Since 1987, Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT) has conserved nearly 10,000 acres of land in Maine’s Sebago Lake Region, including some of Southern Maine’s most important community spaces like Pleasant Mountain, Hacker’s Hill, and Bridgton’s downtown Pondicherry Park. These beloved places represent our community's capacity to accomplish great things through the power of people. We’re inspired by the way Mainers have always helped Mainers, and we aim to be an organization that helps others do the things that they can’t do alone. We’re eager to welcome new people into this work who understand that finding and solving problems requires flexibility, empathy, and collaboration. Through our work, we intend to protect the communities we serve, lead the conservation movement forward, and build collective power to create systems that support our mutual flourishing.
The Director of Stewardship is a new position and will lead all aspects of LELT’s land and trail stewardship program. This role oversees property and trail management, ecological restoration and forest management, recreation planning, volunteer engagement, and stewardship staff supervision. We are seeking a values-driven individual who is excited to grow LELT’s stewardship capacity through innovative strategies. Successful candidates will thrive as part of a supportive, forward-thinking team working at the intersection of ecological and community care
Responsible to: Executive Director
Supervisory Responsibility: Stewardship Manager (full-time), Stewardship Coordinator (part-time, 10 hours/week), seasonal staff, and volunteers.
Collaborates closely with: Leadership Team (Executive Director, Director of Partnerships), Stewardship Manager and Coordinator
Desired:
- Education and experience in land management, forestry, environmental science, ecology, outdoor recreation, community organizing, or related fields; or equivalent experience.
- Demonstrated leadership and staff supervision experience.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully plan and manage multiple projects and priorities at the same time.
- Proven success in leading and managing volunteers.
- Ability to work in a team and independently.
- Proficiency with GIS and ability to manage spatial data (or strong desire to learn).
- Excellent communication, project management, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse perspectives and partners, staff, landowners, and volunteers.
- Desire and ability to perform physically demanding fieldwork in varied terrain and weather conditions.
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
Preferred:
- Experience with land management planning, habitat management, trail design, ecological restoration, and invasive-species management.
- Familiarity with NRCS/USDA conservation programs or other conservation cost-share programs.-
- Familiarity/experience with Improved Forest Management carbon offset project development/management
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, Google Workspace, GPS, and other digital stewardship tools (training available).
- Experience with chainsaw use, light carpentry, or trail-construction skills (training available).
- Grant writing, management, and reporting experience (training available).
This is a permanent, full-time position with a benefits package including access to small group health, vision, dental, and long term disability insurance, paid time off, retirement contributions, paternity/maternity/family leave, and potential for continuing education reimbursement, with a starting annual salary range of $60,000 - $70,000.
Loon Echo Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. We strongly encourage individuals from historically underrepresented communities to apply.
The statements above describe the general nature and level of work associated with this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Additional duties may be assigned as needed, provided they are reasonably related to the position.
Submit the following materials as a single PDF to Executive Director Matt Markot at matt@lelt.org with the subject line “Director of Stewardship Application”:
1. Cover letter
2. Résumé
3. Contact information for three references (three professional references or two professional references and one personal reference)
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.