ROLE:  Stewardship and Volunteer Manager (Full-time, Exempt)

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Downeast Salmon Federation (DSF) is a 501(c)3, community-based organization that conserves and restores wild sea-run fish and their habitats in Downeast Maine, promoting the abundant return of all sea-run fish species for the ecological, cultural, and economic benefit of the region and beyond. DSF is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization. We value lived experience, local knowledge, and a diversity of perspectives, and we strive to create a workplace where all staff feel respected and supported. 

DSF currently stewards 4,159 fee-owned acres (69 parcels across 36 Preserves) and 2,355 acres under conservation easement in Washington and Hancock Counties, primarily along major endangered Atlantic salmon rivers. Together, these lands protect more than 83 miles of river, stream, lake, and pond frontage. Preserves are open to the public for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation; several include campsites or rustic cabins.

While DSF Preserves provide the public with recreational access and open space, they are conserved primarily to protect critical sea-run fish habitat along rivers, streams, and lakes. In addition to land conservation, DSF operates wild Atlantic salmon hatcheries, stocks salmon, removes dams and builds modern fishways, restores and enhances habitats, conducts monitoring and research, and advocates for sea-run fish conservation. Watershed Preserve Management Plans will reflect this integrated mission and diverse program areas.  

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The Stewardship and Volunteer Manager will lead land management planning, implementation, and volunteer management for all DSF-owned Preserves. The position is responsible for oversight of volunteers and staff engaged in Preserve monitoring and stewardship duties.  This is a public facing role and the candidate must display a high level of professionalism, cooperation, and integrity, and maintain positive relationships with fellow staff, community members, contractors, and conservation partners.

Stewardship Management

• Develop and update comprehensive, multi-year land management plans for DSF Preserves in accordance with Land Trust Association standards and practices 
• Engage in high-level conservation planning and establish multi-year priorities for stewardship
• Identify opportunities to improve DSF’s land trust project management systems and practices
• Build and maintain positive relationships with landowners holding DSF conservation easements and lease agreements and with neighboring landowners; maintain current contact records
• Work with the Land Trust Manager to develop the annual land trust budget, work plan, and future stewardship projects
• Assist in preparing baseline documentation reports and conducting environmental hazard assessments
• Support the development of outreach materials about DSF lands and recreation opportunities
• Manage the timely completion of stewardship activities by DSF staff and volunteers including:
• Conduct annual monitoring of DSF fee lands and conservation easements and maintain accurate monitoring records
• Maintain a database of Preserve infrastructure, monitoring, and stewardship tasks
• Manage DSF Preserves and stewardship projects, including infrastructure improvements, ensuring projects are completed according to management plans and grant requirements
• Oversee stewardship reporting to funders, DSF staff, and the Board
• Maintain trails, camps, parking areas, kiosks, and outhouses; manage land trust equipment and camp maintenance and reservations

Volunteer Management

• Build a robust, sustainable volunteer recruitment and management program that increases volunteer capacity while ensuring quality experiences
• Leverage volunteers to multiply DSF’s capacity for Preserve monitoring, maintenance, and improvement
• Schedule and host regular volunteer stewardship events
• Standardize and train staff to replicate volunteer management best practices across the organization

ADDITIONAL DUTIES:

All DSF staff members are expected to:

• Contribute to building and stewarding a collegial, respectful, and collaborative organizational culture
• Participate in organization-wide initiatives and “all hands on deck” tasks and events as assigned
• Contribute to grant writing, fundraising, and donor stewardship efforts as appropriate for their role
• Maintain productive relationships with local community members and other stakeholders including those capable of influencing land and fish conservation

EDUCATION:

Required: 

Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, forestry, environmental science, ecology, outdoor recreation, community organizing, or related fields, two years’ experience, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Skilled in both oral and written communication and ability to make technical information accessible to non-technical audiences
• Proven success in leading and managing volunteers and building sustainable volunteer programs
• Demonstrated leadership and staff supervision experience
• Experience writing land management plans, managing data, and organizing records
• Demonstrated ability to successfully plan and manage multiple projects and priorities at the same time
• Proficiency with GIS (ArcGIS Pro) and ability to manage spatial data (or strong desire to learn). 
• Experience with land management planning, habitat management, trail design, ecological restoration, and invasive-species management
• Experience conducting field investigations and assembling data for conservation planning
• Strong project management skills including prioritization, attention to detail, risk management, and meeting deadlines across multiple projects

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with chainsaw use, light carpentry, or trail-construction skills (training available)
• Grant writing, management, and reporting experience
• Ability or interest in operating drones for remote monitoring
• Three or more years of experience managing or planning conserved lands
• Understanding of and experience with fisheries habitat restoration
• Familiarity with New England’s forests, forest management, and aquatic ecosystems, particularly diadromous fish

We recognize that skills and experience may be gained through a variety of professional, academic, and lived experiences and encourage candidates who meet most of the qualifications and are excited about the mission to apply.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This is a hybrid position based in or near Washington County, Maine with work conducted remotely, in the field and in DSF’s Columbia Falls and East Machias offices. Work is performed in a normal office environment not subject to extremes of noise or temperature and requires operation of a computer, printer, and other office equipment. Field work is performed in a variety of outdoor locations and requires an ability to manage uneven terrain and unexpected weather conditions, operate a canoe, and lift up to 50 lbs. A valid driver’s license is also required.