Jul 31, 2025
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BAR HARBOR—The Town of Bar Harbor is advertising for a newly created position in its planning department.
The town posted a job listing for a sustainable economic development coordinator on its website, July 18.
The new position replaces an unfilled position in the planning department.
“The sustainable economic development coordinator position is funded through the vacancy previously titled ‘staff planner,’” said Bar Harbor Planning Director Michele Gagnon, Wednesday. “This vacancy provided an opportunity to reassess the role and take a more strategic approach to aligning the position with the town council’s goals and priorities.”
The coordinator would work under Gagnon. There are five people in her department including Gagnon and this position. The other staff members are Director of Housing and Community Planner Cali Martinez’; staff planner Hailey Bondy; and the administrative assistant.
“Although the administrative assistant, works primarily with the code enforcement office, he is technically part of the planning department,” Gagnon said.
Bondy staffs the planning board and focuses on people-centered transportation and stewardship of natural and built resources.
Martinez focuses on housing and community planning.
“The sustainable economic development coordinator will staff the design review board and appeals board, and will lead efforts to make Bar Harbor more sustainable and resilient,” Gagnon said.
The town voters just approved its comprehensive plan this June and has multiple land use ordinance amendments in front of them for the November election.
The past town council had approved a sustainable tourism management task force, which has just begun meeting. It is a temporary advisory board meant to “work on unifying perspectives to create a clear vision for Bar Harbor’s future with tourism.”
“This position will play a key role in implementing the Bar Harbor 2035 vision, with a focus on two major themes: a diverse economy and community infrastructure and services. The work will aim to enhance quality of life for residents, support long-term community well-being, and foster a stronger sense of cohesion and connection within Bar Harbor,” Gagnon said.
One of the task force’s next steps will be to understand and define “sustainable tourism,” and what tools the task force can use to engage community.
“This is a very broad and diverse community and in order to touch each part of it, we have to use different tools,” Chair Vicki Hall said about engaging the public in its work.
Hall was elected to chair the task force by its members during its first meeting.
The goal of the 13-member group is to have a clear vision for Bar Harbor’s tourism future, Gagnon said in June. She expects that will take 12-18 months.
Its members were appointed by the Bar Harbor Town Council in April. The town council had approved the task force during its January 21 meeting.
The job’s description for the coordinator reads, “This position focuses on promoting sustainable economic growth, supporting tourism and land use planning, analyzing local trends, and coordinating with partners like the National Park Service and regional organizations. This position receives great benefits including retirement options, two weeks of vacation, sick time, medical, dental, and vision.”
Desired minimum qualifications include a “bachelor’s degree in urban planning, rural planning, community development, economic development, environmental studies, engineering, or related field (master’s degree preferred)” and a “minimum of five years of professional experience in sustainable tourism planning, economic development, or community planning,” according to the job description.
LINKS TO LEARN MORE
The position on the town’s website is here.
How to Apply:
Please submit a cover letter and resume to:
Town of Bar Harbor
Attn: HR
93 Cottage Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
or via email to: HR@barharbormaine.gov
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