Community Outreach Manager

Kennebec River Restoration Trust

Opening posted: 04/15/2026 | Expires: 05/29/2026

Title: Community Outreach Manager
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Waterville, Maine

To apply, send your resume to and include “Community Outreach Manager” in the subject line.

Who We Are
The Kennebec River Restoration Trust is a nonprofit organization established to take ownership of four dams on the lower Kennebec River in Maine – Lockwood, Hydro-Kennebec, Shawmut, and Weston – and manage a multi-year river restoration and redevelopment process in close collaboration with local communities. The Board and staff of the Trust are committed to building enduring solutions that restore the ecological health of the Kennebec River and strengthen the region’s economic vitality. Visit nature.org/Kennebec to learn more.

Summary of the Role
The Kennebec River Restoration Trust’s Community Outreach Manager will serve as a primary public-facing representative of the organization in the region. This role requires exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, experience building and maintaining strong community ties, and the ability to navigate complex and sometimes challenging conversations related to dam decommissioning and infrastructure change with respect and care. The ideal candidate is comfortable working independently in rural Maine and thrives in a mission-driven, stakeholder-sensitive environment. This individual will build trust, strengthen partnerships, and ensure community voices are meaningfully incorporated into project planning and execution. The position is based in the central Maine region and will spend most of the time in riverside communities between Waterville and Skowhegan.

Key Responsibilities

Plan and lead community outreach efforts related to dam decommissioning, river restoration and redevelopment opportunities
Build and maintain trusting relationships with residents, business owners, municipal officials, local organizations and networks, and other stakeholders, as well as with Tribal representatives and partners
Develop strategies to ensure community voices and priorities are heard and incorporated into the planning process
Represent the organization at public meetings, hearings, forums, and community events
Facilitate respectful dialogue in environments where project impacts may be controversial
Maintain awareness of local concerns and emerging community dynamics, and share insights to inform organizational and development strategies
Help manage and coordinate a constructive, inclusive advisory council process

Public Communications & Messaging

Translate complex environmental, regulatory, and infrastructure concepts into clear, accessible messaging
Support development and distribution of outreach materials, presentations, and public updates
Coordinate with communications staff and external partners to ensure consistent messaging
Support administration of organization’s digital properties and channels

Organizational Collaboration

Work cross-functionally with all teams within the organization
Coordinate closely with a team of collaborating partners at other non-profit organizations
Provide periodic updates and community sentiment reporting to leadership
Operate independently while aligning closely with organizational strategy

Qualifications

5–7 years of experience in community outreach, organizing, public engagement, or related field
Strong public-facing presence and established ties within Maine communities preferred, especially within the Kennebec watershed
Demonstrated ability to build trust in rural or stakeholder-sensitive environments
Understanding of relevant topics, such as river restoration, resource management, and rural economic development
Experience navigating complex or controversial public issues preferred
Strong communication skills (public speaking, writing, facilitation)
Ability to engage constructively with business leaders, regulators, municipal officials, Tribal representatives, elected officials, and community members
Ability to practice active listening to understand diverse perspectives and communicate with honesty and transparency
Experience collaborating with fundraising or development teams
Demonstrates resilience in navigating ambiguity and setbacks, and approaches challenges with humility
Ability to operate independently, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines
Willingness to travel within the region and attend occasional evening and weekend events

Physical Requirements of the Job
The job requires working at a computer station for substantial lengths of time, performing office duties, and the ability to lift objects up to 30 pounds. The Trust will provide reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities where appropriate. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Workplace Environment
The Trust strives to provide a supportive work environment through fair and competitive compensation and benefits, up-to-date equipment and IT support, adequate supervision, and ongoing professional development. The work environment is friendly, fun, cooperative, and very fast-paced. Staff members need to be able to work independently and adapt to changing priorities. This work is supported by staff policy, training, and mentoring, and through fostering an organization that prioritizes fairness and respect.

Kennebec River Restoration Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.