Baxter State Park Chief Ranger

If you are looking for your next leadership opportunity with a diverse group of people in a wilderness setting like no other – this position will interest you. The Chief Ranger is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Park. The position oversees five direct reports whose areas of responsibility include law enforcement, maintenance, and transportation, trails, and inventory management. The Chief Ranger must possess extensive experience and skills in team leadership communication and operations management, must possess a solid understanding of natural resource protection and recreation management, possess strong skills in field supervision, and work effectively as a member of the leadership team.  

The Chief Ranger must have an effective ability to recognize systemic problems and develop structured solutions that are necessary to organize, professionalize, and direct Park operations effectively. The Chief Ranger ensures that teams and departments are aligned and functioning productively – this is key to the operation of the Park.  The Chief Ranger contributes to interdepartmental Park problem-solving and communication through active participation in the Leadership Team This team also develops policy and management plans and recommends personnel and infrastructure decisions. The Chief Ranger takes a lead role in developing and maintaining training schedules, aids in the selection of seasonal and full-time employees, ensures appropriate and balanced law enforcement protocols, oversees the search and rescue program and wildland firefighting planning, training, and execution, assists in decisions concerning capital equipment purchases and capital renovation projects, and promotes a culture of safety throughout the Park. This position can be either a non-law Enforcement or a Certified Law Enforcement position. 

Introduction:

Baxter State Park is a 210,000-acre wilderness region located northwest of Millinocket, Maine, and is home to Maine’s most iconic symbol and tallest mountain, Katahdin. The Park is also home to 48 heritage brook trout water bodies, 10 wilderness campgrounds, 46 peaks and ridges, multiple backcountry campsites, 215 miles of trails, and a 30,000-acre Scientific Forest Management Area, dedicated to exemplary forestry. Baxter State Park also has over 160,000 acres of protected wildland. The park is also open to hunting and trapping on over 40,000 acres of the Park. 

Governor Percival Baxter made it his life’s obsession to purchase these lands and donate them to the people of the State of Maine.  With this gift, he left a governance structure different from all other Maine state parks, several directives describing how to manage the Park, and a large endowment not connected to the state’s general fund.  His directives include a focus on preserving the wildness of the Park above all else and providing opportunities “for those who love nature and who are willing to walk and make an effort to get close to nature”.  The Park seeks a professional manager to join our administrative team and lead our dedicated field staff to preserve and protect this premier wilderness park.

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree and three years of experience in recreation management or a directly related natural resource field are required.  Directly related experience may be substituted for educational requirements on a year-for-year basis. Supervisory experience with seasonal and full-time personnel in a challenging remote environment and experience in wilderness management are strong assets for this position. The successful candidate will use her/his project and personnel management skills to uphold Governor Baxter’s Deeds of Trust and preserve and protect some of the wildest and most rugged landscapes in the northeast.

Benefits:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—”Dirigo” or “I lead”—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce’s health and well-being with a valuable total compensation package, including: 

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. 
• Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($10,523.28-12,380.4012,071.02-12,741.56 annual value), depending on salary. Use this link to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.  https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/benefits/som-health-plan/premium-rates 
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annually).
• Retirement Plan (25 years of service/65 years of age)– The State of Maine contributes at least 18.21% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement– Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 monthly to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts– Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness– The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive four weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additionally, unpaid leave may also be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation– Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.