News
TRLC Looks to Hire a Land Stewardship Specialist
The Tar River Land Conservancy (TRLC) is looking to hire a full-time Land Stewardship Specialist. This will be a permanent staff member joining our Stewardship Team. The Tar River Land Conservancy is a nationally accredited land trust headquartered in Louisburg, North Carolina. Since 2000, TRLC has protected 24,600 acres of land across an eight-county region of North Carolina by holding conservation easements and acquiring properties. TRLC acquires land and conservation easements to protect water quality and stream buffers, working farms and forest, wildlife habitat and natural areas, and recreational open spaces. The Land Stewardship Specialist position will be based out of TRLC’s office in Louisburg, NC, but will travel across TRLC’s eight-county region using company vehicles. Remote work is not available for this position. The Land Stewardship Specialist will be supervised by the Executive Director, but will work closely with other staff members, volunteers, and government agency partners to complete core duties. This position will require ten to fifteen days per month in the field, often working in rugged conditions, as well as extensive work with our volunteers and trail crew.
Primary Duties
· Manage and oversee the monitoring of conservation easements held by TRLC. Tasks include communicating with landowners, scheduling and conducting field visits and meetings, marking easement boundaries, preparing reports, and organizing property records.
· Coordinate and oversee the monitoring of State of North Carolina-held conservation easements that are monitored by TRLC under contract.
· Identify and document violations of conservation easements and work with the TRLC leadership team and landowners to resolve violations.
· Oversee the monitoring of properties owned in fee simple by TRLC. Tasks include scheduling and conducting field visits, preparing monitoring reports, maintaining stewardship records, and communicating with neighbors and lessees as necessary.
· Work closely with TRLC staff and committee members to set land management goals and objectives and prepare management plans for TRLC-owned properties.
· Design and oversee land management projects on TRLC-owned properties, such as boundary marking, maintaining fencing and gates, restoration plantings, site cleanups, and hiking trails.
· Maintain and archive land stewardship records in accordance with TRLC policies and national land trust accreditation standards.
Other Duties
· Prepare Baseline Documentation Reports for newly protected properties.
· Write grant proposals to fund stewardship projects and administer awarded grants.
· Coordinate access to TRLC’s properties for monitoring of natural resources by governmental agencies, researchers, students, and citizen-scientists.
· Coordinate access to TRLC’s properties for biologists to monitor and enhance populations of rare, threatened, and endangered species.
· Supervise volunteers who assist with land stewardship projects.
· Participate in hikes, presentations, and fundraisers held for supporters, project partners, government officials, and the community at-large. Such events are occasionally held on weekday evenings and weekends.
· Collect field data on properties evaluated for protection. Conduct basic GIS analyses and prepare maps, spreadsheets, and draft reports to summarize such properties.
· Oversee maintenance and upkeep of buildings located on TRLC-owned properties.
Required Qualifications, Skills, and Expectations
· Commitment to the mission of the TRLC to protect private lands and significant natural resources using conservation easements, fee simple acquisitions, and other tools.
· Bachelor’s degree or higher in natural resources management, forestry, conservation biology, wildlife management or a related discipline.
· Three or more years of professional experience working for a land trust, other nonprofit conservation organization, governmental agency, environmental restoration or consulting firm, or similar employer.
· Proficiency using ESRI ArcGIS software and MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
· Familiarity with the plants and wildlife of the Piedmont of North Carolina.
· Ability to work independently outdoors year-round using compass, maps, GPS equipment and to carrying field equipment, often in rugged field conditions.
· Ability to lift objects that weigh a minimum of 50 pounds
· Ability to walk several miles a day and to perform land management activities in all weather conditions
· Ability to function productively both independently and as a member of a project team.
· Ability to work efficiently to meet deadlines.
· Ability to establish rapport and common ground with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, ages, and life experiences.
· Enthusiasm and aptitude for learning on the job.
· Exceptional writing and record keeping skills.
· Possess a valid driver’s license with a safe driving record.
· A desire to work with volunteers
Desired Qualifications, Skills, and Expectations
· Familiarity with the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices and the Land Trust Accreditation Commission requirements for land protection and stewardship.
· Experience driving a 4-wheel drive vehicle off of paved roads.
· Experience interpreting aerial photos.
· Experience preparing grant applications.
· Experience organizing and supervising volunteers.
· Experience overseeing work completed by contractors.
· Experience overcoming adversity to complete projects.
· Willingness to learn how to manage multi-stage projects with multiple constituencies
Pay & Benefits
The Land Stewardship Specialist is a full-time salaried position based on a 40-hour work week. Benefits associated with this position include health, disability, and life insurance coverage, retirement plan, paid holidays, vacation time, and sick leave.
To Apply
Application review will begin on November 16, 2026. The position is open until filled. Send a cover letter, resume, transcripts, and list of three professional references by email to Amy Edge, Associate Director/General Counsel, at aedge@tarriver.org. Please include “TRLC Land Stewardship Specialist” in the subject line. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for this position. If you are selected for an interview, we will request a writing sample and a sample of your ArcGIS work. If you are made an offer of employment, you must complete a background record check, and you must provide us with a copy of your driving record.
To see this job post as a PDF, please navigate to our “Job Opportunities” Page
TRLC Board Begins Search for New Executive Director
The Board of Directors of Tar River Land Conservancy (TRLC) seek applications to hire a new Executive Director. To view the job announcement, go to this page. TRLC’s long-time Executive Director, Derek Halberg, is departing to pursue a new opportunity in his land trust career. TRLC is a nationally accredited land trust headquartered in Louisburg, North Carolina. Since 2000, TRLC has protected 24,600 acres of land across an eight-county region of North Carolina. The Executive Director coordinates all TRLC operations and fundraising activities, and provides leadership and staff supervision to support the TRLC mission. The Executive Director works closely with the Board of Directors to ensure the financial health of the organization and monitors and reports progress to the Board and/or standing committees on a regular basis. The Executive Director oversees management of budget, staff, and properties, as well as its land acquisition, community outreach, and fundraising activities. The Executive Director provides leadership and support to the Board of Directors, is under the supervision of the Board President, and reports to the Board. As the principal spokesperson for TRLC, the Executive Director must display the highest standards of professionalism, cooperation, integrity, and maintain positive relationships with landowners, funders, members of the community (both public and private), and our many conservation partners. This position is open until filled. Application review will begin on Monday, November 2, 2026.
2026 Stewardship Internship Announcement
TRLC is now accepting applications for its 12-week Stewardship Internship during the summer of 2026. Continue reading
Land Gift Honors Life of Fred Battaglia
A 22-acre land gift to TRLC honors the life of Fred Battaglia. TRLC staff recently hosted a tour of property with family and friends of Mr. Battaglia. TRLC will manage the land as part of the future Hatchers Run Nature Preserve. Continue reading
Land Acquired for Future Person County Nature Preserve
TRLC purchased the 85-acre Mt. Harmony Tract in Person County in early November 2024 with funding contributions from Person County government, City of Durham, and City of Raleigh. The site will eventually be opened to the public as a nature trails. Continue reading
Sign Up for Fall Hikes with TRLC!
Get outside and enjoy the fall foliage by joining Tar River Land Conservancy (TRLC) for guided fall nature hikes in Granville and Person Counties led by naturalist Alvin Braswell and TRLC staff. Learn about the ecology of the area and the work of Tar River Land Conservancy and our partners to preserve special places for wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, and clean water.
TRLC Applies for Re-Accreditation
TRLC is applying for re-accreditation with the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. The Commission will conduct an extensive review of TRLC’s policies and programs. The Commission invites public comments on how TRLC complies with national standards. Continue reading
Register for April 22nd Spring Hike at Picture Branch
Join TRLC supporters for a guided nature hike on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the Picture Branch Nature Preserve. Visitors will get a sneak preview of future public hiking trails. Continue reading
Trail Building Events in Granville County
TRLC needs your help to build nature trails at the future Horseshoe Road Nature Preserve and Robertson Creek Nature Preserve near Creedmoor. Continue reading
Battaglia Land Gift Sets Stage for Future Nature Preserve
A significant land donation from Fred Battaglia to Tar River Land Conservancy (TRLC) has ensured that 59 acres of open space will remain undeveloped in Oxford, North Carolina. In the coming years, TRLC plans to work with local officials to create a new nature preserve on the property, which will include a network of hiking trails for visitors. Continue reading
Accredited since 2013 by:
