Land Conservation Specialist (Senior Planner) - BPL - 0117 (Augusta)

Location: Augusta,Maine,United States

LAND CONSERVATION SPECIALIST

(SENIOR PLANNER) - BUREAU OF PARKS AND LANDS (BPL)

Opening Date:

May 16, 2024

Closing Date:

May 31, 2024

Location:

Augusta

Position #:

01740-0117

Position Type:

Permanent Full Time

Class Code:

0603

Grade/Salary:

Grade 25 - $52,832.00 - $71,240.00/Annually

AGENCY DESCRIPTION: The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) in the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry has an opening for a Land Conservation Specialist (Senior Planner). BPL manages over 700,000 acres of fee-owned land, with conservation easements and leases bringing the total land area managed to over 2 million acres. These lands are managed for a variety of resource values including recreation, cultural and historic values, wildlife, ecology, and timber. This permanent full-time position is located in Augusta. *

* Hybrid work options are available for this position.

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: The Land Conservation Specialist is a member of the BPL Planning Team. The position performs critical functions regarding land acquisition transactions (e.g., oversight of appraisals, surveys, deed research, hazardous waste assessments, drafting and reviewing easements, drafting, and reviewing grant funding applications) and land stewardship activities (e.g., reviewing management plans for land trust properties, conducting site inspections, map preparation and review through GIS). 

Responsibilities include acquisition processes, due diligence, and compliance associated with varied funding sources including but not limited to the Land for Maine’s Future Program, the federal Forest Legacy Program, the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, and others The position will be responsible for drafting and reviewing grant proposals. Additionally, the position will be required to periodically create GIS-based maps for use in grant applications, press releases, and public information. Projects engaged by the position frequently involve significant interaction with conservation partners outside of the agency. Engagement includes both collaborative work toward BPL acquisitions and work in which BPL assists and facilitates conservation by land trusts, municipalities, and others (e.g., projects in which BPL is the designated state agency for Land for Maine’s Future projects).

For questions specific to the position, please email Rex Turner at rex.turner@maine.gov

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 for this position are: Natural Resources, Forestry, Wildlife Management, Public Policy, Environmental Sciences, Law, Community Planning & Development, and Public Administration.

The successful candidate will have:

• Knowledge of federal and state laws, rules, policies, and procedures regarding land acquisition and stewardship.
• Knowledge of GIS (e.g., ESRI) products and tools.
• Familiarity with landowner negotiations in land conservation transactions.
• Knowledge of deeds, easements, leases, management agreements, and other land ownership and management devices.
• Familiarity with grant applications for conservation funding.
• Ability to provide consultative, professional advice and expertise about land conservation and stewardship.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.

HOW TO APPLY: Interested applicants will need to complete and submit an online State of Maine Direct Hire Application, along with a Cover Letter, and detailed Resume at: https://www.maine.gov/nrsc/jobs/index.shtml#acf

Direct Hire Application forms can be obtained by accessing the NRSC website at: https://www.maine.gov/nrsc/jobs/application.shtml 

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO APPLY ONLINE: Please mail the application materials listed in the "How to Apply" section to: Natural Resources Service Center, c/o Kristin McCamish, 32 Blossom Lane, Marquardt Building, Augusta, ME 04333-0155.

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