Senior Planner (Landowner Outreach Forester) - 5692 - Augusta

maine; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 57,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

Sick leave

Vacation leave

Health insurance

Job summary

Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry in Augusta seeks a Senior Planner (Landowner Outreach Forester) to implement Maine's Be Woods Wise program, focusing on landowner assistance, outreach materials, and training events for wildlife habitat and forest values.

The role coordinates with district foresters and partners, manages large grants, conducts program evaluations, and may require statewide travel, evenings, and weekends.

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.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement landowner assistance programs, including outreach materials, financial incentives, and training events.
• Respond to landowner inquiries and develop programs with MFS District Foresters and partners.
• Convene stakeholders (private foresters, landowners, nonprofits, loggers, university) and manage grant proposals, budgets, and reports.
• Perform on-site monitoring and evaluation; travel statewide with possible overnight and evenings/weekends.

Education

Bachelor's degree in assigned area

Job description

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

Interested applicants need to submit a Direct Hire Application , Cover Letter , and detailed Resume*
*For us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes the month and year for any relevant experience listed. Your resume should include the duties and responsibilities associated with each position. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.

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.

PREFERENCES

• 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.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

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