Planning & Research Associate II Augusta

Opening Date:
November 10, 2026
Closing Date:
End of the day November 30, 2026

Location:

Augusta
Position Number:
Position Type:
Permanent Full Time/Year-Round
Class Code: 0040
Grade: 23 (Professional/Technical Unit)
Salary: $51,500.80 - $72,259.20 Per Year

Interested applicants need to submit a Direct Hire Application, along with a Cover Letter, and a detailed Resume
* * For us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes the month and year for any relevant experience listed.
Your resume should include the duties and responsibilities associated with each position.
Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.

BRIEF

JOB DESCRIPTION:

This is professional services work providing significant support for the state-side delivery of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Every park receiving LWCF assistance must be managed for public outdoor recreation in perpetuity. This program allows you to improve the quality of life for the people of Maine, forever. In this role you will help to manage the full lifecycle of LWCF projects by assessing project eligibility, coordinating the grant application and award process, facilitating reimbursement requests, and shepherding each project through to successful completion.

You will be part of a team that includes grant recipients, state agency cohorts and National Parks Service staff. Through program data collection and management, and the use of grant management software, you will also help to manage the LWCF project database and related GIS layer. To thrive in this role, you will need strong customer service and project management skills.

• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously and ensure work is completed effectively and within established deadlines and available resources.
• Knowledge of outdoor recreation/park infrastructure, development and maintenance costs, budgeting and execution.
• Ability to assess prospective applicant project needs and provide advice and guidance on scope and other funding options.
• Knowledge of and skills using Microsoft 365 suite of programs, Adobe, Google Earth, ESRI - ArcGIS, Grants.gov, Grantsolutions.gov, Microsoft SharePoint and related data and word management tools.
• Confident written and verbal communicator.
• Ability to independently travel to all corners of the state at times requiring overnight stays.

• An eight (8) year combination of education, training, and/or experience providing a knowledge of planning and research principles, practices, and techniques.
• Preference will be given to:
  Candidates with a bachelor’s degree (or greater) in parks and recreation management, natural resources management, landscape architecture, public policy, or other directly related fields and four years’ experience in outdoor recreation management, and/or related field.
• Preference will also be given to those with the following:
  Experience developing policies for an organization or network.
• High degree of comfort with public speaking.
• Creative ability, including the ability to write, copy, create graphics, and develop basic marketing tools.
• Experience developing, implementing and/or managing construction project budgets and timelines.
• Direct experience in parks and recreation service delivery with municipal or state government.
• Experience in convening stakeholder groups, and helping such groups achieve positive outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently on complex projects under deadline.

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

No matter…