Job Title: Land Protection Specialist

Location: Primarily reports to Loveland, OH. However, work will occur throughout the Greater Cincinnati region.

Posting End Date: April 10, 2026

About the Organization:

Cardinal Land Conservancy Inc. (“CLC”) is a non-profit land trust that works throughout southwest Ohio and southeast Indiana to acquire and manage land for conservation purposes. CLC protects agricultural lands through easements and natural areas though fee-simple ownership. Cardinal manages owned lands for public benefit and engages the community to attract members and donors through regional outreach and events.

Position Description:

The Land Protection Specialist is responsible for identifying, negotiating, and securing conservation properties and easements; building strong relationships with landowners, partners, and funders; and overseeing land acquisition projects from initial outreach through closing. This position reports to the Director of Conservation and works in close collaboration with Conservation and Operations Teams to ensure that all land transactions meet Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices and CLC Policy.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Development
  • Identify and evaluate high-priority conservation opportunities, including agricultural lands, natural areas, and culturally significant properties
  • Build and maintain relationships with landowners; serve as a primary point of contact for land protection inquiries
  • Conduct site visits to assess conservation values, risks, and opportunities; communicate findings through clear reports and presentations
• Acquisition Project Management
  • Lead land and conservation easement acquisition projects from initiation through closing, including negotiation and due diligence
  • Manage project timelines, budgets, and documentation to ensure efficient, compliant transactions,
• Partnerships and Funding Support
  • Prepare and submit funding applications (e.g., Clean Ohio Program and other public and private sources)
  • Cultivate and sustain relationships with community leaders, partner organizations, and public agencies
  • Collaborate with philanthropy staff to identify funding needs and secure support through grants and private giving
• Organizational Collaboration
  • Contribute to a collaborative team culture by sharing expertise, supporting colleagues, and advancing organizational goals in alignment with individual strengths

Qualifications & Experience

We recognize that candidates may gain relevant skills through a variety of professional, lived, and volunteer experiences. If you’re excited about this role but not sure you meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply.

To be successful in this role, the candidate must be a self-directed professional capable of advancing projects independently. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to think creatively and solve complex problems. A commitment to continuous learning is important, as the role will regularly involve navigating new and evolving situations.

Preferred Qualifications include:

• Relevant experience in land conservation, natural resource management, real estate, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with landowners, partners, and communities
• Proven capacity to manage multiple complex, long-term projects with diverse stakeholders
• Commitment to conservation and land protection; familiarity with conservation tools (e.g., easements, acquisitions) and related real estate principles, or ability to learn quickly
• Knowledge of regional conservation priorities and threats
• Strong communication, negotiation, and organizational skills

Work Hours & Organizational Structure

This is a full-time paid position. The position is expected to work 40 hours per week, with hours occasionally required outside normal business hours. Work will be varied and will require the employee to travel throughout our service area to meet landowners.

How To Apply

To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume and availability (start dates) to Madeline Banks: madeline@cardinallandconservancy.org