Join the Maine Conservation Corps

Position Available: 900 HR Environmental Steward - The Nature Conservancy

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 Nature Conservancy is a global non-profit conservation organization; our mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. In Maine, our teams work on forest conservation, river restoration, climate mitigation and adaptation, community engagement, Indigenous right relations, and land management of the ~270,000 acres that we own in Maine.

The purpose of this ES position is to:

Assist with invasive species surveys, monitoring, treatments, documentation, and mitigation efforts;
Initiate and manage conservation GIS data projects (exploration, analysis, documentation, and management of data) to help the team make efficient use of GIS tools and ensure consistent documentation of key features on the landscape;
Assist with rare plant and rare/high-quality plant community surveys, documentation, and research on TNC preserves, in partnership with State experts;
Assist with long-term forest monitoring and related data entry/management;
Complete ad-hoc ecological management projects as assigned (such as but not limited to convening dialog and field surveys around the intersectionality of river team priorities with TNC Maine Preserves).

Location:

Brunswick, ME

Time Requirement:

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:

Invasive species surveys, data entry of surveys, monitoring, treatments, and mitigation efforts (e.g., ash and hemlock seed collection) for both plants and insects.
Preparing reports of invasive species surveys with maps and narrative portions.
Assist with fire effects monitoring on sites managed with prescribed fire. Participate in prescribed burns if qualified.
Assist with long-term forest monitoring plots at ecological reserves, including prep, logistics/maps, data, and conducting plot surveys in remote locations with others.
Conservation GIS projects such as: data assessment, data exploration and management (creation, consolidation, metadata), data analysis.
Conservation/stewardship project support (field and office) and related non-spatial data organization and reporting; support and help track research projects conducted on TNC preserves.
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:

Basic ability to use ESRI ArcGIS systems including ArcPro and AGOL to create, visualize, and edit spatial data.
Ability to hike off-trail in remote areas carrying a 15 pound backpack. Stamina for long days doing forest monitoring plots, invasive plant/insect surveys, and invasive plant treatments.
Tolerance of biting insects, heat, rain and ability to maintain professional demeanor while serving in inclement conditions.
Ability to learn to identify plant and animal species. Training will be provided but successful ES must be interested in doing this regularly. Plant and animal identification will be a routine part of this position.
Ability to focus and be productive in an office setting. This position is a mix of office and field service.
Attention to detail for data collection, data editing, and data entry. Conservation science requires precision.
Ability to communicate clearly with host site supervisor and other members of the land management team, to keep each other appraised of progress, changes in plans, needs for information, logistics coordination, and more. Comfort with uncertainty when plans can change at the last minute due to field site conditions, weather, or partner needs.
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:

Map-making skills in ESRI ArcPro software.
Experience using tablets to collect data in the field using Survey123, FieldMaps, and QuickCapture.
Prior ability to identify common plant and animal species of Maine including but not limited to invasive plants and insects, common Maine trees and shrubs, etc.

Service Conditions:

This position is a mix of office and field-based service. This position is expected to report to the office when not in the field. Office space includes natural light and shared, open-plan workspaces. Office work will include GIS work, report writing, map-making, and limited data entry directly related to the field components of the position. Field service will include some long days carrying a full daypack off-trail over rough terrain, as well as some days doing manual/mechanical invasive plant removal. Other field days will involve walking multiple miles/day along trails, roads, or through woods and wetlands to survey and document invasive species and/or rare plants or plant communities, or to assist with forest monitoring plots. Some days will involve long drives to get to field sites where camping will be required, sometimes in remote locations. Some overnight travel is to be expected within Maine.

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
Required: Ability to learn to identify plant and animal species. Training/coaching will be provided but applicant must be interested in doing this regularly. Plant identification in particular will be a routine and important part of this position.
Ability to use ESRI ArcGIS systems including ArcPro and AGOL to create, visualize, and edit spatial data. Basic training/experience in ArcGIS is required; additional training and experience is preferred.
Required: Ability to communicate clearly with host site supervisor and other members of the land management team, to keep each other appraised of progress, changes in plans, needs for information, logistics coordination, and more.
Attention to detail for data collection, data editing, and data entry. Conservation science requires precision.
Ability to write reports and make maps (e.g., invasive plant survey report with maps).
Skill in documenting data management and analysis (e.g., major data processing and analysis steps, GIS metadata creation).

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
Reduced cost housing is available for this position

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