PROGRAM PROJECT MANAGER

(SENIOR PLANNER)

-AGENCY ONLY-

Opening Date:

July 1, 2025

Closing Date:

July 15, 2025

Location:

Augusta*

Position #:

01720-6366

Position Type:

Full Time (Limited Period)

Class Code:

0603

Grade/Salary:

Grade 25 - $54,412.80 - $76,315.20 Per Year

Do you have a passion for Maine’s wild places, open spaces, and working lands (in short, our way of life)? Would you like to be able to visit iconic mountains, deep forests, and vibrant city green spaces and say, “I helped protect that?” Would you like to be part of the team working to lessen the effects of climate change while supporting some of the State’s most important economic and cultural foundations? If so, this job may be for you!

The Land for Maine’s Future Program (LMF) at the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is recruiting for a Program Project Manager for their working forest easements.

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: As the Program Project Manager for Working Forests, you will use your leadership skills to shepherd assigned conservation (“C&R”) projects through the LMF funding process, from initial inquiry to funding (and beyond). Although your portfolio will contain a variety of C&R and Water Access (“WA”) projects, your focus will be on Working Forests, with most of LMF’s working forest easement projects placed in your hands. You will analyze details of complex real estate transactions, conservation easements, and associated documents to ensure that applicants have met their commitments to the LMF Board (and the Public); you will draft conservation easements and project agreements to protect the conservation values for which these projects were funded; and you will be a trusted advisor to “your” applicants throughout the process. Your good judgment, problem-solving skills, and confident grasp of the dynamics of working forest easements make you a valued resource for applicants and colleagues alike. You will also use your experience and expertise with working forest easements, your proficiency with GIS, and your excellent communication skills to help shape LMF policy in this sector as we look to the future, recognizing the unique role working forests play in the State of Maine’s economy and conservation efforts.

*The position is located in Augusta and includes remote work opportunities in accordance with the DACF’s Telework Policy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A Bachelor’s Degree in assigned area and four (4) years of related work experience. Equivalent related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Assigned Areas: Environmental sciences, law, community planning and development, public administration or a related field.

The preferred candidate will have:

• Experience with working forest easements and knowledge of the industry and associated forest management practices coupled with project management experience. This is a highly desirable combination.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and in person.
• Knowledge and experience with LMF’s role in conserving natural and working lands and a dedication to mastering a deep understanding of its policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of state land acquisition priorities, including the work of Maine’s Climate Council and the policies captured in Maine Won’t Wait.
• Knowledge of land conveyancing and conservation easement principles and practices.
• The ability to analyze complex documents.
• A working knowledge of standard office programs (particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe).
• The ability to work independently coupled with a strong sense of collegiality, particularly when confronted with challenges.
• The leadership capacity to shepherd applicants through the LMF funding process to a successful conclusion.
• The judgment to know when to include colleagues or the LMF Director in decisions or communications.
• Proficiency with GIS and remote data sensing

HOW TO APPLY: Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "APPLY" button below along with uploading a Cover Letter and a current Resume. In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your Resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such. 

If you can't apply online and you require a paper application, please download and print one here: https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process. Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with a Cover Letter and Resume, before the closing date, to: Natural Resources Service Center, c/o Kristin McCamish, 32 Blossom Lane, Marquardt Building, Augusta, ME 04333-0155. Please be sure that the title, and position number, of the job you are applying for is included.

_______________________________________________________________

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. 
• Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96-$13,172.88 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.  
• Health Insurance Premium Credit– Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements. 
• Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($358.08 annual value). 
• Retirement Plan– The State of Maine contributes 13.29% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.  
• Gym Membership Reimbursement– Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense. 
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts– Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses. 
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness– The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office. 
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.  
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation– Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions. 
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. 

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you.  Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?
Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting.  If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.