Stewardship Director

~ The Damariscotta River Association is a growing, nationally accredited land trust and conservation organization with robust education and community engagement programs. We focus our efforts on conserving the lands and waters of Damariscotta River Estuary and surrounding areas. ~ 

Position Overview 

The Lands and Stewardship Director is the conductor of an "orchestra" of dedicated volunteers tasked with monitoring and maintaining a stunning portfolio of coastal lands, islands, and trails under Damariscotta River Association (DRA) management, ownership and conservation easement.

He/she provides staff leadership to the Stewardship Committee of DRA and helps to lead in the acquisition of new lands and conservation easements in partnership with the Executive Director and Lands Committee.

The Lands and Stewardship Director interacts regularly with landowners, supporters, partner agencies, and local governmental officials. Good humor, a collaborative spirit, and impeccable integrity are thus essential character traits.

Responsibilities 

Essential Functions: 

• Improve and keep up DRA lands records and baseline data. 
• Maintain existing DRA recreation infrastructure and related tools. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with DRA stewardship volunteers, landowners, and agency/nonprofit partners. 
• Ensure regular monitoring and defense of all DRA properties, both fee and easement. 
• Assist and lead new acquisitions of fee and easement properties. 

Stewardship: 

• Provide primary staff leadership to the Stewardship Committee. 
• Implement and improve established procedures for regular monitoring of all conservation easements and preserve properties held by the DRA. 
• Conduct landowner outreach within DRA project areas. 
• Create, review, and revise preserve management plans. 
• Ensure that boundaries of all DRA properties are marked and that markers are maintained. 
• Create Conservation Easement Baselines for DRA easements per Land Trust Alliance (LTA) standards as new easements are acquired.
• Document and follow up easement violations working with the Stewardship Committee and Director and Board to reach resolution. 
• Keep easement property owners and local realtors up-to-date regarding easement terms. 
• Establish positive relations with local, state and federal officials as they relate to the various management and stewardship agreements held by the DRA. 
• Work with the Stewardship Committee to ensure that appropriate trail, signage, and other resources on DRA preserve lands are adequately managed. 
• Oversee maintenance and management of the DRA boat fleet. 
• Create and update maps and brochures for DRA public preserves. 
• Maintain all lands records in accordance with best industry practices. 
• Identify and coordinate with Preserve Stewards for DRA lands.
• Identify and address invasive species threats. 

Lands: 

• Serve as primary staff liaison with the Lands Committee.
• Continuously review and keep current lands protection criteria in consultation with ED and Lands Committee and Board. 
• Update and maintain DRA's strategic land acquisition plan.
• Nurture and develop strong relations with land owners, partners, and donors. 
• Supervise the development of conversation easements, baselines and appropriate agreements on projects as assigned by Executive Director. 
• Work with the Executive Director to identify financial needs and to create financial opportunities through grant writing and donor contacts. 

DRA Support: 

• Assist with DRA events. 
• Lead walks and talks as part of DRA education series. 
• Contribute photos and press releases highlighting lands and stewardship accomplishments. 
• Lead the lands and stewardship elements of DRA's accreditation efforts and supply needed documentation as required. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Possible Future Directions: 

• Build stronger relationships with tourism providers. 
• Author regular trails reports and updates and disseminate through print and electronic channels. 
• Improve brochures and maps, as well as kiosk materials. 

Additional information regarding postion responsibilities: 

Decisions that the Lands and Stewardship Director makes independently with assistance from the Stewardship Committee: 

• Daily management decisions for properties within established budget (in consultation with Preserve Steward and Stewardship Chair), Stewardship Policies and Preserve Management Plans. 
• Purchase of tools, equipment and contractor services (e.g. plowing) needed to accomplish objectives as established by work plan and within agreed-upon budget. 
• Longer term property management decisions, including management plans and trail location, in keeping with established Stewardship Policies and Preserve Management Plans. 

Decisions that require approval of the Executive Director or the Board of Directors: 

• Decision to engage new landowners in negotiations regarding real properties. 
• Contracts committing DRA to payment of funds, such as but not limited to purchase and sale agreements, must be approved by ED and in turn by the board. 
• Response to easement violations or amendment requests. 
• Application for grant funds or requests of funds from donors or businesses. Grant seeking and direct solicitation are encouraged but must be discussed and approved in advance by ED to ensure strategic fit with organizational priorities. 
• Changes to approved Stewardship Policies, Recordkeeping Policies or other core policies must be approved by the ED and in turn by the Board. 

Qualifications 

Experience: 

• The position requires at least 3-5 years experience in a natural resource-related field. 
• Demonstrated success in volunteer management essential. 
• Experience in natural resource management, land and easement acquisition, boating, carpentry, and trails are all desirable. 
• A bachelor's degree or equivalent is required and a master's degree may be given preference, although additional experience may substitute for the advanced degree. 

Knowledge: 

• An understanding of recreation management and volunteers required. 
• Knowledge of natural history, invasive species, and wildlife valuable. 
• Facility with Word, Excel, email, basic GIS and basic social media required. 
• Skill in photography desirable. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential. 

To Apply 

• Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to email your resume and a cover letter to Steven Hufnagel, Executive Director.
• Be sure to indicate "Stewardship Director" in the subject line by December 1, 2015.