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Join the Maine Conservation Corps
Position Available: Environmental Steward - Hurricane Island Center for Science and Outdoor Leadership
The purpose of this position is to fulfill the mission of the Maine Conservation Corps (MCC), which is to accomplish conservation initiatives that inspire people and enhance communities. This is achieved by accomplishing conservation projects, creating pathways to employment, delivering environmental education, and engaging community volunteers.
Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership (Hurricane Island) is a non-profit education and research center that connects students and teachers to hands-on environmental learning opportunities, bringing research into the classroom and bringing learners into the field. It is our mission to integrate scientific research and education on a Maine coastal island to develop leaders prepared to address environmental issues in a rapidly changing world. We are a critical connector of scientists, fishermen, educators, students, and leaders along the Maine coast, and our research agenda prioritizes collaborative projects addressing locally relevant questions with broad-reaching impacts.
We are seeking 2 AmeriCorps members to serve as additional educators to implement delivery of Hurricane Island's hands-on, experiential science education and leadership programs to middle and high school students attending the multiple Maine DOE-funded summer Marine Ecology programs on Hurricane Island. The AmeriCorps members will partner and collaborate with our education team, expanding our instructional effectiveness our ability to provide educational experiences for groups from The GameLoft, IKnowME, Bryant Pond 4H, Troy Howard Middle School, Lisbon Falls, Casco Bay, and a HS Aquaculture Workforce Development Program.
Our direct-to-student programs engage students in research-driven projects with their classes on Hurricane Island and in our open-enrollment science programs for middle and high school students. The AmeriCorps members will collaborate with schoolteachers, program leaders, and Hurricane Island staff to design and deliver holistic learning opportunities that align with Hurricane Island's teaching philosophies, program goals, and student needs. The DOE programming allows us to prioritize students with geographic or socioeconomic barriers to coastal access through partnerships with the programs listed above.
Location
Rockland, ME
Housing
Provided
Start and End Date
June 10, 2023 to August 30, 2023
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:
- Collaborate with program leaders, and Hurricane Island staff to design and deliver holistic learning opportunities that align with Hurricane Island teaching philosophies, program goals, and student needs, including, but not limited to:
- Facilitating place-based, student driven learning experiences within a culturally responsive, inclusive learning community;
- Creating and leading evening programs with student participants;
- Managing group dynamics, leading team building exercises/games, and facilitating participant comfort in outdoor settings.
- Assume primary responsibility for student care and wellness including,
- Overnight presence and overnight on-call duties as necessary;
- Managing student physical, social, and emotional safety in outdoor settings;
- Safeguarding student health needs and confidentiality according to existing medical records and emergent conditions;
- Maintain a growth mindset and participate in program improvement by:
- Ensuring delivery of all Hurricane Island evaluation instruments to program participants and consistently integrating feedback from evaluations into practice;
- Participating in weekly reflections on best practices in teaching and learning with other education staff members;
- Documenting lesson plans, program schedules, and program notes within established formats and with an eye to future replicability and improvement.
- Participate as a full member of Hurricanes intentional community, including following and Leading by example with campus policies and community expectations, welcoming visitors to the island and communicating about Hurricanes mission and work, participating in community tasks including daily and weekly chores, performing other duties relating to the organizations goals and mission as required.
- Participate in MCC and AmeriCorps orientations, trainings, 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 portfolio, 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 AmeriCorps Member Agreement
- Represent MCC and host site in a professional and supportive manner to the public and media
Essential Functions:
- Demonstrated interest, experience and enthusiasm for teaching and leading experiential programs for youth (preferably middle and high school age)
- Ability and willingness to serve and live in a remote island community with rustic and off-the-grid accommodations where all folks share living and working spaces
- 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 serve in a noisy, energetic environment while remaining welcoming to community members
- 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:
- Previous experience conducting ecological field research and/or mentoring student-driven research.
- Involvement in community service projects, leadership, and social and environmental justice.
- Experience developing and assessing curriculum.
- Relevant certifications or experience (e.g., climbing, boating, lifeguarding, etc.). CPR, First Aid, or Wilderness First Responder certification
- Working experience with racial and ethnic minority groups, English language learners, urban youth, low-income communities, immigrant communities, LGBTQ communities, people with special needs, and other groups that are underrepresented in the field of environmental education.
Service Conditions:
The Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership is a transformative learning community on Hurricane Island in Penobscot Bay, Maine. The 130-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 will be completed outdoors in all conditions, with a mix of field and office tasks. Islands can host a wide variety of weather activity, and proper inclement weather clothing is necessary (warm layers, winter jacket, insulated winter boots with warm socks etc). Island spaces could be 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.
- Service will sometimes occur on evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
- 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 with 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
- Must agree to a criminal history check
- All positions at State sites require a valid driver's license with a good 5-year driving record
- Passion for community service and the environment
- Commitment to complete the full term of service
- Bachelor's degree or working towards a bachelor's degree with experience in science, education, environmental, multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary studies, or any related field.
- Experience working with students and/or teachers in either a formal or informal education environment
- WFR
Benefits:
- Weekly living allowance of $480 (before taxes) for 12 weeks
- AmeriCorps Education Award of $1824.07
- Networking opportunities
- Maine State Park Pass
- Some members may also be eligible for student loan forbearance
- These positions will receive rustic housing for the entirety of their service term, and meals are provided when on Hurricane Island. Housing is often shared housing in either cabins or wall tents with beds, but no electricity or running water. There is a shower house with running water, and composting toilets.
Orientation and Training Topics:
Members will participate in up to five orientation and training 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, Leave No Trace, Intro to Trails, Tool Safety, Use and Maintenance, Interpretive Programs. Initial orientation and training will likely include some virtual aspects in 2024.
Job readiness training, such as resume writing, job search components, appropriate workplace behaviors and interview skills will be taught throughout the term of service.
Volunteer Engagement
The Environmental Steward will utilize the Essential Volunteer Management Practices to improve the sites volunteer program.
The MCC ES will also recruit and promote volunteer opportunities from the local community, businesses, and social organizations to accomplish trail projects. The MCC will assist members in identifying potential outreach opportunities, best approaches, and promotion of events to increase volunteerism at the Host Site by using the Essential Volunteer Management Practices. The ES will improve the sustainability of the overall volunteer program.