Join the Maine Conservation Corps

Position Available: Environmental Steward (900-HR) - MDI Bio Lab

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.

The Community Environmental Health Lab is a program of the MDI Biological Laboratory (MDIBL), a private non-profit research institution. MDIBL creates a gathering place for scientists from around the world to engage in the power of scientific thinking and explore our connection to the natural world, creating a powerful nexus for discovery and the application of new knowledge. The Community Environmental Health Laboratory is committed to community and citizen science, engaging people in identifying problems and being a part of the solution to public health challenges in Maine and beyond.

The Environmental Steward (ES) will be involved in public health projects that aim to get people's drinking water tested for arsenic and other contaminants, including PFAS. The position will include outreach and education about the importance of testing and mitigation throughout Maine and on Maines outer islands. Through a unique NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) focused on science communication, the ES will engage teachers and students as citizen scientists in collecting well water samples. In addition, the ES will reach out to Maines Senior Colleges and work with Community Health Partners and other stakeholder groups to recruit and engage Mainers in a new "Healthy Water, Healthy Aging" initiative.

The purpose of the AmeriCorps ES position is to help create an outreach model to engage people reliant on private well water in testing and mitigation so that they can live healthy lives. This is also a goal of our participation in the Maine Healthy Beaches Program, and in the summer months, the ES will also be involved in collecting and analyzing beach samples on Mount Desert Island to ensure public health.

Overall Goal:

Ensuring that people can live healthy lives, free from exposure to environmental contaminants.

Objectives:

Host listening sessions with residents who live near Mount Desert Island High School and other schools with contamination of their wells with PFAS. Activities: Identify residents at risk for PFAS exposure, provide them with preliminary information, and invite them to listening sessions to help us be responsive to their concerns and needs.
Collaborate with residents to collect drinking water samples to better understand the extent of PFAS contamination in the watershed. Activities: Order kit supplies, print datasheets and sample collection instructions, distribute and collect kits, arrange for shipment to Maine Laboratories, share results with homeowners, and create follow-up materials for addressing contamination issues.
Engage teachers and students in testing well water for arsenic and other toxic metals Activities: Attend weekly SEPA Inputs and Updates meetings with teachers and project partners to keep updated on teacher projects, meet with teachers to understand individual needs, create support materials for teachers, work with our Island Fellow from Island Institute to engage outer island teachers in our SEPA program.
Increase participation in our Healthy Water, Healthy Aging initiative to collect water samples from households for analysis of arsenic and other toxic metals. Activities: Make presentations to Maine Senior Colleges, help to create a course or workshop for Maine Senior Colleges and other groups, order materials, and assemble test kits. Ship or deliver test kits to interested people and manage incoming data. Communicate test results to homeowners using graphs and maps.
Participate in the Maine Healthy Beaches program to ensure that residents and visitors are not exposed to bacterial contamination of the water that puts them at risk for recreational water illnesses. Activities: Recruit and manage volunteers to help with collecting beach water samples. Conduct bacterial analyses and manage data. Interface with Maine Healthy Beaches personnel.

Location

MDI Biological Laboratory 159 Old Bar Harbor Rd. Bar Harbor, ME 04609

Start and End Date

June 10, 2024 to November 22, 2024

Time requirements

40 hours per week may include evenings, weekends and holidays.

Description of Duties:

Recruiting volunteers, tracking volunteer hours, appreciating volunteers
Participating in our NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) program to engage teachers and students as citizen scientists in collecting well water samples for analysis of arsenic and other toxic metals.
Meeting with communities about well water issues and engaging residents in well water testing as part of our Healthy Water, Healthy Aging initiative.
Assembling, mailing, or delivering well water test kits for toxic metals and PFAS or forever chemicals
Monitoring beach water quality for the Maine Healthy Beaches Program
Participate in the Maine Phytoplankton Monitoring Program in support of volunteers, as needed
General laboratory and field equipment maintenance
General laboratory oversight
Water quality data entry
Graphing, mapping, and maintenance of web pages
Assuring quality assurance procedures are followed
Participation in outreach and education about water quality
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, and 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:

Ability and comfort in recruiting and engaging volunteers
Ability to teach others with patience
Basic knowledge and experience with field and lab tasks
Ability to manage data and create data visualizations for reports and publications
Be able to connect and collaborate with stakeholders, organize meetings
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 occurs in all weather conditions (hot, cold, wet, buggy) and can be physically demanding.
Service includes leading and training volunteers, occasionally during weekday evenings.
Service includes traversing uneven terrain.
Service involves daytime travel for meetings and field projects
Service involves frequent communication to multiple parties, with a wide variety of program partners and the public, 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.

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 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 to use R or Prism GraphPad for creating data visualizations or interest in learning to use these programs.
Ability to use or interest in learning to use GIS to create maps.
Ability to communicate effectively, in writing and with other lab members, volunteers, and stakeholder groups.
Ability to learn basic laboratory and field techniques and carry out tests using defined protocols.
Ability to serve independently and in a completely trustworthy and ethical manner.
Ability to follow instructions, organize lab and field tasks, and manage data. We have data management systems in place for the ES to use

Additional Qualifications:

Bachelors degree in biology, environmental science, or a related field strongly preferred
Good computer skills and experience or interest in using large databases and geographic information systems. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Quick learner

The ES must be detail oriented so that minimal data errors are made. The ES should have good communication skills and be able to collaborate effectively with DEP staff and volunteer groups - the ES needs to be at least somewhat outgoing. The ES will need to be able to physically complete the field tasks. Lastly, the ES should possess a positive attitude, be able to get along with others, and be respectful.

Benefits:

Weekly living allowance of $480 (before taxes) for 24 weeks
AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,447.50
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
Housing is provided (rustic cabin) on site for this position

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. 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 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.

Maine.gov

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry