Join the Maine Conservation Corps

Position Available: Environmental Steward - Hurricane Island Gardens and Facilities

Gain meaningful experience exploring Maine through the lens of an individual conservation organization! Have you been waiting for a chance to learn about how a land trust operates? How a federal wildlife refuge creates and conserves habitat? How citizen science projects are created and accomplished?

Live, learn, and explore Maine's conservation pockets with the Maine Conservation Corps (MCC). As an MCC AmeriCorps Environmental Steward, you can make an impact within an organization and the community by achieving specific Host Site goals as unique as each placement.

Environmental Stewards (ES) accomplish a wide variety of conservation projects ranging from water quality monitoring, habitat restoration, mobilizing volunteers to maintain hiking trails, banding and gathering data on songbirds, restoring eelgrass, teaching school kids about shellfisheries, mapping invasive species, and more. Gain experience and an adventure while making a difference.

The purpose of this position is to support the daily functions of the systems that support the island community and critical infrastructure. This person will work within Hurricane Islands Island Operation department and facilities team. The general scope of this service position is split into two major categories - tasks in Hurricane Islands educational garden and tasks with Hurricane Islands unique sustainable systems.

Garden tasks will consist of general garden management (seeding, weeding, maintaining soil health, harvesting, etc.) and compost system management. The ES will assist in seasonal turnover of the garden, planning, crop cultivation, and planting. This person will also support the garden in carpentry related projects as needed.

Facilities tasks with the sustainable systems will include maintenance of the water, power, waste, and greywater systems which keep the island running. This position is incredibly important to supporting the island community and education programming, allowing the organization to uphold its mission. In the later months of this service term, the ES will assist the Island Director and Facilities team with closing down the islands systems.

Location

Rockland, ME

Housing

Provided

Start and End Date

May 4, 2026 to October 16, 2026

Time requirements

Environmental Stewards are expected to serve a minimum of 40 hours per week. The Host Site determines a regular schedule and will include a minimum of 2 days off per week. Regular schedules may be modified for special events.

Description of Duties:

In the Garden

General garden maintenance (seeding, weeding, harvest, soil regeneration, etc.)
Maintaining compost systems
Carpentry and maintenance of garden fence, compost bays, trellises, greenhouse, etc.

Facilities/Sustainable systems

Trail maintenance and clearing as needed
General system maintenance
Increase accessibility on the island
de-gendering existing infrastructure, creating ramps to buildings, etc.
Opening and closing of systems as needed

As an Island community member

Participate as a full member of Hurricanes intentional community
Assist with student (middle and high school) free time supervision as needed
Follow and uphold campus policies and community expectations
Welcome visitors to the island and communicate about Hurricane Islands mission and work
Participate in community tasks including daily and weekly chores
Participate in MCC orientation, training, events, and conferences
Assist with pre-approved and allowable fundraising activities
Engage in volunteer management activities including: Recruiting volunteers, Promoting and leading volunteer events, Collecting and submitting Volunteer Assignment Agreements to MCC, Implementing the Essential Volunteer Management Practices and Volunteer Management Action Plan
Complete ongoing assignments and required tasks, including job readiness training, construction of member portfolios, weekly timesheets, and quarterly reports.
Participate in a Site Visit with MCC staff
Maintain regular communication with MCC, including checking email no less than weekly
Participate in mid-term and end-of-term evaluations with the Host Site Supervisor
Adhere to the MCC code of conduct, safety rules and guidelines, drug-free workplace, and other policies outlined in the MCC Handbook and Member Agreement
Represent MCC and host site in a professional and supportive manner to the public and media

Essential Functions:

Ability and willingness to serve and live in a remote island community with rustic and off-the-grid accommodations where all staff share living and work space
General familiarity with gardening and/or agricultural systems
Interest and enthusiasm for working with youth
Comfort with power tools and willingness to learn proper techniques with new tools
A growth mindset including a willingness to be coached and openness to feedback
Commitment to equity and inclusion within our community and participation in a culture of continual learning around equity and inclusion work
Effective communication and interpersonal skills
Demonstrated initiative to identify and complete projects and work independently or as part of a team with minimal supervision
Perform physically challenging work in the outdoors and in all weather conditions on uneven terrain while monitoring and maintaining student safety
Capable of safely lifting 50lbs of weight and working on unstable surfaces
Ability to work in a noisy, energetic environment while remaining welcoming to community members
Serve during evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
Possesses the ability to manage volunteers
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
Demonstrates good judgment and professionalism
Demonstrates initiative, reliability, and flexibility
Ability to serve both independently and as part of a team
Ability to manage time effectively and produce quality results with attention to detail
Demonstrates a desire to learn, serve others, and make a difference

Marginal Functions:

Light carpentry skills and familiarity with power tools;
Ability to drive a tractor/large machinery;
Experience working in sustainable food systems (gardening, farming, aquaculture, etc.);
Involvement in community service projects, leadership, and social and environmental justice;
Relevant certifications or experience (e.g., climbing, boating, lifeguarding, etc.). CPR, First Aid, or Wilderness First Responder certification;

Service Conditions:

Service will be completed outdoors in all conditions, with a mix of field and office tasks. Weather is variable in Maine, and inclement weather clothing is necessary (warm layers, winter jacket, insulated winter boots with warm socks etc). Trail spaces could be snowy, icy, wet, muddy, etc. During the summer months the temperatures can vary from cool in the morning to hot in the afternoons, increased humidity and afternoon thunderstorms are common. Proper layering, and rain gear, is recommended in the summer.

The Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership is a transformative learning community on Hurricane Island in Penobscot Bay, Maine. The 125 acre island is located 12 miles off the coast of Rockland, Maine. Our campus is powered by solar energy and our sustainable systems also include solar heated water, freshwater pumped from a freshwater pond on the island, composting toilets, greywater wetland treatment system, food composting, organic gardens, and a 3-acre aquaculture farm where we grow scallops, mussels, and kelp for our education and research programs. We provide rustic housing in small cabins and wall tents, and fantastic meals supporting all dietary restrictions.

Service is performed primarily outdoors
Service involves some physical labor
Service involves travel to nearby locations
Service is performed independently and as part of a team
Service involves frequent communication to multiple parties
Service involves managing time effectively and completing tasks with attention to detail
Service will require the ability to self-motivate, serve independently and collaboratively

Qualifications

High School diploma or equivalent
Must be at least 18 years old
Must be a US Citizen or permanent resident
Must agree to a criminal history check
All positions at State sites require a valid drivers license with a good 5-year driving record
Passion for community service and the environment
Commitment to complete the full term of service
Ability, willingness, and a positive attitude regarding living and serving in a remote, off-the-grid, sustainable community
Interest and general familiarity with gardening, plant cultivation, and sustainability
WFR preferred

Benefits:

Weekly living allowance of $535 (before taxes) for 24 weeks
AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50
Certifications in the National Incident Management System, some members (determined by Host Site need) will also receive MCC Chainsaw Safety Certification
Conferences such as the Maine AmeriCorps Member Conference and Volunteer Leadership Conference
Networking opportunities
Maine State Park Pass
Some members may also be eligible for student loan forbearance and childcare reimbursement
This position includes rustic, off grid housing

Orientation and Training Topics:

Members will participate in up to five orientation days. Typical topics include: Intro to AmeriCorps, Prohibited Program Activities, MCC, Host Sites and You, OnCorps reporting, Portfolio Development, Professional Communication, National Incident Management Systems, and Safety. Orientation and training will be primarily in person.

Job readiness training, such as resume writing, job search components, appropriate workplace behaviors, and interview skills will be taught throughout the term of service. Additional training may be provided by the Host Site.

Volunteer Engagement

The Environmental Steward will utilize the Essential Volunteer Management Practices to improve the sites volunteer program.

The MCC ES will recruit and promote volunteer opportunities from the local community, businesses, and social organizations to accomplish projects. The MCC will assist members in identifying potential outreach opportunities, best approaches, and promotion of events to increase volunteerism at the Host Site. The ES will improve the sustainability of the overall volunteer program.

Maine.gov

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry