Senior Planner (Landowner Outreach Forester) - 5692 - Augusta

Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 57,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Holidays

Vacation Leave

Job summary

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, Maine Forest Service is seeking a Senior Planner (Landowner Outreach Forester) in Augusta, Maine. The role focuses on promoting forest stewardship, developing landowner programs, and coordinating with partners to support wildlife habitat, water quality, and timber values on family woodlands.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree with four years of related experience; licensure as a Licensed Forester is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in assigned area and four years of related work experience.
• Assigned areas: Forestry, Natural Resource Management or closely related field.
• Preferred licensure: Licensed Forester (Maine) or eligible for licensure.
• Visa sponsorship/STEM OPT not available.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement landowner assistance programs and outreach materials.
• Develop programs and coordinate with MFS District Foresters and partners.
• Manage grants, contracts, monitoring, and evaluations.
• Coordinate travel and outreach events statewide, including evenings and weekends.

Skills

Proactive planner

Curious communicator

Collaborator & administrator

Forest steward

Education

Bachelor's degree in assigned area

Job description

The Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, Maine Forest Service (MFS), has a current vacancy for a Senior Planner (Landowner Outreach Forester) in Augusta, Maine. MFS is looking for candidates with a passion for promoting good forest stewardship throughout Maine, as well as initiative, program management, and people skills.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION & FORESTRY

SENIOR PLANNER

(LANDOWNER OUTREACH FORESTER)

Opening Date: October 19, 2026

Closing Date: End of the day October 30, 2026

Location: Augusta

Position Number: 01715-5692

Position Type: Full Time/Year-Round

Class Code: 0603

Grade: 25 (Professional/Technical Unit)

Salary: $56,867.20 - $79,747.20 Per Year

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: The work is interdisciplinary, implementing Maine’s Be Woods Wise Program, a forest education, training, and outreach program, with the goal of sustaining wildlife habitat, recreation, water quality, and timber values on Maine’s family woodland ownerships. The position plans and implements landowner assistance programs, including outreach & educational materials, financial incentives, training events, including Woods Wise Resilience. The position responds directly to landowner inquiries, develops programs and works with MFS District Foresters, and regularly convenes multiple partners, including private foresters, landowners, nonprofits, loggers, and university. The position is responsible for program-related resource assessments, contract preparation and administration, on-site monitoring, and evaluation. The position manages all aspects of large federal grants, including proposal, budget, and report preparation. Frequent statewide and overnight travel and evening and weekend work may be required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A Bachelors’ 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: Forestry, Natural Resource Management or a closely related field.

Preference will be given to those applicants possessing the following skills and abilities:

• Proactive planner: Ability to think creatively and demonstrate initiative. Ability to independently set and meet deadlines and complete multiple projects over long time periods.
• Curious communicator: Ability to listen actively, communicate clearly, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of interests. Knowledge of and experience in advanced adult education and outreach techniques.
• Collaborator & administrator: Ability to plan and coordinate meetings and other means of engaging with stakeholders. Knowledge of federal grant programs and general grant administration procedures.
• Forest steward: Knowledge and experience of the full range of forest values, forest management principles, practices, and procedures. Competent and comfortable in the woods.

Preferred Licensing Requirements: The preferred applicant will possess licensure as a Licensed Forester from the Maine State Board of Licensure of Foresters or be eligible based on forestry education and experience to pursue licensure. Candidates without such qualifications, but who have direct knowledge and experience of woodland stewardship, forestry, or land use conservation practices, will also be considered.

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

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 annually. 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 ($12,213.60-$14,369.04 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 ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan– The State of Maine contributes 14.06% 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 aMaineSaves457(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.

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