900 HR Environmental Steward – Maine Conservation Corps
This position is part of the Maine Conservation Corps AmeriCorps Environmental Steward Program – DCC is the host site for the environmental steward.
Deadline to Apply: 10/24/2022
Location: Machias, ME with travel in Washington County
Housing: Not provided, DCC is willing to help the member find reasonable housing
Days and Hours of Service: 40 hours per week: may include evenings and occasional weekends; June-November
Additional Training Provided: Chainsaw Safety Training
Host Site and Position Overview:
Downeast Coastal Conservancy (DCC) is a community-focused conservation organization, based in Machias, ME. DCC conserves essential ecological habitats, engages the local community, and fosters an environment where wildlife and people thrive in coastal Washington County, Maine. DCC owns and monitors more than 7,000 acres and 70 miles of shoreline in a wide variety of ecological habitats, and is an LTA-accredited land trust. In addition to conserving ecological habitats, DCC also provides a variety of recreational opportunities with various trail systems, canoe launches, picnic areas, and scenic vistas within these 7,000 acres.
Throughout the duration of this service, under the direction of the Stewardship Director, the Environmental Steward will develop a broad understanding of how DCC monitors and manages both fee and easement properties. The primary purpose of this position is to assist with land stewardship tasks, including hiking trail projects and ongoing trail maintenance, conservation easement, and fee property monitoring, leading local volunteers, and other conservation field projects outlined in DCC’s annual stewardship work plan. This position will also assist with a variety of community outreach projects, education programs, and large public events such as our annual “Middle River Rhythm” music festival in August.
One of the primary goals for this position is to lead volunteer projects and help recruit new volunteers. DCC has always had a strong history of collaborating with community members on conservation projects. Under the direct supervision of DCC’s Stewardship Director, the environmental steward position will help coordinate, schedule, and build DCC’s volunteer program for the duration of the position.
General position timeline:
June –Training and familiarization of DCC lands, volunteers, monitoring protocols, and trail maintenance procedures. Develop an understanding of stewardship field projects.
July – September – Continuous stewardship field projects including trail maintenance, mowing, signage installation, boundary marking, easement, and fee property monitoring, monitoring report writing, and assisting with public events. Coordination of volunteer schedules and public volunteer days.
October – November – End-of-season maintenance, servicing equipment, organizing volunteer database, completing/filing monitoring reports, and more.
Description of Duties:
- Assist in trail building, basic carpentry assignments, signage installation, and other tasks necessary to help bring newer DCC Preserves online.
- Assist in monitoring DCC’s 80+ preserves and Easements across Washington County.
- Assist in trail and preserve maintenance on DCC’s Public Access Preserves.
- Assist with outreach and educational programs offered by DCC, including, if desired, developing programs for schools, community members and/or DCC members.
- Coordinate with volunteers to complete tasks necessary for DCC to meet our stewardship and property maintenance requirements, set forth by the Land Trust Alliance and DCC’s internal work plan.
- Attend meetings with DCC’s Stewardship Committee and Outreach Committee, as necessary.
- Write and file reports, as necessary.
Essential Functions:
- The ability to work outdoors with equipment, most typically, but not limited to: brush mower, brush trimmer, chainsaw, drills, and hand tools, and must be able to do this in all weather conditions.
- Excellent written and communication skills.
- Ability to follow written and verbal directions with attention to detail.
- Possession of a valid driver’s license, personal vehicle, and a willingness to travel to and from work sites independently.
- Ability to collaborate with and provide oversight to volunteers.
- Ability to serve independently, with staff, and volunteers.
- Ability to use a GPS and map and compass comfortably in the field (or woods, as it were).
- Knowledge of the purpose and importance of environmental and community conservation.
- Good organizational skills.
Marginal Functions:
- Understanding of how to manage use on a property that has developed public access (parking, trails, multiple attracting features, etc)
- Understanding of non-profits, especially land trusts.
- Experience working with youth and youth programming.
Service Conditions:
Our service area is coastal Washington County. We are remote and rural with varying landscapes, from rugged coast to marsh, upland rolling terrain, thick woods. We don’t have a lot of elevation changes, so most of the landscape is actually quite easy to navigate. Some of our properties are large and will often require long days in the field. They should also expect very wet conditions in some locations, and in inclement weather.
- Service is performed primarily outdoors from June through November
- Service is performed primarily outdoors in all weather conditions and with biting and stinging insects
- Service involves some physical labor, occasional hiking with gear and tools over difficult terrain
- Service involves travel to nearby locations
- Service involves frequent communication to multiple parties, and may include electronic, telephonic and/or in-person communication
- Service involves managing time effectively and completing tasks with attention to detail
- Service will require the ability to self-motivate, serve independently and collaboratively
Site-Specific Qualifications:
- Experience with power tools in the field (including brush saws, brush mowers, chainsaws, and hand tools) and the ability to do so in remote areas, independently
- Comfort in public service and engaging the public, whether it is volunteers on a trail crew or students in an education program
- Must have reliable personal transportation (DCC will reimburse service-related mileage)
- Understanding of land conservation and why resource protection is important
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, or a related field
- Proficient with Microsoft Office preferred
- Ability to critically think and solve problems
- Affinity for leading activities and discussions with volunteers and the public
Benefits:
- Weekly living allowance of $375 (before taxes) for 24 weeks
- AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,247.50
- Health insurance, if eligible
- Certifications in the National Incident Management System, some members will also receive MCC Chainsaw Safety Certification
- Conferences such as the Maine AmeriCorps Member Conference
- Networking opportunities
- Maine State Park Pass
- Some members may also be eligible for student loan forbearance and childcare reimbursement
Deadline to Apply: 10/24/2022
What are the steps after application?
The selection process for Environmental Stewards might be different from some other application processes you have experience with, and we want to set you up for success, so here is what the process looks like:
- Maine Conservation Corps (MCC) receives your materials, asks for pieces that are missing, and screens your materials
- MCC requests your top 3 choices for Host Sites. It is important to note that after this point, sites (DCC) will be contacting you directly and if you are not responsive you will not continue with the process and you will be removed from the applicant pool
- MCC forwards your materials to the site (DCC) for their own interview process, and all sites will follow the same timeline
- Once you apply for one opportunity, we will keep you in the applicant pool until you let us know you are no longer interested
- You should hear from the site (DCC) whether you are selected or not
- If selected, the MCC office will follow up with onboarding paperwork
Questions? Email: corps.conservation@maine.gov