Community Forest Land Manager

This position has two main components:  One is managing visitor access, and the other is managing the habitat and wildlife aspects of Downeast Lakes Land Trust’s (DLLT) 58,000-acre conserved community forest. The Land Manager is under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, but works with the DLLT Board of Directors’ Committees, other staff, consultants, and external experts to manage the DLLT community forests for conservation, economic, and recreational purposes. The Land Manager should possess strong field skills, strong social and communication skills, a dedication to wildlife conservation, sustainable forestry, and a solid understanding of the principles and best practices of land management. This position combines practical hands-on work, office planning and public-facing duties.

Land Use Management

• Roads
  • Assess road conditions on an ongoing basis and update the 10-year road maintenance / improvement plan as required.
  • Supervise maintenance and improvement of roads and stream crossings. Prepare bid packages and contracting for road work.
  • Determine the need and establish timings for spring road closures and openings.
  • Collaborate with camp owners and external parties (Passamaquoddy Tribe, Bureau of Public Lands, GLS ATV Club, GLS Snowmobile Club, etc.) with shared road, access and land use agreements on any issues that arise.
• Recreation Facilities
  • Plan and supervise the maintenance of all DLLT’s recreational sites such as trails, campsites, geocaches and boat launches. Supervise trail stewards’ program, interns, work campers and volunteers.
  • Assist in the permitting, planning, upgrade, and installation of recreational sites.
  • Prepare bid packages and contracting for necessary services and materials relative to such projects. Supervise contractors.
  • Maintain and manage access to Medivac sites.
• Volunteer & Intern Management
  • Many recreation and road activities will require the participation of DLLT’s large body of volunteers, work campers, field technicians and summer interns.
  • The Land Manager should plan activities that help him or her to fulfil their duties and will be expected to provide support and oversight for interns, technicians, work campers and volunteers.
  • Co-ordinate with the Volunteer Committee.
• Budget
  • Assist Executive Director with the preparation of the annual budgets for roads and recreation facilities.
  • Assist in the preparation of grant applications.

Wildlife & Habitat Management

• Wildlife Management Plan (within Forestry Management Plan)
  • Participate in the periodic development of the wildlife management components of the Forestry Management Plan.
  • Monitor DLLT activities to ensure compliance with the wildlife management components of the Forestry Management Plan.
• Natural resources projects, surveys & audits
  • Plan, implement and manage existing and new natural resources projects, surveys, and audits.
  • Internal examples are wildflower seedings.
  • External examples are forest patch cuts for grouse, woodcock, and quail (fiscal partner is the Ruffed Grouse Society), the loon monitoring program, or deer collaring.
• Easements, Boundaries and Permissions
  • Submit annual reports as required.
  • Handle inquiries, monitor land for violations, and resolve disputes.
• Harvests
  • Provide input on harvest planning and help monitor timber harvesting in regard to compliance with DLLT timber harvesting practices and standards.
• Volunteer & Intern Management
  • See section above.
• Budget
  • Assist Executive Director with the preparation of the annual Wildlife & Habitat budget.
  • Assist in the preparation of grant applications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, or higher, in a natural resource related field with 3 to 5 years of direct work experience in a natural resource related job.
• Knowledge of computer programs including Microsoft Office and ArcGIS.
• Strong social and communication skills.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary negotiable: Range $45,000 to $55,000 depending on experience.
• DLLT offers a benefits package which includes health insurance, HSA, retirement, generous paid leave, flexible hours, and some remote work options.