Local recruitment: Executive Director via Idealist

Saco River Corridor Commission

Cornish, ME, USA 🇺🇸

The SRCC is a Quasi-state regulatory agency committed to protecting public health, safety, and the quality of life for the State of Maine through the regulation of land and water uses, protection and conservation of the region’s unique and exceptional natural resources, and through the prevention of impacts caused by incompatible development.  Ideal candidates will have a passion and drive for the protection of natural resources and the environment.

In 1973, the Maine State Legislature established the Commission when citizens from our communities approached the legislature with concern over unplanned development and overcrowding that would lead to the degradation of the Saco, Ossipee, and Little Ossipee Rivers. We are honored to continue the mission of protecting the Saco River Corridor and public health in southern Maine. This role provides an extremely unique opportunity to work on state environmental issues critical to preserving the natural resources in southern Maine. 

NATURE AND ROLE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

The Executive Director is hired by the Commission and is, according to the statute, the principal administrative, operational and executive employee of the Commission.  The Executive Director must attend all meetings of the Commission and is permitted by statute to participate fully, but is not a voting member of the Commission.  The Executive Director, with the approval of the Commission, may hire “whatever competent professional personnel and other staff as may be necessary and may obtain office space, goods and services as required.”  (38 M.R.S.A. Section 954-B.) 

FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

I. COMMISSION RELATIONSHIP  A. Implement the policies and decisions of the Commission; B. Participate in all Commission meetings and meetings of Commission committees; C. Serve as staff to the Commission and its working committees, providing information and recommendations about policy decisions, budgets, permit applications and other matters on which the Commission must make decisions; D. Keep the Commission informed of significant events impacting the Commission’s function and operation; E. Schedule and facilitate meetings with the Rules Committee, the Executive Committee and the Finance Committee as needed. 

II. OPERATIONS AND FINANCES  A. Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Commission; B. Prepare and submit grant funding applications on the State, County and Municipal level; negotiate grants or other financial arrangements with local businesses to further support  2 Commission work; all applications and negotiations to be shared with the Commission and subject to Commission approval; C. Develop the Commission’s annual operation budget to present to the Finance Committee and to bring to the Commission for adoption.  Consult with State Bureau of the Budget about the budget process.  Attend and make presentation on budget requests at the State, County, and/or Municipal levels; D. Oversee spending to assure that it remains within budgetary constraints (in conjunction with the Commission Treasurer); E. Review applications for permits and variances and determine their compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements; make written recommendations to the Commission; review and edit proposed Commission decisions prepared by the Administrative Assistant; F. Perform site inspections for all hardship variance requests and for permit applications as necessary; G. Recommend revisions to Commission procedural rules and regulations (including schedules of fees) for presentation to the Commission (in consultation with Rules and Finance Committees); H. Develop and maintain mechanisms for notification of municipal officials regarding permit applications and Commission decisions on such application; I. Review and edit minutes of committee and full Commission meetings as prepared by the Administrative Assistant; J. Oversee the work of the Administrative Assistant, other staff and/or interns; K. Work with the Environmental Compliance Evaluator position when filled; L. Prepare and submit reports required or requested from State Government (includes submits for Maine State Government Annual Report, Out-of-State Travel Report, Annual Work Plan to Bureau of the Budget and other miscellaneous reports as requested from time to time); M. Write and send all necessary correspondence; N. Respond to telephone  and walk-in inquiries; O. Develop and maintain effective relations with local, state, and regional officials, with local businesses, and with the general public so that the Commission’s interests are represented and served.  Perform the necessary advocacy for the Commission’s statutory mission and purposes.  Speak to groups and organizations about the Saco River Corridor Commission.  Provide other public education as needed; P. Maintain Commission office space through contact with landlord as necessary; Q. Make recommendations to Commission regarding operating hours consistent with Commission resources, and assure that adequate open office hours are maintained in cooperation with the Administrative Assistant and the Commissioners; R. Prepare an Annual Report of Commission activities, to be approved by the Commission; provide recommended Annual Reports for each town to be used by each Commissioner in preparation of a report to their respective town; S. Perform all other duties as necessary to assure the smooth operation of the Commission. 

III.      ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION EFFORTS  A. Oversee the seasonal water quality monitoring program;  3 B. Coordinate function, accuracy and use of the water quality equipment; C. Act as liaison between the Maine DEP, US EPA and others with respect to the protocol, accuracy of data collection and chosen locations of collection; D. Maintain point of contact with the laboratory that analyzes SRCC data; E. Act as representative on coalitions, attending meetings and carrying out assignments as necessary. 

SALARY AND BENEFITS 

This is a full time position based in Cornish Maine. The hours for the position are Monday-Thursday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, with Friday’s flexible dependent on current work. The schedule is flexible. There are two nightly meetings required every month (except December) on the second and fourth Wednesday. The Commission will offer an annual starting salary from $60,000-$70,000 with a generous benefit package, including healthcare coverage and paid time off (up to 5 weeks over time). Annual professional development funds are also provided. To apply for the position, please submit a resume, cover letter, and professional references to the Saco River Corridor Commission Hiring Committee by June 5, 2023. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and may be directed to Dalyn Houser, the current executive director, at dalyn@srcc-maine.org.

About the Land-Use Regulatory Program: The Saco River Corridor includes lands adjacent to the Saco, Ossipee, and Little Ossipee Rivers, including lands within 500 feet of these rivers and up to 1,000 feet in the 100-year floodplain. There are twenty municipalities along the 130 river miles of the corridor. The Land-Use Regulatory Program includes regulating land uses within the corridor.  The SRCC protects public health, safety, and quality of life for the State of Maine through its regulation of land and water uses. Most development projects within the corridor require a permit. The Commission and staff conduct site visits, review and analysis of the site/proposed project, and consults with other relevant agencies regarding projects. Permit approval is subject to the analysis of the environmental impact of the proposed development project as it relates to the standards of the Saco River Corridor Act. 

The priorities of the Commission’s Land Use Regulatory Program are: • To ensure the quality of reservoir drinking water; • To ensure the visually scenic character and tourist economy of the corridor; • To ensure each town has the information necessary to make informed decisions; and • To ensure, conserve, and protect the unique and exceptional character of the corridor. 

About the Water Quality Monitoring (WQM) Program: The SRCC runs a joint program (RIVERS) with the Green Mountain Conservation Group that monitors the watershed’s health in Maine and New Hampshire. Through this program, the SRCC monitors water quality by sampling for various parameters at 43 sample sites and conducting in-house analyses of certain samples. The SRCC provides all corridor towns and the Maine DEP with annual reports on water quality to help refine our regulations to meet the current needs of the rivers and citizens in the corridor for Identifying problem areas along the river and a more informed decision-making process are a direct outcome of this program. The SRCC is currently conducting our 21st sampling season. The SRCC monitors 43 sites for various parameters across the Saco, Ossipee, and Little Ossipee Rivers in 20 towns throughout the Saco River Basin. 

The priorities of the Commission’s Water Quality Monitoring Program are: • To ensure quality drinking water; • To ensure the rivers’ water quality through the collection and analysis of data, land use planning, and the study of development; • To ensure the towns have the water quality information necessary to make informed decisions concerning land use within the corridor; and • To ensure the viability of recreational and economic resources from the corridor. 

Benefits

This is a full time position based in Cornish Maine. The hours for the position are Monday-Thursday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, with Friday’s flexible dependent on current work. The schedule is flexible. The Commission will offer an annual starting salary from $60,000-$70,000 with a generous benefit package, including healthcare coverage and paid time off (up to 5 weeks over time). Annual professional development funds are also provided. To apply for the position, please submit a resume, cover letter, and professional references to the Saco River Corridor Commission Hiring Committee by June 5, 2023. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.


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