Our Mission: 

We advance the conservation of lands and waters in Maine to ensure ecological wellbeing and foster thriving communities. 

We understand that as in nature, diversity builds resilience. We uphold a working culture where unique identities and experiences are welcomed and appreciated. Our team is empathetic, committed and collaborative.  We seek employees that are not only capable and talented, but who care about supporting and respecting each other. We seek people who are interested in imagining creative solutions and continuous learning.

Position Overview:

Under the general supervision of the Associate Director of Stewardship for the MDI Region the MDI Steward is responsible for property maintenance, community engagement, execution of assigned tasks and implementation of existing management plans to protect the ecological and aesthetic value of the land, uphold legal restrictions and requirements, foster sustainable public benefit opportunities, and outreach.

Essential Job Functions:

• Monitors preserves, writes reports, and rectifies issues regarding property condition, including trail maintenance, invasive plant control, needed land restoration projects, boundary line maintenance, garbage clean up, fire, etc.
• Monitors public use of preserves and with direction of Associate Director of Stewardship for the MDI Region develops and implements strategies to resolve related issues, including conflicts between different users, overuse of fragile areas, illegal activities and encroachment on the properties such as timber trespass, theft, structure damage, etc.
• Coordinates seasonal staff on project specific outcomes.
• Develops and maintains relationships with neighbors, town officials, other organizations, and a wide variety of community members. Attends meetings as needed and as assigned to accomplish goals.
• Collaboratively leads planning and implementing annual work plans within scope of assigned work. Examples include marking and maintaining boundaries, building and maintaining trails, community garden maintenance, conducting and overseeing forest management activities, conducting natural resource inventories and management, developing maps, posting signs, building and maintaining structures, and ensuring the safeguarding of sensitive resources.
• Actively participates in the development of management plans and plan updates for each property.
• Develops and maintains complete records for each preserve, including information on ownership, communications, monitoring, and work performed. This includes populating both the Stewardship database and digital property files in a prompt and ongoing way and collecting and utilizing GIS data.
• Participates in programs and/or events in collaboration with Regional Outreach Manager in order to build public understanding of and support for MCHT’s preserves. This may include walks, field trips, events on MCHT and partner properties, including celebrations, beach clean ups, bird walks, citizen science projects, talks, boat trips, and workshops. Some may involve school groups.
• Develops and coordinates volunteer opportunities in collaboration with Regional Outreach Manager.
• Develops, implements, and monitors data collection plots for scientific and carrying capacity studies at selected sites.
• Helps in the preparation of preserve related written materials.

General

• Works with the Associate Director of Stewardship for the MDI region to develop and maintain budgets for properties and special projects.
• Coordinates and works with other staff as necessary, on land and other projects, public outreach, programming, fundraising and community work.
• Serves as a member of MCHT’s Stewardship Team and takes on specific assignments as requested, including attending meetings, serving on committees, helping with events, assisting other organizations, or developing areas of expertise that will help the organization.
• Serves as a resource to landowners, local governments, local land trusts, and other staff by providing technical natural resources information and giving occasional presentations.
• Participates in the maintenance of stewardship related equipment, vehicles and boats, and stewardship equipment work and storage areas.
• May conduct special research projects, including primary literature research and summary for other staff.
• Utilizes GPS equipment for property mapping, including trails, unique natural features, and human created features.
• May perform other unique functions as assigned, such as pesticide application (which includes maintaining a commercial pesticide applicator’s license) or acting as boat captain (which includes safely transporting visitors, staff, contractors, volunteers, and materials, and facilitating and overseeing boat maintenance).
• Performs special projects and other related duties as required, directed, or as the situation dictates.
• Regular attendance at the workplace is required.
• Adherence to organizational policies and practices is required.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Provides supervision to volunteers, interns, and/or seasonal staff under the direction of the Associate Director of Stewardship for the MDI region.

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in a natural resource related field with 3+ years of direct work experience or 5 years of relevant, relatable experience preferably natural resource related (i.e. natural resource management, environmental/outdoor education, forestry, trail design, habitat restoration, etc.)

Qualifications:

• Excellent field skills, including working with GPS systems, handling and maintaining tools and equipment, reading terrain, and identifying/understanding natural resource sensitivities/constraints.
• Familiarity with the region and its communities, both on land and water.
• Working knowledge of Maine geography, culture, flora and fauna.
• Basic carpentry skills and familiarity with land management tools.
• Requires boat handling skills with small and medium sized boats, including navigation and basic boat mechanics.  If necessary, training will be provided.
• May require forestry or arborist training, pesticide application and invasives management experience.
• Strong organization, problem-solving, and multi-tasking skills with attention to detail and deadlines.
• Good physical fitness required to perform duties.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, preferably including public speaking skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to effectively operate computers and assigned software, including MCHT’s Stewardship and Lands Database, Microsoft Office, Excel and other applications.
• Flexibility.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

Field work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions and requires climbing, walking, bending, crouching, lifting heavy objects (over 50 lbs.), reaching, and other physical capabilities.  Operates GPS, compass, camera, boats/marine vessels, trucks, tractor, trailer, lawnmower, chainsaw, table saw, and related power tools, hand tools, and equipment, often in remote locations that can require long hikes carrying equipment.  Regular travel is required. Weekend and night work is common. Some work is performed in a normal office environment not subject to extremes of noise, temperature, odor, etc.  Operates computer, printer, and other office equipment.

MCHT has offices in Topsham, Rockport, Mount Desert Island, and Whiting. The location of this position will be in the Mount Desert Island office. This position needs to be on-site at the MDI office twice a week.

This is a permanent, full-time position with a generous benefits package including insurance, vacation and sick time, 14 paid holidays and a retirement plan. The annual starting salary range for this role is $56,000 to $63,000 and will depend upon experience.

To Apply: Please send your resume and a cover letter outlining your experience and passion for our mission to search@mcht.org by April 12, 2025.  Please use “Regional Steward MDI” in the subject line.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

*External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans With Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to creating an inclusive culture where employees from diverse backgrounds can thrive and support our mission. We recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sex stereotyping, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.