actively growing our impact throughout Fairfield County to increase the pace and scale of land conservation and connect more people to nature. Our Green Corridor 2030 Initiative is a bold program to accelerate conservation in our region.

ALT is a member of the CT Land Conservation Council, which awarded ALT the Excellence in Community Engagement Award in 2024 for our innovative conservation work in Bridgeport.

Position Overview

We are working with the Norwalk Land Trust to support joint conservation efforts in Norwalk. We are looking for a community leader who can lead and manage community engagement around land conservation. This role reports directly to the ALT Executive Director.

Salary and Benefits:

• Compensation: based upon qualifications and experience.
• Paid Time Off: Flexible vacation, holiday, and personal time off.
• Health Insurance: 50% paid by ALT.
• Retirement Plan: 401k with employer matching contributions.

Position Status: Full-time, exempt position.

Schedule and Hours: Flexible and remote. Must have ability to work non-standard hours, including some evenings and weekends.

Travel Requirements:

• • Transportation
  • Must have the ability to meet with key stakeholders throughout the City of Norwalk on any given day.
  • Ability to travel to meetings throughout Fairfield County.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Community Engagement

• Work with Norwalk community groups to leverage partnerships to connect Norwalk residents to nature with support from ALT’s Conservation Outreach and Landowner Engagement staff and the NLT Advisory Committee (NAC).
• Work in partnership with colleagues, partner organizations, and the community at large to build a welcoming, successful, and respected presence.
• Organize nature-based educational hikes and workshops for adults and children including the Farm Creek education program for Norwalk Public School students, the Volunteer Trail Steward program, and other events such as Earth Day and the annual NLT Equinox event.
• Recruit, train, oversee and lead volunteers, interns and community partners supporting land stewardship and community activities.
• Represent ALT at public events, partner meetings, and trainings.

Land Stewardship

• Assist in identifying open space properties to protect in Norwalk.
• Ensure Norwalk conservation properties are well maintained and safe for public access.
• Manage conservation properties including annual inspections and coordination of work by volunteers, contractors, and ALT stewardship staff.
• Plan and manage projects e.g., trail maintenance, invasive removal, trail clearing, etc.
  • Respond to and manage any land-based emergencies.
  • Work within a budget to complete projects, negotiate and contract with vendors and contractors, and assist with budget development.

Common Organizational Responsibilities

• • Identify funding opportunities and contribute to grant proposals to support the annual Norwalk program budget goals. Implement, track, and report on awarded funding.
  • Participate in organizational meetings and activities including monthly staff meetings, trainings, and ad hoc planning committees.
  • Complete all administrative work accurately and on time.
  • Ensure website accurately reflects Norwalk community programming and conservation properties.

Who Are We Looking For?

• Experiences:
  • Not-for-Profit experience is preferred.
  • Independent community / program building
  • Norwalk community exposure
  • Passion – Someone who has a passion for the outdoors and nature.
  • Effective communicator – Conveys ideas clearly and concisely in both verbal and written forms.
  • Strong project manager – Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects running across multiple workstreams in parallel.
  • Persuasive and Influential – Effectively conveys ideas, builds consensus, and motivates others to act.
  • Problem solver – Self-starter who identifies problems and proactively puts forward solutions.
  • Analytic thinker – Ability to interpret data, identify opportunities to improve decision making & strategy based on trends, and leverages information to continually improve.
  • Team player – A leader who embraces team input and leads by engaging colleagues in a collaborative process and is also comfortable making decisions.
  • Technology – Familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel.

To Apply send your

resume, cover letter and 3 references to dbrant@aspetucklandtrust.org

Aspetuck Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Paid Time Off: Flexible vacation, holiday, and personal time off.

Health Insurance: 50% paid by ALT.

Retirement Plan: 401k with employer matching contributions.

English required. Spanish prefered.