Description
Description:
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.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the State agency responsible for protecting and restoring Maine's natural resources and enforcing the State's environmental laws. This position will serve with the Maine Healthy Beaches Program. The Maine Healthy Beaches Program provides the State's only quality-assured, unified structure for monitoring water quality and protecting public health at Maine's coastal beaches. This Program provides important training and support to Maine's citizens regarding water quality and public health/safety.
This Environmental Steward (ES) position will collaborate with Maine Healthy Beaches Program staff, coastal communities, and diverse partners to plan for and conduct volunteer water quality monitoring training for participating Maine coastal communities. The ES will participate in field and logistical support, equipment maintenance and distribution, data management, volunteer recruitment, community education and outreach assistance, and intensified monitoring studies to help communities find, fix, and prevent sources of bacterial pollution. The ES will be based out of the Southern Maine Regional Office in Portland.
The ES will support and enhance the MHB program, especially in areas of volunteer recruitment and management, water quality monitoring and assistance to local municipalities to improve water quality and protect public health, and education and outreach activities. This work will involve collaboration with diverse partners including local beach managers, municipalities, conservation commissions, state and local partners, etc. The ES will participate in field monitoring activities, volunteer management and training, volunteer recruitment, public education and outreach, data management (including quality
control protocols), laboratory analysis, and traveling to Maine’s beautiful coastal beaches.
Location:
Maine Healthy Beaches
312 Canco Rd.
Portland, ME 04103
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:
• Assist with updating monitoring schedules, site locations, and local communication plans
• Assist in planning annual regional beach manager meetings and monitor field training events in participating coastal Maine communities
• Maintain, inventory, and distribute field equipment, supplies, and program materials
• Train volunteer monitors to collect water quality samples at Maine coastal beaches
• Collaborate with and provide technical support to volunteers/local staff to accomplish monitoring objectives
• Follow protocols set forward by Maine Healthy Beaches Program and partner organizations
• Collect water quality samples
• Transport field equipment, supplies and program materials to volunteers and laboratories as needed
• Assist municipalities with volunteer recruitment activities as needed
• Conduct and support education/outreach initiatives
• Process samples in a laboratory setting following established protocols
• Communicate with program partners, municipalities, and the public
• Compile and analyze data
• Evaluate and quality control (QC) monitoring data
• Assist with implementation of a new program database
• Assist with organizing, reviewing and updating MHB program materials
• Assist with meeting reporting requirements to program partners and funding organizations
• Assist with program improvements including feedback from partners
• Partner with Maine Healthy Beaches Program Coordinator and other DEP staff to implement special studies projects
• Conduct bacteria source tracking monitoring for southern Maine special studies projects to identify pollution sources
• Research innovative volunteer recruitment methods and assist municipalities in building local capacity to secure and retain volunteers for future monitoring efforts
• Research, develop and promote effective volunteer engagement and appreciation strategies
• Participate in MCC and AmeriCorps orientations, trainings, events, and conferences
• Assist with pre-approved and allowable fundraising activities
• Engage in volunteer management activities including:
o Recruiting volunteers
o Promoting and leading volunteer events
o Collecting and submitting Volunteer Assignment Agreements to MCC
o 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:
• Ability to communicate over the phone, via email in person and in writing with diverse audiences
• Ability to coordinate and facilitate meetings and trainings
• Ability to collaborate with municipalities, volunteers, and program partners
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, Excel, Word, PowerPoint
• Ability to collect and enter data into various databases
• Ability to synthesize data and generate reports
• Experience developing outreach materials
• Ability to learn new computer applications as necessary
• Ability to drive a vehicle and distribute equipment (coolers, kits, waders, signs etc.)
• 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:
• Ability to manipulate data in Excel
• Ability to develop outreach materials
Service Conditions:
• Service is performed outdoors and indoors. During the beach monitoring season from late May through September service is performed primarily outdoors.
• Service involves teaching established protocols and conducting sampling outdoors in all (safe) weather conditions during field season.
• Outdoor service includes training and monitoring at coastal beaches as well as potentially rivers/streams.
• Service includes traversing uneven terrain, sometimes over slippery rocks and through sand
• Service involves travel to other locations within the state (predominantly along southern coastal Maine).
• Service includes distributing sampling equipment including large coolers, kits, waders, signs, etc.
• Service is performed independently and as part of a team.
• Service includes interaction with a wide variety of program partners and the public.
• Service involves managing time effectively and completing tasks with attention to detail.
• Service will require the ability to self-motivate, serve independently and collaboratively.
Description:
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.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the State agency responsible for protecting and restoring Maine's natural resources and enforcing the State's environmental laws. This position will serve with the Maine Healthy Beaches Program. The Maine Healthy Beaches Program provides the State's only quality-assured, unified structure for monitoring water quality and protecting public health at Maine's coastal beaches. This Program provides important training and support to Maine's citizens regarding water quality and public health/safety.
This Environmental Steward (ES) position will collaborate with Maine Healthy Beaches Program staff, coastal communities, and diverse partners to plan for and conduct volunteer water quality monitoring training for participating Maine coastal communities. The ES will participate in field and logistical support, equipment maintenance and distribution, data management, volunteer recruitment, community education and outreach assistance, and intensified monitoring studies to help communities find, fix, and prevent sources of bacterial pollution. The ES will be based out of the Southern Maine Regional Office in Portland.
The ES will support and enhance the MHB program, especially in areas of volunteer recruitment and management, water quality monitoring and assistance to local municipalities to improve water quality and protect public health, and education and outreach activities. This work will involve collaboration with diverse partners including local beach managers, municipalities, conservation commissions, state and local partners, etc. The ES will participate in field monitoring activities, volunteer management and training, volunteer recruitment, public education and outreach, data management (including quality
control protocols), laboratory analysis, and traveling to Maine’s beautiful coastal beaches.
Location:
Maine Healthy Beaches
312 Canco Rd.
Portland, ME 04103
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:
• Assist with updating monitoring schedules, site locations, and local communication plans
• Assist in planning annual regional beach manager meetings and monitor field training events in participating coastal Maine communities
• Maintain, inventory, and distribute field equipment, supplies, and program materials
• Train volunteer monitors to collect water quality samples at Maine coastal beaches
• Collaborate with and provide technical support to volunteers/local staff to accomplish monitoring objectives
• Follow protocols set forward by Maine Healthy Beaches Program and partner organizations
• Collect water quality samples
• Transport field equipment, supplies and program materials to volunteers and laboratories as needed
• Assist municipalities with volunteer recruitment activities as needed
• Conduct and support education/outreach initiatives
• Process samples in a laboratory setting following established protocols
• Communicate with program partners, municipalities, and the public
• Compile and analyze data
• Evaluate and quality control (QC) monitoring data
• Assist with implementation of a new program database
• Assist with organizing, reviewing and updating MHB program materials
• Assist with meeting reporting requirements to program partners and funding organizations
• Assist with program improvements including feedback from partners
• Partner with Maine Healthy Beaches Program Coordinator and other DEP staff to implement special studies projects
• Conduct bacteria source tracking monitoring for southern Maine special studies projects to identify pollution sources
• Research innovative volunteer recruitment methods and assist municipalities in building local capacity to secure and retain volunteers for future monitoring efforts
• Research, develop and promote effective volunteer engagement and appreciation strategies
• Participate in MCC and AmeriCorps orientations, trainings, events, and conferences
• Assist with pre-approved and allowable fundraising activities
• Engage in volunteer management activities including:
o Recruiting volunteers
o Promoting and leading volunteer events
o Collecting and submitting Volunteer Assignment Agreements to MCC
o 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:
• Ability to communicate over the phone, via email in person and in writing with diverse audiences
• Ability to coordinate and facilitate meetings and trainings
• Ability to collaborate with municipalities, volunteers, and program partners
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, Excel, Word, PowerPoint
• Ability to collect and enter data into various databases
• Ability to synthesize data and generate reports
• Experience developing outreach materials
• Ability to learn new computer applications as necessary
• Ability to drive a vehicle and distribute equipment (coolers, kits, waders, signs etc.)
• 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:
• Ability to manipulate data in Excel
• Ability to develop outreach materials
Service Conditions:
• Service is performed outdoors and indoors. During the beach monitoring season from late May through September service is performed primarily outdoors.
• Service involves teaching established protocols and conducting sampling outdoors in all (safe) weather conditions during field season.
• Outdoor service includes training and monitoring at coastal beaches as well as potentially rivers/streams.
• Service includes traversing uneven terrain, sometimes over slippery rocks and through sand
• Service involves travel to other locations within the state (predominantly along southern coastal Maine).
• Service includes distributing sampling equipment including large coolers, kits, waders, signs, etc.
• Service is performed independently and as part of a team.
• Service includes interaction with a wide variety of program partners and the public.
• Service involves managing time effectively and completing tasks with attention to detail.
• Service will require the ability to self-motivate, serve independently and collaboratively.
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Living Allowance
$1920
-
$2400 monthly
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Additional 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
• There is no housing or housing benefit associated with this position
Education Benefits
College Degree
Education Requirements
Some Graduate Study
Desired Certifications or 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
• Excellent communication skills and comfortable interacting with the public (required).
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to learn new things quickly (required).
• Willingness and ability to teach established protocols and conduct sampling outdoors in all weather conditions during field season (required).
• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, or related field
• Experience collecting water quality data or conducting other field assessments
• Experience with data management and quality assurance/quality control
• Intermediate computer skills especially with Excel (experience with GIS is helpful)
• Self-motivated and flexible individual willing to help in many different situations
• Willingness to serve some early mornings, evenings, and weekends
Desired Languages
English
Other Conditions
Car recommended
Uniforms provided and required
Subject to criminal background check
Age Requirement
18 - 99