Join the Maine Conservation Corps

Position Available: Environmental Steward (900-Hour) - Mt. Blue State Park and Tumbledown Public Lands

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.

Mount Blue, Tumbledown and the Weld region lie within the western mountains of Maine's ten million acre northern forest. Spectacular peaks, popular hiking trails, productive forests, alpine ponds, important wildlife habitat and Webb Lake define this unique area.

Mount Blue State Park is located about 14 miles northwest of Wilton off Route 156 in Weld. The campground, hot showers, sand beach with bathhouse, boat launch, amphitheater, and nature center are featured in the Webb Lake area. A park interpretive naturalist leads scheduled hikes and programs during the summer months. Adirondack shelters are available for group camping and canoes may be rented. The Center Hill area provides scenic overlooks, nature trails, and extensive multiple-use use trails open to ATVs, horses, hikers, and mountain bikes. Mount Blue is also a popular day hike.

This AmeriCorps Environmental Steward (ES) position, funded by the Recreational Trails Program's safety and environmental protection component will provide information to hikers while on trails. The ES will encourage the best behavior on the part of hikers to facilitate a positive trail experience (particularly for those who are poorly prepared), encourage volunteerism by local individuals and organizations, and educate the public on how to enjoy the trails while also preserving them. The ES will discourage and mitigate misuse of these recreational areas, following and teaching LNT principles. Candidates must demonstrate maturity, responsibility, initiative, self-motivation, and willingness to live in a remote area with little to no wifi or internet access/phone access. In addition to the main purpose, completing trail rehabilitation projects is a focus, including recruiting volunteers to assist with these endeavors.

Location:

Mt. Blue State Park and Tumbledown Public Lands 299 Center Hill Rd. Weld, ME 04285

Training and orientation typically occur near the MCC office, 54 Independence Drive, Augusta, ME.

Time Requirement:

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

Description of Duties:

  • Interact with and educate the public on safe trail use
  • Ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision
  • Interact with the public under stressful conditions, both weather conditions (bugs, heat, cold, rain etc.,) and dispositions of the public (argumentative, aggressive, hostile, apathetic)
  • Maintain and develop volunteer engagement through partnerships to maintain trails and educate others on LNT principles.
  • Assist staff with monitoring of conserved lands and visitor use (i.e. parking lot car counts, maintaining records of number of fire rings disbanded etc.)
  • Follow protocols set forward by MCC, BPL, TCA
  • Conduct outreach and build partnerships through meetings, phone calls, emails and letters.
  • Lead groups in projects
  • Schedule volunteer projects
  • Build and maintain trails
  • Implement best practices for erosion control for trails
  • Accomplish projects despite variable weather
  • Organize multiple projects
  • Track project details
  • Analyze information for relevance and impact
  • Meet project deadlines
  • Drive vehicles and transport tools
  • Maintain tools
  • Perform outdoor labor in a safe manner
  • Communicate with staff, volunteers and landowners
  • 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:

  • Excellent communication, education and organization skills
  • Ability to put others at ease, group leadership skills
  • Positive work ethic and sense of humor
  • Familiarity with mountain hiking trails
  • Willingness to assist on trail maintenance and construction projects related to trails and infrastructure
  • Willingness and physical ability to work on a variety of conservation projects, which will include using power and hand tools
  • Heavy lifting, bending, and carrying up to 50 pounds
  • Walking across steep or uneven terrain
  • Serving in extremes of heat or cold, as well as being exposed to biting and stinging insects
  • Serving, living, eating, and camping outdoors in all weather conditions
  • Ability to hike 3-12 miles per day in rugged terrain, often carrying heavy gear and tools
  • Demonstrated ability to serve individually while achieving measurable results
  • An ability to focus on the passion for conservation through outreach
  • Flexibility, problem solving, and creative thinking
  • Recruiting, retaining, and collaborating with volunteers in a professional manner
  • 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:

  • These sites do NOT have good cell service or reliable wifi
  • Service is performed primarily outdoors in all weather conditions and biting and stinging insects
  • Service involves some physical labor, and hiking with gear and tools over difficult terrain
  • Service involves travel to nearby locations

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
  • Knowledge of LNT principles
  • Knowledge of safe hiking, backpacking, and camping practices
  • Sustainable trail-building skills
  • GPS/GIS experience
  • WFR/WFA preferred
  • Experience with outreach-comfortable building partnerships and reaching out to new volunteers to support education, trail building and land conservation through phone calls, emails, and letters
  • Strong verbal skills
  • Leadership aptitude

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.

To Apply: Submit an MCC Application, resume, and cover letter. Please email Corps.Conservation@maine.gov for questions and information.

Unemployed, underemployed, minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply

The Maine Conservation Corps provides equal opportunity in employment and programs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Accommodation arrangements must be requested in advance by contacting MCC staff.