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Environmental Stewards

Serve as an integral part of a conservation organization!

Want to take your background in natural resources to the next level? As an Environmental Steward (ES) you'll gain invaluable hands-on experience and confidence in the field, while networking with potential employers. Use your knowledge and expertise to tackle the needs of local organizations. Each ES role is unique, past projects have included:

• Environmental Education
• Volunteer Management
• Environmental Data Collection
• Land/Trail Management

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Resources: Environmental Steward FAQs (DOC)

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Field Teams

Do something different and discover your potential!

Looking to make a difference? Get paid to explore Maine's wilderness, coast, and mountains, whiled doing something that matters. Come gain confidence and grit serving with our Field Teams! Field Team members construct and rehabilitate sustainable trails in places like Baxter State Park, and on the Appalachian Trail, as well as land owned by local communities and land trusts. Your efforts as a Field Team member provide access to Maine's natural areas and present recreation, education, and fitness opportunities for the public. Team members gain an appreciation for their strengths and abilities, all while serving in some of Maine's most wild and beautiful places! Resources: Field Team FAQs (PDF)

Job Overview

Hurricane Island Center for Science and Outdoor Leadership
Term: June 5, 2023-August 25, 2023
Location: Rockland, ME
Housing: Provided

Days and Hours of Service: 40 hours per week: may include evenings, weekends and holidays.

Host Site and Position Overview:
The AmeriCorps Environmental Steward will serve as an additional educator to increase capacity and 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 member will partner and collaborate with our education team, expanding our instructional effectiveness, expanding our ability to provide educational experiences for groups from The GameLoft, IKnowME, Bryant Pond4H, Troy Howard Middle School, the Penobscot Bay Leadership Collaborative, and the HS Aquaculture Workforce Development Program.

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:
o Facilitating place-based, student driven learning experiences within a culturally responsive, inclusive learning community;
o Creating and leading evening programs with student participants;
o Managing group dynamics, leading team building exercises/games, and facilitating participant comfort in outdoor settings.
• Assume primary responsibility for student care and wellness including,
o Overnight presence and overnight on-call duties as necessary;
o Managing student physical, social, and emotional safety in outdoor settings;
o Safeguarding student health needs and confidentiality according to existing medical records and emergent conditions;
• Maintain a growth mindset and participate in program improvement by:
o Ensuring delivery of all Hurricane Island evaluation instruments to program participants and consistently integrating feedback from evaluations into practice;
o Participating in weekly reflections on best practices in teaching and learning with other education staff members;
o 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 Hurricane’s intentional community, including following and Leading by example with campus policies and community expectations, welcoming visitors to the island and communicating about Hurricane’s mission and work, participating in community tasks including daily and weekly chores, performing other duties relating to the organization’s goals and mission as required.

Essential Functions:
• Demonstrates experience and enthusiasm for teaching and leading experiential programs for youth (preferably middle and high school age)
• 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
• Demonstrates initiative to identify or complete projects and serve independently or as part of a team with minimal supervision
• Ability to serve in a noisy, energetic environment while remaining welcoming to community members
• Ability and willingness to serve and live in a remote island community with rustic and off-the-grid accommodations where all staff share living and work space
• Interest and enthusiasm for collaborating with youth

Service Conditions:
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 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

Special Benefits

• Weekly living allowance of $400 (before taxes) for 12 weeks
• AmeriCorps Education Award of $1718.25
• Health insurance, if eligible
• 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

Minimum Requirements

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
• Skills, experience, and education requirements vary by site

Additional Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in science, education, environmental, multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary studies, or any related field
• 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 (climbing, boating, lifeguarding etc.), CPR, First Aid, 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