Ontario Bays Program Manager

THOUSAND ISLANDS LAND TRUST

JOB DESCRIPTION – ONTARIO BAYS PROGRAM MANAGER

Background: The Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) is a regional, community-based nonprofit organization founded in 1984 and incorporated as an independent, 501(c)(3) organization in 1985. TILT's mission is to conserve the natural beauty, diverse wildlife habitats, water quality and outdoor recreation opportunities of the Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence River Valley region, for present and future generations.

TILT works with private landowners, community and government leaders, and conservation partners to conserve flora and fauna, water and air quality, and our region's most important environmental resources. The goal of TILT's work is a greater quality of life, an improved foundation for the economy, and an enhanced environment.

Since its incorporation, TILT has helped lead land conservation efforts throughout the Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence River Valley region. Today, TILT conserves over 15,000 acres of sensitive habitat, which support the overall health of the St. Lawrence River ecosystem and the vitality of our local economies. TILT was awarded National Accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission in 2009.

TILT is expanding its regional conservation capacity throughout Eastern Lake Ontario and the Ontario Bays region through an expanded partnership with the Ontario Bays Initiative (OBI) Land Trust. This partnership provides an opportunity to build upon OBI's conservation accomplishments, community relationships, volunteer network, and regional knowledge while expanding TILT's ability to protect and steward our regions’ important lands and waters.

Job Description: The Ontario Bays Program Manager will serve as TILT's primary staff representative throughout the Ontario Bays region and will lead the development and implementation of TILT's and OBI’s regional conservation program in Eastern Lake Ontario.

The Program Manager will work closely with TILT's Executive Director and staff, volunteers, landowners, donors, municipalities, conservation partners, and the Ontario Bays Advisory Committee to expand land conservation, stewardship, fundraising, and community engagement throughout the region. The position will manage TILT's presence along Lake Ontario, including the townships of Cape Vincent, Lyme, Brownville, Hounsfield, Henderson and Ellisburg and their respective villages, and help coordinate the Ontario Bays Advisory Committee. The position will maintain relationships with existing conservation partners and stakeholders, and identify new opportunities to advance the missions of TILT and OBI throughout the Ontario Bays region.

The Program Manager will also play an important role in strengthening TILT's organizational capacity by ensuring that the expanded partnership with OBI results in greater conservation impact, stronger community relationships, and increased capacity to protect and steward important lands.     

As a year-round, non-exempt, full-time position, the Ontario Bays Program Manager will work between 40–45 hours/week. The position will work between TILT's Clayton office and OBI’s Chaumont office.

Tentative start date is October 12th. 

The responsibilities of the Program Manager include, but are not limited to the following:

Primary Responsibilities

I. Regional Conservation & Program Development

• Serve as TILT's primary staff representative throughout the Ontario Bays region and maintain strong relationships with landowners, municipalities, volunteers, donors, and conservation/environmental partners.
• Represent TILT and OBI at community meetings, public programs, events, and other activities throughout the region.
• Create engaging content for social media, the website, email communications, and print materials that highlights TILT’s and OBI’s conservation work, educational programming, events, and community impact.
• Work with TILT staff and the Ontario Bays Advisory Committee to identify and advance regional land conservation, stewardship, recreation, and community engagement opportunities.

II. Community Engagement & Fundraising

• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, members, volunteers, and community partners throughout the Ontario Bays region.
• Recruit, train, coordinate and recognize volunteers who help deliver TILT’s educational programs, community events and stewardship initiatives. 
• Work with TILT's Executive Director and Development & Communications staff to support fundraising, grant development, membership, communications, and outreach.
• Help organize and participate in TILT/OBI events, educational programs, preserve tours, volunteer activities, and community presentations.
• Assist staff with the TILTreks & Talks program and guide field trips to preserves and project sites

Secondary Responsibilities

III. Program Administration

• Manage and maintain OBI’s Chaumont office and serve as a consistent regional presence for the two organizations.
• Maintain accurate program, volunteer, partner, and conservation records and assist with database management.
• Prepare periodic reports and assist with annual work plans and budgets for the Ontario Bays Program.

IV. Stewardship & Conservation

• Work with TILT's Stewardship Director and Conservation Lands Manager to support the stewardship of preserves and conservation easements throughout the Ontario Bays region.
• Assist with preserve management, restoration, trail, and other conservation projects, coordinating with volunteers, contractors, and partners as appropriate.
• Maintain positive relationships with conservation easement landowners and help identify emerging stewardship and conservation needs.
• Establish a good working relationship with new owners of conservation easement land, and help new owners understand easement terms and conditions.

Qualifications:

• Commitment to TILT's mission, principles, values, and longevity.
• Bachelor's degree in conservation, natural resources, environmental science, nonprofit management, community development, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least three years of relevant professional experience in conservation, nonprofit management, community engagement, fundraising, or a related field.
• Knowledge of land conservation and stewardship; familiarity with the Eastern Lake Ontario and Thousand Islands region strongly preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop productive relationships with landowners, donors, volunteers, municipalities, and community partners.
• Effective public speaking, writing, and communication skills.
• Organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects, work independently, and prioritize effectively.
• Experience managing/supervising employees and/or volunteers
• Must be able to think strategically when planning projects and timelines and must also make tactical decisions independently and efficiently
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with constituent databases/CRMs preferred.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel throughout the region.
• Must have reliable transportation and a valid and unrestricted New York State driver's license.

Working Conditions:

The Ontario Bays Program Manager will work indoors at the TILT (Clayton) and OBI (Chaumont) offices and outdoors when carrying out conservation, stewardship, outreach, and community engagement activities. Activities will occur on varied terrain and in variable weather conditions, and in some cases, adverse weather conditions in remote locations.

To Apply

Applications are due by September 25th, 2026, but will be reviewed as received. Applications will not be reviewed without a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications. Applications should include your resume and three references. Please send to TILT’s Executive Director, Jake Tibbles, at jtibbles@tilandtrust.org. In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please write your name (Last, First – Program Manager) as the only contents in the subject line of your e-mail. More information about the Thousand Islands Land Trust may be found at - www.TILandTrust.org. No phone calls, please.

Additional Information: 

Salary - ($54,500 - $61,500), benefits (health and retirement), sick time, paid holidays, and two weeks paid vacation (starting). 

Administrative Support - The individual in this position must be prepared to handle their own correspondence, filing, and record-keeping.

Location – Part-time at the TILT office in Clayton, NY and Part-time at the OBI office in Chaumont, NY.