Start/End Dates
Trail Training Period: May 4th – June 12th 2020
Member Orientation and Field Season: June 15th – October 16th 2020
Live, serve, and explore Maine’s wilderness, coast and mountains with Maine Conservation Corps (MCC). Get paid for 6 weeks of leadership and technical skills training and then practice those skills while serving and supporting a team leader in managing a crew to enhance hiking, biking, skiing, and other types of recreational trails throughout the state. Gain training and experience in leadership while learning how to highline a 500-pound boulder to construct a stone staircase, build timber structures, or open access to treasured natural areas. You’ll make a difference in the lives of your team and local communities, while connecting to nature, peers and yourself. Build a path, while finding yours.
Location
54 Independence Dr.
Augusta, ME 04330
Training typically takes place in the Augusta area; field work is conducted throughout Maine.
Time Requirement
Assistant Field Team Leaders are 900 Hour AmeriCorps members, with an end date of October 16th.
Field Season:
Full time, 40 hours a week, 7:00am – 4:30pm, for 9 days (Monday – Tuesday), followed by 5 days off OR Monday – Friday with weekends off. It is typical to have a mixed schedule, and each team has a unique project and travel schedule. Overnights and weekends required.
General Description:
The first 6 weeks of training will cover essential hard and soft skills of Field Team leadership. Members will complete conservation projects as part of a team of fellow Assistant Team Leader - trainees. The following topics will be covered:
chainsaw safety training, rigging training, sustainable trail building, building with stone, backcountry camping skills, Leave No Trace Ethics, tread construction, project management, invasive plant identification, job readiness training
You can expect to work on physically challenging conservation projects gaining hands on experience in the groundwork of stewardship. MCC Assistant Team Leaders provide logistical and technical support and play a key role in team cohesion. The ATL position requires a desire to grow as a leader, a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, the ability to live and serve collaboratively in a team setting, and the physical ability to carry out the essential functions of the position. The position is multi-faceted with many opportunities for growth as a leader and conservationist.
Service Activities
Essential Functions
• Have the desire to learn, serve others, and make a difference
• Willingness and physical ability to serve on a variety of conservation projects, which will include using power and hand tools
• Desire to grow as a leader
• Ability to self-motivate, take initiative, and act cooperatively in a group
• Heavy lifting, bending, and carrying up to 50 pounds
• Serving on trails across steep or uneven terrain
• Serving in extremes of heat or cold, as well as being exposed to biting and stinging insects
• Serving, 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
• Ability to perform tasks as part of a cooperative team
• Non-judgmental attitude, sensitivity to others, approachable
• Responsible and reliable
• Interest in personal growth and in participating in on-going training
Marginal Functions
• The ability to operate an MCC vehicle to transport members and gear to and from project sites
Service Conditions
This position requires serving in adverse weather conditions, including cold, rain, hot, and humidity, exposure to biting and stinging insects, hiking with all tools and gear over difficult terrain, and sleeping in tents. This position should be viewed not as a traditional job, but as an experience where long hours and extended time away from home, often in remote locations, are to be expected.
Community Need Addressed
Maine is a mecca for outdoor recreation and exploration. Yet, Maine's trail systems face environmental degradation and erosion from human and natural causes. According to a recent field study, over 95% of northern New England trails experienced significant soil erosion. This trail degradation impacts water quality, user safety, and ecological stability
Position Outcomes
The MCC creates and restores an average of 100 miles of trail annually, more than any other trail organization in Maine.
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Assistant Team Leaders are 900 hour AmeriCorps members who will receive a weekly living stipend of $287.85 (less taxes). Other benefits include a wide range of training and networking opportunities, housing during training, pro-deals, a Maine State Park Pass, and an education award of $3,047.50. Some members may also be eligible for student loan deferment and childcare reimbursement
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, 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, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, 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
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
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, 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, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, 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