Director of Land Conservation

Kennebec Land Trust

Opening posted: 03/09/2026 | Expires: 04/17/2026

Kennebec Land Trust
Winthrop, Maine

About Kennebec Land Trust

Kennebec Land Trust is a nationally accredited land trust. We conserve more than 8,200 acres of land in central Maine and maintain a growing network of over 61 miles of trails. Our work is focused on permanently protecting and stewarding land, offering access to conserved properties, providing opportunities for people to learn about and enjoy the natural world, and working with local and statewide partners to support sustainable forestry and farming.

The Opportunity

We’d like to hear about your interest in becoming our Director of Land Conservation. This is an opportunity to help lead a highly respected and accomplished land trust in Maine, a state of remarkable beauty. Let us know if you are an innovator in land conservation who is inspired to join a trusted organization that has built its success on a deep commitment to local and state wide partnerships.

About the Role

The Director of Land Conservation leads and helps shape KLT’s efforts to conserve and protect wildlife habitat, working forest and farmland, and open space through voluntary, private land conservation in a twenty-one town, 413,000-acre service area in central Maine.

The ideal candidate is an experienced conservation professional with strong leadership and negotiation skills, a collaborative spirit, a breadth of knowledge around land conservation tools, federal, state, and local funding opportunities, and Maine’s diverse landscapes.

Working closely with landowners, board members, KLT staff, conservation partners, and community stakeholders, the Director guides projects from early conversations through closing. Reporting to the Executive Director, the role requires sound judgment, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to manage complex transactions from start to finish.

Key Responsibilities

Build strong, long-term relationships with landowners, municipalities, agencies, partner organizations and KLT board members and staff
Identify and evaluate high-priority conservation opportunities aligned with KLT’s strategic goals

Coordinate project timelines and goals with stewardship, development, and community engagement staff
Lead conservation easement and fee acquisition projects from initial inquiry through closing
Negotiate transaction terms with landowners and their advisors; prepare easement baseline documents
Coordinate consultants including legal counsel, surveyors, and appraisers
Ensure compliance with Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices
Support fundraising efforts related to land conservation projects, including grant writing
Prepare resource documents and recommendations for Land Protection Committee, Board, and stewardship staff

Qualifications

Required

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience
5+ years of experience managing conservation easements, land acquisition projects, or related real estate transactions
Strong negotiation, relationship building, and collaboration skills
Knowledge of real estate transactions and conservation tools
Experience managing complex, multi-step projects
Grant writing experience
GIS proficiency

Preferred

Familiarity with Maine’s land conservation landscape
Legal or paralegal experience related to real estate transactions
Experience working with boards or committees

Working Conditions

Combination of office and field work
Ability to navigate off trail, on uneven terrain, and in varying conditions
Occasional evening or weekend meetings

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $63,000 – $73,000

Benefit highlights – 13 paid holidays; 2 weeks starting vacation; sick leave and other PTO; health benefit stipend – $9,000

To Apply

Please submit a resume, cover letter and three references to Theresa Kerchner, Executive Director, , describing your interest in the position and relevant experience. Deadline for applications is April 17, 2026.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice

Kennebec Land Trust (KLT) encourages diversity and equity in our public service and in our workplace. The Trust prohibits any discrimination in carrying on its mission on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, or marital status. This includes all programs, projects, events, and any other related activity sponsored by KLT. KLT’s commitment to diversity extends to all levels of our organization and is endorsed by our Board of Directors and Staff.

KLT Statement on Wabanaki Access and Stewardship of Land

Maine is the homeland of the Wabanaki People. Since the Laurentide ice sheet retreated over 11,000 years ago, the Wabanaki have hunted, fished, traveled through, and lived on the land that we now call Maine. Wabanaki means the people of the dawn, a term referring to the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, and Abenaki people. Despite the devastating impacts of colonization in recent centuries, the Wabanaki culture and communities remain vibrant and strong in Maine today.

The Kennebec Land Trust’s (KLT) service area in Maine is within the Abenaki homeland. “Kennebec,” from the Abenaki word kinepk or kinepkw, translates to “deep river.” KLT has a deep appreciation for the complex relationships between people and the land and the natural world itself. We recognize the Wabanaki’s long relationship with the lands that we call Maine and the ongoing and important role they have in shaping the future. We are committed to continuing to learn about tribal priorities and considering future land trust and tribal conservation projects.