What are the responsibilities and job description for the Farmland Preservation Manager position at Wake County?
What You'll Be Doing The Farmland Preservation Manager is a program management position responsible for leading and administering Wake County’s Farmland Preservation Program. The position provides strategic, operational, fiscal, and regulatory oversight of conservation easement acquisition, Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) and Enhanced VAD (EVAD) programs, and long-term agricultural land protection initiatives.
The Farmland Preservation Manager has direct fiscal oversight of the Farmland Preservation Fund within the County’s budget, including revenues generated through Present-Use Value (PUV) roll back taxes, and ensures funds are accurately tracked, allocated, and expended in compliance with County policy, grant requirements, and program objectives. The position works closely with the County Manager’s Office to prepare Board of Commissioners agenda items, funding actions, and policy materials.
The Farmland Preservation Manager serves as the County’s primary liaison to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Agricultural Development & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund (NCADFP) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service – Agricultural Conservation Easement Program(USDA-NRCS ACEP), leads competitive state and federal grant development and administration, and oversees contracts and agreements with external partners.
The position provides critical oversight of all conservation easement transactions, coordinating with external legal counsel, surveyors, appraisers, environmental assessment consultants, and baseline report providers to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely easement closings. The role ensures full compliance with applicable state and federal laws, grant agreements, and County policies, and coordinates monitoring and enforcement actions with the County Attorney’s Office.
The Farmland Preservation Manager also supervises program staff, analyzes program performance and funding trends, represents the program at local, state, and national levels, and supports departmental leadership through strategic initiatives and acting leadership duties as assigned. About Our Team
The staff of the Wake District are skilled and talented professionals with a passion for soil and water conservation. The staff is dedicated to excellent customer service. We are a purpose driven organization with goals to protect Wake County's natural resources through voluntary implementation of conservation practices, farmland preservation, delivery of environmental education and coordination of volunteer clean up events.
Required
The Basics (Required Education and Experience)
Location: Agricultural Services Raleigh, NC 27602
Employment Type: Regular
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm
Hiring Range: $76,986 - $92,386
Market Range: $76,986 -$107,785
Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 7/15/2026
What Makes Wake Great Equal Opportunity Statement Background Check Statement Emergency Service Worker Statement
What Makes Wake Great
Home to the State Capital, Wake County is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation and the most populous county in the state, with more than 1.1 million residents. The County has received national and international rankings and accolades from publications such as Money, Fortune, and Time magazines as being one of the best places to live, work and play. The central location of the County allows for a short drive to the spectacular mountains or coast. Wake County Government is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, who are elected at-large to serve two-year terms. Wake County Government has a general operating budget of $1.874 billion, employs over 4400 employees, experiences minimal turnover, and is an award-winning leader in wellness and technology initiatives; such as offering employees and covered spouses free access to the Employee Health Center. Wake County Government offers a wide range of training and development opportunities, a stable career in public service with a balance of work and family life, flexible work schedules and a competitive salary and benefits package.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.
Background Check Statement
Position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Emergency Service Worker Statement
In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.
The Farmland Preservation Manager has direct fiscal oversight of the Farmland Preservation Fund within the County’s budget, including revenues generated through Present-Use Value (PUV) roll back taxes, and ensures funds are accurately tracked, allocated, and expended in compliance with County policy, grant requirements, and program objectives. The position works closely with the County Manager’s Office to prepare Board of Commissioners agenda items, funding actions, and policy materials.
The Farmland Preservation Manager serves as the County’s primary liaison to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Agricultural Development & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund (NCADFP) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service – Agricultural Conservation Easement Program(USDA-NRCS ACEP), leads competitive state and federal grant development and administration, and oversees contracts and agreements with external partners.
The position provides critical oversight of all conservation easement transactions, coordinating with external legal counsel, surveyors, appraisers, environmental assessment consultants, and baseline report providers to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely easement closings. The role ensures full compliance with applicable state and federal laws, grant agreements, and County policies, and coordinates monitoring and enforcement actions with the County Attorney’s Office.
The Farmland Preservation Manager also supervises program staff, analyzes program performance and funding trends, represents the program at local, state, and national levels, and supports departmental leadership through strategic initiatives and acting leadership duties as assigned. About Our Team
The staff of the Wake District are skilled and talented professionals with a passion for soil and water conservation. The staff is dedicated to excellent customer service. We are a purpose driven organization with goals to protect Wake County's natural resources through voluntary implementation of conservation practices, farmland preservation, delivery of environmental education and coordination of volunteer clean up events.
Required
The Basics (Required Education and Experience)
- Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Studies, Sustainability or related field.
- 4 years of experience in farmland preservation, land conservation, conservation easements, real estate transactions, project management, land use planning, natural resource management, or related fields.
- Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
- Experience administering or securing funding through programs such as USDA Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP-ALE) and North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund.
- Experience using ArcGIS Pro to identify priority farmland, analyze development pressures, and create maps for conservation easement applications.
- Certified FAA Drone Pilot
- Certified Farm Succession Coordinator
- Demonstrated experience leading and managing comprehensive farmland preservation programs, including operations, policy alignment, and long‑term strategic planning.
- Proven background administering VAD, EVAD, and conservation easement programs, and working collaboratively with state and federal partners such as NCDA&CS and USDA.
- Track record of preparing, submitting, and managing competitive grants (e.g., NCADFP Trust Fund, USDA ACEP) and overseeing contracts to ensure compliance and timely deliverables.
- Expertise directing easement review, approval, monitoring, and compliance processes in coordination with internal departments, legal counsel, and external partners.
- Experience supervising staff, analyzing program performance, preparing reports and presentations, and representing program initiatives across local, state, and national forums.
Location: Agricultural Services Raleigh, NC 27602
Employment Type: Regular
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm
Hiring Range: $76,986 - $92,386
Market Range: $76,986 -$107,785
Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 7/15/2026
What Makes Wake Great Equal Opportunity Statement Background Check Statement Emergency Service Worker Statement
What Makes Wake Great
Home to the State Capital, Wake County is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation and the most populous county in the state, with more than 1.1 million residents. The County has received national and international rankings and accolades from publications such as Money, Fortune, and Time magazines as being one of the best places to live, work and play. The central location of the County allows for a short drive to the spectacular mountains or coast. Wake County Government is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, who are elected at-large to serve two-year terms. Wake County Government has a general operating budget of $1.874 billion, employs over 4400 employees, experiences minimal turnover, and is an award-winning leader in wellness and technology initiatives; such as offering employees and covered spouses free access to the Employee Health Center. Wake County Government offers a wide range of training and development opportunities, a stable career in public service with a balance of work and family life, flexible work schedules and a competitive salary and benefits package.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.
Background Check Statement
Position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Emergency Service Worker Statement
In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.
Salary : $76,986 - $92,386