DLLT Seeks New Executive Director

January 15, 2025

The Downeast Lakes Land Trust (DLLT) has begun a search process for a new DLLT Executive Director.  Interested candidates should send their resume and cover letter to executivedirectorsearch@downeastlakes.org. The review of applications is to begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled. We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position.

The Downeast Lakes Land Trust is an equal-opportunity employer.

Overview of Downeast Lakes Land Trust:

The Downeast Lakes Land Trust (DLLT) was founded in 2001 in the village of Grand Lake Stream, Maine, with a mission to contribute to the long-term economic and environmental well-being of the Downeast Lakes region through the conservation and exemplary management of its forests and waters. 

After several successful capital campaigns, DLLT now manages 58,203 acres of community forests (90+ sq miles).  This includes 91 miles of protected lakeshore. DLLT’s property is surrounded by an additional 312,000 acres of land under working forest easements.

Our forests are managed for public access, public recreation, wildlife habitat, and forest products.  By conserving and stewarding the natural identity of the Grand Lake Stream area, DLLT ensures a legacy where residents’ traditional livelihood can prosper, visitors can experience outstanding recreational opportunities, and wildlife can thrive.  We are dedicated to the Downeast economy and environment.

Summary of Position:

DLLT’s Executive Director leads a dynamic community-based organization with support from a small internal team, an engaged Board of Directors, and community volunteers. The Executive Director provides leadership, experience, and enthusiasm to help DLLT excel as an exemplary land trust. They are responsible for focusing on the Trust’s vision and mission and overseeing all operations.  They lead a team that practices the highest standards of science and data-driven management of natural resources, promotion of wildlife habitat, forestry practices, and recreation infrastructure.  They are the public face of the organization in the community as well as to statewide and national conservation groups.

The Executive Director oversees the organization’s day-to-day operations, the management of the office, budget, staff, and properties, as well as community outreach, carbon credit program, fundraising activities, and land acquisition projects. The Executive Director is responsible for the financial health of the organization and all fundraising activities.  They communicate regularly with the Board and committees.  They report to the Board of Directors and are supervised by the Board President and the Governance Committee.  As the principal spokesperson for the Downeast Lakes Land Trust, the Executive Director must display the highest standards of professionalism, cooperation, integrity, enthusiasm, and maintain positive relationships with staff, funders, members of the community, and our many conservation partners.

This position is full-time and requires intermittent evening and weekend hours, as well as travel.  

Preferred Qualifications:

• B.A. in related field degree and a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in conservation work, natural resource management, forestry, non-profit management, or related fields.
• Demonstrates a strong, personal commitment to natural resource conservation, forest stewardship, wildlife habitat, education, outdoor recreation, and supporting the long-term economic growth of a natural resource-based rural economy. 
• Demonstrated successful record of fundraising and budget management.
• Leadership experience, ability to set a clear vision, ability to create and thrive in a team environment.
• Experience working with local and seasonal landowners, municipal and government agencies, community groups, and conservation partners to achieve shared objectives.
• An articulate and enthusiastic communicator, both verbally and written.
• Strong organizational and supervisory skills.
• Experience managing staff, projects, and contractors.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, develop and manage complex projects from start to finish, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Knowledge and experience with land conservation and conservation finance policies and tools.
• Finely tuned negotiation and collaboration skills.
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Quickbooks, internet browsers), a willingness to manage website development and content, and learn new software programs.

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To:

Management and Administration of Operations 

The Executive Director is responsible for all day-to-day operations of the organization, including but not limited to: 

• Management of office routines, maintenance of files and record-keeping, maintenance of office facilities and equipment, management of the organizational calendar and schedule of meetings.
• Maintenance of Board and Committee minutes.
• All public relations and external communications.
• Ensuring compliance of the Downeast Lakes Land Trust with internal controls, organizational policies, external reporting, and local, state, and federal requirements and regulations.  
• Maintains overall responsibility for all projects within DLLT program areas, including forestry, wildlife, recreation, education, outreach, carbon, and economic development.

Stewardship

The Executive Director is responsible for managing our Community Forest comprised of 58,203 acres. The Director must balance the needs of multiple objectives and users on the forest and see how they can interact cooperatively. They oversee any maintenance and improvement projects conducted, including ones related to harvests, timber improvements, promotion of wildlife, all road work, research, and recreation infrastructure.  They will supervise the Forester/Land Manager position and work with the Recreation and Forest Resource Committees to establish the practices necessary to manage, monitor, and maintain properties at an exceptional standard; and:

• Ensures that baseline data, forest and wildlife management plans, and other land conservation stewardship tasks are accomplished accurately, timely, and financially soundly. 
• Maintains good relationships with conservation easement holders. Oversees the compliance and monitoring are performed as required.  (carbon, FSC, easement holders, LMF)
• Be involved in innovative project identification, design, and implementation that further the mission of the trust.
• Seek out the most up-to-date science on best management practices and be able to implement them.
• Work with other grant holders/funders to make improvements on the property.

Financial Management 

The Executive Director is responsible for the organization’s finances, as well as the policies and procedures that govern financial management, and:

• Works collaboratively with the Board Treasurer to manage the Downeast Lakes Land Trust’s finances and investments.
• Prepares budgets in consultation with the Board Finance Committee, other Committee chairs, Board Treasurer, and Board President for approval by the Board of Directors.
• Manages the budget; monitors anticipated income and expenses to track and project general alignment with the approved budget; advises Board President and Board Treasurer of significant foreseen deviations from budget.
• Maintains accurate financial records and information, prepares updated monthly financial reports for the Board, and completes annual tax statements, tax audits, annual financial statements, annual financial audits, and other related financial tasks.
• Assures adherence to internal control procedures.

Fundraising

The Executive Director is responsible for generating financial support for the Downeast Lakes Land Trust, specifically for ongoing operating expenses, projects, endowment, and capital campaigns.  The Executive Director is a leader and active participant in fundraising and in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of donors and other funding sources; and:

• Works collaboratively with the Finance & Development Committee and Board to establish and achieve annual and long-range fundraising goals and strategies.
• Cultivates and stewards major donors and prospects, including individuals, corporations, and private foundations.
• Develops relationships with new donors and grant makers and strengthens and maintains relationships with existing supporters.
• Works closely with the Finance & Development Committee to plan, design, and seek support grants, fundraising campaigns, and events.
• Assumes primary responsibility for annual giving, annual fund appeals, grant writing, corporate giving, planned giving, and fundraising events, including the annual auction. 
• Oversees the maintenance of membership records and development databases.
• Plans and prepares the Annual Report and the Annual Meeting.

Acquisition

The Executive Director is responsible for staying informed of developments in the professional field of land conservation:

• the Executive Director brings possible projects to the Board that may be a priority to our network.
• Thoroughly vets possible projects for importance to the Trust and community; creates an Ad Hoc committee to investigate further if the Board agrees it may be a priority.
• Leads committee through acquisition and fundraising process.
• Drafts conservation easement and acquisition documents in conjunction with legal counsel. 

External Communication and Outreach

The Executive Director is the primary spokesperson for promoting public awareness of DLLT and for communicating its vision, mission, and:

• Oversees the development of public communications, including publication and distribution of brochures, maps, newsletters, emails (constant contact) and social media.
• Ensures that DLLT’s website and social media accounts are maintained and regularly updated and that DLLT is represented appropriately on related sites.
• Represents Downeast Lakes Land Trust to the public and media and makes presentations at public meetings and in other venues.
• Develops collaborative relationships with the community, supporters, donors, grant makers, agencies, partners, contractors, municipalities, and other appropriate conservation organizations.
• Oversees programs to introduce and facilitate public awareness and appreciation of Downeast Lakes Land Trust, its mission, and its conservation contribution to the community. 

Internal Communication

The Executive Director is responsible for maintaining a collaborative and effective relationship with the Board of Directors and:

• Provides information and reports at Board and Committee meetings, and as otherwise requested.
• Ensures that employees, Committee members, and Board members are well-informed, copied on appropriate correspondence, communications, meeting minutes, and included in appropriate decision-making.
• Provides input to the process for nomination and selection of new Board members and non-Board Committee members and provides orientation for new Board members.

Personnel Management

The Executive Director is responsible for the hiring and supervising of staff; and:

• Works with the Governance Committee, and the Board of Directors to hire, train, supervise, and perform regular reviews and systematic annual staff performance evaluations in accordance with approved job descriptions.
• Advises the Governance Committee and, as needed, the Board of Directors regarding the need for staff and on matters related to compensation, personnel policies, practices, and performance.
• Oversees the recruitment, training, and management of volunteers.

Planning

The Executive Director will assist the Board of Directors in setting the organization’s strategic direction through the development and implementation of a strategic plan, fundraising plan, outreach and communications plan, and both forest and wildlife management conservation plans, and:

• Works with staff and the Board of Directors to maintain the organization’s focus on its mission, to establish goals and strategies, and develop multiyear and annual work plans.
• Attends and participates in the Forest Resource, Finance & Development, Recreation, and Governance Committees and other appropriate meetings.
• Seeks new opportunities for the organization.
• Monitors, tracks, and reports on progress toward planned benchmarks.

SALARY & BENEFITS:

The salary range for this position is $100,000 to $120,000 per year, commensurate with experience. The Downeast Lakes Land Trust offers health insurance, a health savings account, a retirement benefit, annual leave, and health leave benefits directly to the Executive Director.