Senior Planner (Landowner Outreach Forester) - 5692 - Augusta

State of Maine•Augusta, ME

5d•$56,867 - $79,747•Onsite

About The Position

The Maine Forest Service is hiring a Senior Planner (Landowner Outreach Forester) in Augusta to implement 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 family woodland ownerships across Maine. 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 in coordination with MFS District Foresters, and convenes partners including private foresters, landowners, nonprofits, loggers, and universities. The position handles program-related resource assessments, contract preparation and administration, on-site monitoring, and evaluation. It also manages all aspects of large federal grants, including proposal, budget, and report preparation. Frequent statewide and overnight travel, along with evening and weekend work, may be required.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in an assigned area and four years of related work experience; equivalent related experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
Assigned area of study: forestry, natural resource management, or a closely related field.

Nice To Haves

Ability to think creatively, demonstrate initiative, set and meet deadlines independently, and complete multiple projects over extended periods.
Ability to listen actively, communicate clearly, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of interests.
Knowledge of and experience in advanced adult education and outreach techniques.
Ability to plan and coordinate meetings and other ways of engaging stakeholders.
Knowledge of federal grant programs and general grant administration procedures.
Knowledge and experience of forest values, forest management principles, practices, and procedures, and comfort working in the woods.
Preferred 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. Applicants without these qualifications may also be considered if they have direct knowledge and experience of woodland stewardship, forestry, or land-use conservation practices.

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 and develop programs in coordination with MFS District Foresters.
Convene partners, including private foresters, landowners, nonprofits, loggers, and universities.
Conduct program-related resource assessments, prepare and administer contracts, and perform on-site monitoring and evaluation.
Manage all aspects of large federal grants, including proposal, budget, and report preparation.

Benefits

13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and at least three weeks of annual vacation leave; 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.
A health insurance premium credit that reduces employee-only premiums by 5% for participants who meet program requirements.
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 behalf of the employee.
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 of Maine as a qualified employer.
Living Resources employee assistance program.
Forty-two consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave for employees welcoming a child; additional unpaid leave may be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Voluntary deferred compensation through a MaineSaves 457(b) account.