Senior Planner (Landowner Outreach Forester) - 5692 - Augusta

State of Maine•Augusta, ME

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry’s Maine Forest Service is hiring a Senior Planner (Landowner Outreach Forester) in Augusta. This interdisciplinary role implements Maine’s Be Woods Wise Program, a forest education, training, and outreach program intended to sustain wildlife habitat, recreation, water quality, and timber values on Maine family woodlands. The position plans and implements landowner assistance programs, including outreach and educational materials, financial incentives, and training events such as Woods Wise Resilience. It responds directly to landowner inquiries, develops programs with Maine Forest Service District Foresters, and convenes partners including private foresters, landowners, nonprofits, loggers, and university representatives. The role also handles program-related resource assessments, contract preparation and administration, on-site monitoring, and evaluation. It manages all aspects of large federal grants, including proposal, budget, and report preparation. Frequent statewide and overnight travel, as well as evening and weekend work, may be required. The position is full-time, year-round, located in Augusta, Maine. The salary range is $56,867.20–$79,747.20 per year.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resource management, or a closely related assigned area, and four years of related work experience; equivalent related experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
Ability to think creatively, demonstrate initiative, set and meet deadlines independently, and complete multiple projects over long time periods.
Ability to listen actively, communicate clearly, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of interests.
Ability to plan and coordinate meetings and other ways of engaging stakeholders.
Knowledge and experience of forest values, forest management principles, practices, and procedures.
Comfort and competence working in the woods.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of and experience in advanced adult education and outreach techniques.
Knowledge of federal grant programs and general grant administration procedures.
Licensure as a Licensed Forester from the Maine State Board of Licensure of Foresters, or eligibility to pursue licensure based on forestry education and experience.
Direct knowledge and experience of woodland stewardship, forestry, or land-use conservation practices are also considered for candidates who do not meet the preferred licensure qualifications.

Responsibilities

Implement Maine’s Be Woods Wise forest education, training, and outreach program.
Plan and implement landowner assistance programs, including outreach and educational materials, financial incentives, and training events.
Respond directly to landowner inquiries.
Develop programs in collaboration with Maine Forest Service District Foresters.
Convene partners, including private foresters, landowners, nonprofits, loggers, and university representatives.
Conduct program-related resource assessments.
Prepare and administer contracts, conduct on-site monitoring, and evaluate programs.
Manage all aspects of large federal grants, including proposal, budget, and report preparation.

Benefits

13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and more than three weeks of vacation leave annually; vacation accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
The State pays 85%–100% of employee-only health insurance premiums, depending on salary; dependent coverage is also available.
A 5% employee-only health insurance premium credit is available for participation in the applicable program.
The State pays 100% of employee-only dental insurance premiums.
The State contributes 14.06% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System on the employee’s behalf.
Gym membership reimbursement of up to $40 per month.
Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness through the State’s qualified-employer status.
Employee assistance through the Living Resources Program.
Forty-two consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave for employees welcoming a child; additional unpaid leave may also be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Voluntary deferred compensation through a MaineSaves 457(b) account.