Land Conservation Associate Position Available In Mecklenburg, North Carolina

Land Conservation Associate Catawba Lands Conservancy – 5.0 Charlotte, NC Job Details Full-time $45,000 – $55,000 a year 2 days ago Benefits Health insurance Paid time off Qualifications ArcGIS Bachelor’s degree Communication skills Entry level Time management GIS Full Job Description Want to dig into restoration and dive into geospatial data? We’re looking for a Land Stewardship Associate to join our conservation team—someone excited to blend fieldwork with GIS, support habitat restoration, and build strong relationships with stakeholders. This is an entry-level role with big potential—you’ll gain exposure to the full spectrum of land conservation, from monitoring properties to mapping habitat trends for long-term land stewardship. If you’re passionate about promoting nature and eager to grow in a mission-driven team, join Catawba Lands Conservancy- where boots hit the ground and careers take off. Catawba Lands Conservancy (CLC) and Carolina Thread Trail (CTT) is a nonprofit organization that permanently conserves and manages land and advances trail in the Southern Piedmont of North Carolina. The organization is dedicated to conserving land and connecting lives to nature. CLC protects large parcels of natural land that contribute to clean water, provide habitat for wildlife, support local farms and provide public access to nature, conserving over 18,000 acres to date. CTT is a growing regional network of trails, greenways, and blueways that connect 2.5 million people in 15 counties across North and South Carolina. CLC and CTT also actively engage the public in their mission through community partnerships, volunteer workdays, outdoor programs and special events. The Land Conservation Associate role is integral to the success of advancing the mission of CLC and CTT. The position is a member of the Land Conservation team and works with the team to assist with land conservation projects through outreach to landowners and public groups, grant applications, due diligence, record keeping and compliance, and post-closing relationships with landowners.

Core Values:

We embrace and pursue possibility. We are learners and teachers. We respect and value others. We are dedicated to mission.

Role Summary:

The Land Stewardship Associate is a key member of the Land Conservation and Stewardship team, supporting the long-term protection and management of conserved lands. This position focuses on annual monitoring, spatial data management, baseline documentation, and habitat restoration activities. The role blends office-based GIS and administrative tasks with frequent fieldwork and community engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

Property Monitoring & Documentation Conduct annual monitoring of conservation easements and CLC-owned properties. Prepare monitoring reports and maintain accurate, organized stewardship records. Assist in developing baseline documentation and Stewardship Management Plans. GIS & Data Management Create, update, and manage GIS datasets and maps for conservation and stewardship. Produce spatial analyses and dashboards to support planning and compliance. Maintain GIS records in ArcGIS and internal platforms such as Landscape. Habitat Enhancement & Fieldwork Support implementation of habitat enhancement projects (e.g., invasive species removal, native plantings, prescribed fire). Help coordinate and lead volunteer workdays. Landowner & Partner Engagement Serve as a point of contact for landowners during monitoring and stewardship activities. Communicate best practices for conservation management and easement compliance. Collaborate with contractors, partners, and internal staff to support project success. Administrative & Technical Support Assist with grant writing, tracking, and reporting. Contribute to project file management, mapping requests, and outreach materials.

Qualifications & Skills:

Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. Proficiency with ArcGIS Pro and related geospatial tools; experience with Landscape a plus. Core Skills Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal abilities with a talent for relationship-building. Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills. Ability to prioritize tasks in a dynamic environment. Personal Traits Self-motivated with the ability to work independently. Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities. Collaborative mindset with a “team over self” philosophy. Genuine passion for conservation and mission-driven work.

Work Environment:

Office Work:

Includes email, phone, and virtual communication.

Field Work:

Regular travel to monitor properties and implement stewardship projects.

Evenings & Weekends:

Occasionally required for community events, committee meetings, or landowner engagement.

Compensation Information:

This position is full-time, salaried with benefits including medical insurance, paid time off, and Simple IRA with matched contribution. Salary range is $45,000 – $55,000, commensurate with experience. Flexible scheduling and some remote work available. Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Catawba Lands Conservancy and Carolina Thread Trail provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.