Island Institute’s Fellows Program places college (associate degree or higher) graduates in Maine’s coastal and year-round island communities to live and work for two years. Fellowships are an opportunity for recent graduates to apply their skills and gain real-life, place-based experience helping build sustainability within communities whose way of life and identity face challenge and opportunity. Island Institute Fellows work directly with a host organization on a priority project identified by the community, while contributing their own interests and passions to the community they live in. The cohort of Island Institute Fellows take part in various professional experiences designed to build communication, facilitation, and leadership skills.
Service Activities
Island Institute’s Fellows Program supports Maine’s coastal and island communities by:
Strengthening capacity for local planning and management of historical, climate, economic, and information resources.
Providing technical assistance in implementing local research, planning, education, and communication projects.
Community Need Addressed
The Island Institute Fellow works on a community identified project through a local nonprofit organization. The Fellow uses their skills and training to amass resources: Human, physical, and financial, to move a project forward.
Position Outcomes
Local, island-based nonprofits have increased resiliency to meet social and environmental challenges and to contribute to vibrant year-round island communities.
Benefits
Health coverage, Housing, Stipend, Training
Housing, utilities, and internet provided & paid for by Island Institute.
An Island Institute issued laptop for work during the 2-year fellowship.
$14.15/hour wage; 35-hour work week.
13 paid holidays.
Four weeks of paid time off (vacation, sick, & personal time off).
Professional development retreats & workshops.
Professional development stipend.
Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Disability & 403b retirement benefits available.
Education Benefits
College Degree
Skills you will gain
Project management, facilitation, public speaking, volunteer management.
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment