Join the Maine Conservation Corps

Position Available: 900 HR Environmental Steward - City of Portland

Gain meaningful, hands-on experience exploring Maine through the lens of a conservation organization.

Are you looking for a real-world opportunity to:

See how a land trust protects and stewards land?
Learn how a national wildlife refuge creates and conserves habitat?
Understand how citizen science projects are designed, implemented, and shared?

Live, learn, and explore Maine's wild and scenic landscapes with the Maine Conservation Corps (MCC). As an MCC AmeriCorps Environmental Steward, youll make a tangible impact within a host organization and its community-advancing conservation goals that are as unique as each placement.

Environmental Stewards (ES) support a wide range of conservation projects, which may include:

Monitoring water quality in rivers, lakes, and coastal areas
Restoring wildlife habitat and sensitive ecosystems
Mobilizing and leading volunteers to maintain hiking trails
Collecting data on songbirds and other wildlife
Restoring eelgrass and other critical marine habitats
Teaching students about Maines shellfisheries and coastal ecology
Mapping and managing invasive species

Build your skills, expand your network, and experience Maines conservation landscapewhile making a real difference.

The Portland Youth Corps promotes personal and professional growth through community service, environmental stewardship, and hands-on conservation opportunities within Portland's beautiful parks and green spaces.

This Environmental Steward (ES) will act as a Crew Leader for the Portland Youth Corps Summer and Fall sessions. They will be responsible for recruitment, daily leadership, and coordination of day-to-day logistics of the program. The youth crew members that the ES will be leading are high school aged students who will perform conservation-based service projects throughout Portlands parks, and will receive training, work experience, professional mentorship, and a stipend at the end of their sessions.

Location

Portland, ME

Start and End Date

June 8, 2026 to November 20, 2026

Time requirements

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

Description of Duties:

Organizing regular after school service projects for crews during the school year
Leading summer work crews that will perform projects throughout Portlands parks and open spaces
Provided day to day management, coordination, and problem solving.
Trail maintenance/construction, invasive species management, native planting, pollinator/perennial garden maintenance, habitat restoration, and tree planting.
Coordinating with various Parks, Rec, and Facilities staff and partner organizations to plan and implement work projects, including arranging for materials, tools, food, transportations, and other logistics
Leading overnight recreation trips during and at the end of each work hitch. Potential trips include backpacking, day hiking, camping, canoeing, and white-water rafting.
Responsible for the day to day safety and well-being of program members, and for creating a positive work environment that is productive and welcoming for students of all backgrounds.
Participate in MCC and AmeriCorps orientations, 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 AmeriCorps Member Agreement
Represent MCC and host site in a professional and supportive manner to the public and media

Essential Functions:

Provide positive and inclusive leadership and role modeling to high school aged crew members
Conflict resolution and positive mentoring skills
Ability to clearly communicate in writing and verbally with staff at City and with partner organizations
Display a high level of professionalism, independence, self-motivations, and confident leadership.
Knowledge of outdoor work including but not limited to: trail construction, tree planting, garden maintenance, and invasive species identification.
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

Service Conditions:

Service will be completed outdoors in all conditions, with a mix of field and office tasks. Outdoor spaces could be snowy, icy, wet, muddy, etc early spring and late fall. 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.

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
Valid drivers license with a good 5-year driving record (required)
Ability to pass a City of Portland background check (required)
Leadership experience and an ability to serve as a positive role model for a diverse group of young people (required)
The ability to get things done independently with effective communication and organizational skills (required)
Experience with outdoor work including trail maintenance, tree planting, and gardening (preferred)
A second language would be desirable, but not required: Portuguese, French, Spanish, or Arabic
Basic first aid (preferred)
Light carpentry knowledge (preferred)
Experience in working with youth (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 does not come with 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, Leave No Trace, 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 host sites volunteer program.

The MCC Environmental Steward will also 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 and promoting events to increase volunteerism at the Host Site by using the Essential Volunteer Management Practices. The Environmental Steward will improve the sustainability of the overall volunteer program.

Maine.gov

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry