How to apply for New York Program Director

About Land Trust Alliance

The Land Trust Alliance is the national voice of the land trust community, providing policy advocacy, standards, education, and resources to help land trusts save more land and better serve their communities. Working here means joining a passionate, mission-driven team that is elevating land conservation as a national priority and building a more relevant, inclusive conservation movement.

About the role

As the New York Program Director, you will be the Alliance's lead representative in New York, driving policy advocacy, member engagement, and capacity-building for land trusts across the state. You will work closely with land trusts, state agencies, and diverse partners to advance conservation funding and policies, ensuring New York's land trust community has the tools and support it needs to protect critical natural places.

A typical day

A typical day might involve meeting with land trust leaders in the Hudson Valley, then traveling to Albany to lobby for conservation funding with state legislators. You could also spend time developing a workshop on best practices for land management or coordinating with national colleagues on a policy campaign. Expect a mix of travel, virtual meetings, and hands-on support for New York's land trust community.

Who Land Trust Alliance is looking for

• Resides in New York, preferably in a central location with easy access to Albany, and is willing to travel regularly across the state.
• Has at least 5–7 years of experience in conservation policy, land trust operations, or nonprofit program management, with a strong understanding of New York state politics and legislative processes.
• Demonstrates a proven ability to build coalitions and work with diverse stakeholders, including land trusts, government agencies, and for-profit partners.
• Possesses excellent communication and advocacy skills, with experience in public speaking, lobbying, or grassroots organizing.

Tips for this application

• Highlight your New York residency and any experience working with Albany or state-level policy in your cover letter and resume.
• Showcase specific examples of successful policy advocacy or coalition-building in New York, such as campaigns for conservation funding or land protection.
• Familiarize yourself with the Land Trust Alliance's national initiatives and how they intersect with New York, and mention them in your application.
• Demonstrate your understanding of the diverse land trust community in New York, from small volunteer-led groups to large regional trusts.
• If you have experience with land conservation easements, tax incentives, or state funding programs like EPF, be sure to quantify your impact.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your deep connection to New York and commitment to its natural places, with specific examples of your work in the state.', "Your track record of influencing policy at the state level, particularly in Albany, and your ability to navigate New York's political landscape.", 'Your experience bringing together diverse partners—including those not traditionally in conservation—to achieve shared goals.', "Your understanding of the Land Trust Alliance's mission and how you would advance it in New York, including supporting land trusts with standards and education."]

Research before applying

• Review the Land Trust Alliance's recent policy wins and strategic plan, especially any New York-specific initiatives.
• Research the current landscape of land trusts in New York, including key players, funding sources, and pending legislation.
• Understand the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and other state conservation funding mechanisms.
• Look into the Alliance's accreditation program and how it supports land trusts in meeting national standards.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach building relationships with New York land trusts and understanding their unique challenges?
• Can you describe a time you successfully advocated for a conservation policy in New York? What was your strategy?
• What do you see as the biggest opportunities and threats for land conservation in New York over the next 5 years?
• How would you engage non-traditional partners, such as for-profit entities, in land conservation efforts?
• How would you balance the Alliance's national priorities with the specific needs of New York's land trust community?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without demonstrating a clear connection to New York or willingness to travel extensively across the state.
• Focusing only on national conservation issues without tailoring your application to New York's specific political and environmental context.
• Underestimating the importance of coalition-building and appearing to prefer working in isolation rather than collaboratively.