Kennebec River Restoration Trust
Title: Community Outreach Manager
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Waterville, Maine
To apply, send your resume to
Manager” in the subject line.
Who We Are
The Kennebec River Restoration Trust is a nonprofit organization established to take ownership of
four dams on the lower Kennebec River in Maine – Lockwood, Hydro-Kennebec, Shawmut, and
Weston – and manage a multi-year river restoration and redevelopment process in close
collaboration with local communities. The Board and staff of the Trust are committed to building
enduring solutions that restore the ecological health of the Kennebec River and strengthen the
region's economic vitality. Visit nature.org/Kennebec to learn more.
Summary of the Role
The Kennebec River Restoration Trust’s Community Outreach Manager will serve as a primary
public-facing representative of the organization in the region. This role requires exceptional
interpersonal and communication skills, experience building and maintaining strong community
ties, and the ability to navigate complex and sometimes challenging conversations related to dam
decommissioning and infrastructure change with respect and care. The ideal candidate is
comfortable working independently in rural Maine and thrives in a mission-driven, stakeholder-sensitive environment. This individual will build trust, strengthen partnerships, and ensure
community voices are meaningfully incorporated into project planning and execution. The position
is based in the central Maine region and will spend most of the time in riverside communities
between Waterville and Skowhegan.
Key Responsibilities
Community Engagement & Relationship Building
● Plan and lead community outreach efforts related to dam decommissioning, river
restoration and redevelopment opportunities
● Build and maintain trusting relationships with residents, business owners, municipal
officials, local organizations and networks, and other stakeholders, as well as with Tribal
representatives and partners
● Develop strategies to ensure community voices and priorities are heard and incorporated
into the planning process
● Represent the organization at public meetings, hearings, forums, and community events
● Facilitate respectful dialogue in environments where project impacts may be controversial
● Maintain awareness of local concerns and emerging community dynamics, and share
insights to inform organizational and development strategies
● Help manage and coordinate a constructive, inclusive advisory council process
Public Communications & Messaging
● Translate complex environmental, regulatory, and infrastructure concepts into clear,
accessible messaging
● Support development and distribution of outreach materials, presentations, and public
updates
● Coordinate with communications staff and external partners to ensure consistent
messaging
● Support administration of organization’s digital properties and channels
Organizational Collaboration
● Work cross-functionally with all teams within the organization
● Coordinate closely with a team of collaborating partners at other non-profit organizations
● Provide periodic updates and community sentiment reporting to leadership
● Operate independently while aligning closely with organizational strategy
Qualifications
● 5–7 years of experience in community outreach, organizing, public engagement, or related
field
● Strong public-facing presence and established ties within Maine communities preferred,
especially within the Kennebec watershed
● Demonstrated ability to build trust in rural or stakeholder-sensitive environments
● Understanding of relevant topics, such as river restoration, resource management, and
rural economic development
● Experience navigating complex or controversial public issues preferred
● Strong communication skills (public speaking, writing, facilitation)
● Ability to engage constructively with business leaders, regulators, municipal officials, Tribal
representatives, elected officials, and community members
● Ability to practice active listening to understand diverse perspectives and communicate
with honesty and transparency
● Experience collaborating with fundraising or development teams
● Demonstrates resilience in navigating ambiguity and setbacks, and approaches challenges
with humility
● Ability to operate independently, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines
● Willingness to travel within the region and attend occasional evening and weekend events
Physical Requirements of the Job
The job requires working at a computer station for substantial lengths of time, performing office
duties, and the ability to lift objects up to 30 pounds. The Trust will provide reasonable
accommodation for employees with disabilities where appropriate. Determinations on requests for
reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Workplace Environment
The Trust strives to provide a supportive work environment through fair and competitive
compensation and benefits, up-to-date equipment and IT support, adequate supervision, and
ongoing professional development. The work environment is friendly, fun, cooperative, and very
fast-paced. Staff members need to be able to work independently and adapt to changing priorities.
This work is supported by staff policy, training, and mentoring, and through fostering an
organization that prioritizes fairness and respect.
Kennebec River Restoration Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our mission is
best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and
culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we
encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins,
ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or
other status protected by law
