Land Steward/Conservation Forester

The Land Steward/Conservation Forester performs land management and easement stewardship on the land trust’s 9,300 acres of conservation lands, and other program functions as directed. This position is expected to spend approximately 60% of their time on general stewardship and 40% on forest management. The position reports to the Executive Director, working closely with the Conservation Director. The role requires the employee to work under minimal supervision, with an ability to meet tight deadlines and be reasonably flexible with work time, to include occasional evenings and weekends, particularly in the summer field season. 

This is a full-time position (32-40 hours per week) with benefits, renewable upon mutual agreement and satisfactory performance, and contingent upon adequate funding.

JOB DESCRIPTION & QUALIFICATIONS

Key Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree or related experience in the natural sciences, forestry, conservation or a related field
• A working understanding of Maine’s forests and other biological and natural resources
• Possesses a Maine Forestry License or able to obtain one witin 1 year of hiring
• Possesses or is willing to obtain NRCS TSP qualifications within 1 year of hiring
• Experience in forestry, ecology, and land management
• Experience building trails and working with hand tools and machinery
• Chainsaw certification, preferred
• Working knowledge of mapping, including Google Earth, ESRI ArcGIS Pro, or similar software
• Experience with management plans, baseline documents, or similar documents related to property management
• Comfortable working in outdoor settings year round, able to walk up to 5 miles through rough terrain and off-trail and ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Motivated, outgoing with excellent verbal communication and writing skills
• A valid driver’s license will also be required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Manage GLLT’s woodlands for long-term conservation value, forest health, and climate resilience
• Prepare general management plans and forest management plans for existing owned lands, and baseline documentation for new land projects
• Carry out maintenance and improvement (such as trail maintenance and boundary marking) on the conservation areas owned by GLLT
• Assist GLLT’s Conservation Director in overseeing GLLT’s annual conservation easement and fee lands monitoring program to ensure that it meets Land Trust Alliance standards and practices
• Assist ED and Conservation Director in fulfilling due diligence requirements for new land projects
• Manage and work with stewardship volunteers, including GLLT’s Lands & Stewardship Committee and weekly trail group
• Assist in maintaining records, maps, and project files for all conserved lands in Landscape
• Provide daily, on-the-ground supervision of GLLT’s summer interns, important to the organization’s stewardship and outreach programs
• Provide staff support for special events such as the GLLT’s annual meeting

We are seeking a team member who can show initiative, flexibility, ability to work with diverse people, with a positive attitude and a sense of humor. The ideal candidate will provide leadership in stewardship matters, with the ability to translate broad goals into achievable steps and set/manage appropriate expectations; handle detailed, complex concepts and problems and make rapid decisions regarding management and stewardship issues; be able to prioritize to plan and meet deadlines with an orientation to detail and well-organized work. Interested applicants will also have the ability to work effectively with a small team,  rigorous standards of discretion and confidentiality, a willingness to “pitch in” when needed, assisting in organizational development and administration.

Compensation The starting pay rate for the Land Steward/Conservation Forester is $23.00/hour.  Other benefits include: 20 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) in the first year, 8 paid holidays, group health insurance (80% employer paid), retirement match (3%) after one year, and mileage reimbursement.