Director of Land Conservation

Full time

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To apply, please email a resume, cover letter, and three references to Theresa Kerchner, Executive Director, at tkerchner@tklt.org.
Application deadline: April 17, 2026

Position Summary

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

Collaboration & Organizational Support

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

Position Details

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, TKerchner@tklt.org, 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.