Stewardship Assistant

position Summary

The Kennebec Land Trust (KLT) is hiring a seasonal, full-time Stewardship Assistant to support KLT’s annual land stewardship and trail maintenance program. This position plays an important role in maintaining conserved lands and supporting safe, sustainable, and equitable public access to them.

The Stewardship Assistant works closely with the Stewardship Director and Stewardship Manager and collaborates with community volunteers, seasonal interns, and other staff. While much of the work is team-based, the position also includes independent fieldwork with clear guidance and expectations.

This is a primarily field-based position with occasional office time. Some evening and weekend work is required for programming and volunteer events.

Key Responsibilities

Land Monitoring & Property Maintenance

• Conduct monitoring visits of conserved land (e.g., walking property boundaries) and incorporate field data into stewardship files using Landscape software.
• Invasive plant inventory and removal projects.
• Property boundary maintenance (identify monuments, follow bearings, and mark boundaries).
• Vegetation management (e.g., vista clearing, field maintenance) using tools—as qualified—such as chainsaws, brush saws, pole saws, walk-behind bush hogs, and tractors.

Trails & Infrastructure

• Assist with trail construction and maintenance projects, including rigorous tread and drainage work, sculpting drainages, moving gravel, building long-lasting trail structures with large stone, and working in proximity to heavy equipment (e.g., mini excavator, tractor).
• Construction and rehabilitation of trail structures (e.g., wooden bridges) using hand and power tools.
• Basic maintenance of other infrastructure such as signage, kiosks, parking areas, latrines, benches, off-grid cabins, etc.

Volunteer & Intern Program Support

• Organize and lead volunteer trail maintenance and invasive plant removal events.
• Support volunteers and interns on other stewardship tasks

Operations & General Support

• Assist with other miscellaneous land trust operations as needed
• Basic tool and equipment maintenance
• Assist with updates to stewardship database and KLT website

Preferred Skills & experience

• Motivation for hands-on outdoor work and land stewardship
• The ability to communicate in a professional manner with teammates, volunteers, and KLT board members
• Ability to perform physically demanding outdoor work in field settings, which includes navigating uneven or remote terrain, using hand tools, lifting and moving materials, and working in varying weather conditions
• Trail building & maintenance experience, including tread work, drainage work, and stonework.
• Experience with chainsaws or willingness to be trained and certified
• Experience using carpentry tools and small power equipment
• Experience with tractors or mini-excavators is a plus
• Ability to navigate independently in the woods and follow property boundaries
• Familiarity with GPS data collection
• Exposure to GIS tools (e.g., ArcGIS Pro) is a plus
• Proficiency with basic computer programs (Microsoft Office, Gmail, Dropbox)
• Interest in learning local flora and ecological features

Training & Support

KLT provides initial and ongoing training to support safe and reliable stewardship work. Training may include sustainable trail design, stonework, equipment operation, mapping tools, carpentry, tree felling, plant identification, and general land trust operations, depending on experience and interest.

Position Details

• Compensation: $20/hour
• Schedule: Full-time seasonal (approx. 40 hours/week, Monday–Friday)
• Duration: May 18 – November 13, 2026 (26 weeks)
• Location: Throughout KLT’s service area, which is most of Kennebec County, Maine; KLT office in Winthrop
• Transportation: Valid driver’s license and reliable personal transportation required
• Housing: Housing may be available in an off-grid cabin
• Supervision: Stewardship Director and Stewardship Manager
• Benefits: Paid Maine State Holidays; mileage reimbursed at IRS rate; prorated vacation