Mount Desert Island Project Manager

• Are you interested in a career with an organization whose focus is protecting and caring for vital lands on the coast and contributing to community well-being in Maine?
• Are you looking for an opportunity to build relationships with the community you work in?
• Do you dive into your work with a sense of enthusiasm, curiosity, and determination?

If you answered yes to these questions, maybe you’d love to work in our Mount Desert Island, ME office as a Project Manager at Maine Coast Heritage Trust! We would love to hear from you.

Our Mission:

We advance the conservation of lands and waters in Maine to ensure ecological wellbeing and foster thriving communities. 

We understand that as in nature, diversity builds resilience. We uphold a working culture where unique identities and experiences are welcomed and appreciated. Our team is empathetic, committed and collaborative. We seek employees that are not only capable and talented, but who care about supporting and respecting each other. We seek people who are interested in imagining creative solutions and continuous learning.

Position Overview:

The Project Manager manages a portfolio of land protection projects in a specific region which currently includes Mount Desert Island and surrounding islands, where MCHT was founded in 1970 and serves as the local land trust. This individual is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with private landowners, partner organizations, communities and agencies to accomplish lasting conservation of priority properties. The position involves community outreach and engagement, real estate negotiation and financing, grant writing, fundraising, and communications for individual projects. The Project Manager oversees and manages a diverse project load within this region and staffs a local advisory committee.

Essential Job Functions:

• Plan for, prioritize, initiate, and complete conservation projects in the designated region. This includes identifying important conservation opportunities; initiating contact and negotiating with landowners; responding to incoming opportunities; developing and implementing effective conservation strategies; providing education and consultation to the landowners, family members and their advisors; supporting project fundraising activities and successfully negotiating and closing multiple real estate acquisitions and transactions ranging from simple to complex in nature within the confines of authority from the Board of Directors and with guidance from our General Counsel.
• Work directly with MCHT’s Stewardship Department to develop stewardship budgets for active land protection projects and assist with management planning for protected properties. Be MCHT’s expert regarding current work in land protection. Serve as a knowledgeable and respected land protection leader, advisor and spokesperson for MCHT and for partners including local, statewide, and national land trusts and organizations.
• Represent MCHT at local, regional, state, and national levels at conferences, industry gatherings and committees, events, and with the media to highlight MCHT’s mission and projects, in coordination with the Communications Department.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance the productive, strategic working relationships that are a hallmark of MCHT’s conservation programs, and form alliances with new partners.
• Serve as the primary staff director for MCHT’s Mount Desert Island Region Committee.
• Develop and present brief written updates on specific projects or land protection priority areas to relevant MCHT Board Committees.
• Oversee multiple contractors, ensure completeness and quality, and maintain professional relationships with surveyors, attorneys, and other contractors who perform various duties for MCHT in relation to land projects.
• Perform special projects and other related duties as required, directed, or as the situation dictates.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Provides general oversight and supervision to outside contractors.

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in a field such as natural resources, land use planning, law, real estate, or communications with 4 years of experience in land use and conservation work, land project management or related field. In lieu of education, 6 to 7 years of previous experience in land protection involving aspects of negotiating and closing multiple real-estate transactions or other relevant experience.

Qualifications:

• Strong commitment to land and water conservation, building healthier communities, conserving natural habitats, and connecting people to land.
• Passion for and knowledge of MCHT mission and values.
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Direct work experience in a natural resource field or community facilitation and engagement or planning field.
• Experience in voluntary land protection techniques, landowner negotiations and completing land conservation projects preferred.
• Experience overseeing contracts and engaging advisors or consultants.
• Field skills such as working with map and compass, GPS systems, reading terrain, identifying and understanding natural resource sensitivities and constraints preferred.
• Ability to effectively operate computers and assigned software, including Microsoft Office and Excel. A working knowledge of Arc GIS preferred.
• Working knowledge of Maine’s geography, culture, flora and fauna preferred.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively and effectively as a team member: The ability to work autonomously while keeping the Associate Director of Land Protection, other staff and volunteers apprised of issues, problems, opportunities, and progress.
• Strong organizational, planning, and multi-tasking skills with attention to detail and follow-up.
• Proven ability to manage a large and diverse project load, complete assignments, meet deadlines and work within established budgets.
• An ability to establish and maintain effective, close working relationships with a wide range of people and organizations. Demonstrated experience with Community organizing, planning or other engagement activities and the ability to work with diverse partners.
• Discretion and proven responsibility for the handling of confidential, sensitive, and personal information is a must.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

Work is performed in a normal office environment not subject to extremes of noise, temperature, odor, etc. Operates computer, printer, photocopier, and basic office equipment. Work requires extended sitting and repetitive motion in the use of computer, keyboard, and mouse. Long days, evening and weekend work is occasionally required. Must have access to a car because travel within the region is necessary. Must be willing to travel in boats (you do not need your own boat).

Field work is performed outside in all weather conditions and on rough or wet terrain. Requires walking, hiking, bending, crouching and occasional lifting. All efforts are made to keep the job safe but occasionally rough seas or difficult terrains can create unexpected hazards.

MCHT has offices in Topsham, Rockport, Mount Desert Island, and Whiting. The location of this position will be in the Mount Desert Island office. We have a hybrid work model with 2 office days and 3 home days.

This is a permanent, full-time position with a generous benefits package including insurance, vacation and sick time, 14 paid holidays and a retirement plan. The annual starting salary range for this role is $69,000 to $77,000 and will depend upon experience.

To Apply: Please send your resume and a cover letter outlining your experience and passion for our mission to search@mcht.org by October 3, 2025.  Please use “Project Manager” in the subject line. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

*External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans With Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law. We are an equal opportunity employer dedicated to creating an inclusive culture where employees from diverse backgrounds can thrive and support our mission.