News & Events

Kennebec Estuary Collaboration Seeks New Executive Director

Job Description, APPLICATION EXTENDED to 6/16

Executive Director for Kennebec Estuary Collaboration

in Midcoast Maine

Background:

The Kennebec Estuary is one of the largest estuaries on the East Coast, comparable to the Chesapeake Bay and the Hudson River.  The Kennebec Estuary Collaboration (KEC) is a formal partnership between the Phippsburg and Lower Kennebec Regional land trusts for the purpose of strengthening both organizations and contributing more significantly to land conservation in the Kennebec Estuary region.  Recognizing the ecological importance of the estuary and the need to build local conservation leadership, the land trusts, The Nature Conservancy, and Maine Coast Heritage Trust initiated the collaboration in 2006. Funding to establish the KEC was provided by Merrymeeting Bay Trust, the Land Trust Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, LL Bean, and the Phippsburg and Lower Kennebec Regional land trusts. Additional partners supporting our efforts include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Gulf of Maine Coastal Program, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and Maine State Planning Office. 

Job Summary:

The Executive Director is responsible for advancing strategic land conservation throughout the region served by both of the participating land trusts and for increasing the professionalism of both land trusts. The Executive Director will work with each local trust’s board, the Collaboration Oversight Committee, and partner organizations and agencies.

This is a full-time, salaried position. Evening and weekend work occasionally may be required. Salary will be commensurate with experience, with benefits.

The Executive Director currently supervises staff and reports to the Chair of the KEC Oversight Committee, who will consult regularly with the board presidents of the PLT and LKRLT when evaluating job performance. The position requires some field work.  The position is based at the KEC office in Bath, Sagadahoc County, Maine. The Executive Director is required to provide his/her own transportation and will be reimbursed for work-related travel at the IRS rate.

Job Duties:

• Lead strategic land conservation activities, including but not limited to land acquisition, working with local towns, and working with federal, state, and local partners.
• Prepare grant proposals and manage grants for Collaboration initiatives, including landprojects, stewardship and organizational development.
• Manage public relations for the Collaboration.
• Hire and supervise staff.
• Coordinate stewardship activities.
• Develop Board Orientation activities.
• Attend PLT and LKRLT Board meetings.
• Provide oversight of the following areas for the individual land trusts: support for membership activities, support for accounting systems, coordination of volunteers, systematization and maintenance of records of legal documents and land trust policies and procedures.

Skills and Experience Sought:

This position requires a proven track record in project management, initiating and carrying out land protection projects, and in grant writing and grants management.  It requires a strong commitment to the protection of the unique ecological, scenic and diminishing natural resources of the Kennebec Estuary.  It requires an ability to motivate, train and manage staff and volunteers and to understand and balance the interests and expectations of the participating organizations.

Qualifications include: four-year degree or equivalent in natural resources or related field; experience managing staff; an ability to interact well with a wide variety of people, including landowners, government officials, the press, donors, the general public, and diverse boards of directors; attention to detail and excellent written and organizational skills; ability to work independently; and an ability to meet deadlines and achieve ambitious goals. The job also requires proficiency with computer applications and office systems.  This position requires a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Application

Please send cover letter and resume by June 16, 2008 to KEC Oversight Committee by email at areiter@kennebecestuary.org (preferred) or hard copy by mail to: Executive Director Search, c/o Kennebec Estuary Collaboration, 92 Front Street, Bath, Maine 04530.  For more information about the Kennebec Estuary Collaboration and/or to obtain a full job description, visit our website at www.kennebecestuary.org or call 207-442-7205.