MCC is dedicated to accomplishing outdoor recreation and conservation projects for the public, promoting and managing volunteer opportunities, providing conservation education, building self-esteem and leadership, strengthening the future employability of members, while raising the aspirations of members and volunteers.
Field Team Leaders lead teams of 3-6 people to complete conservation projects throughout the state of Maine. Leaders assist with member training and development, help members improve technical and interpersonal skills, and are responsible for the crew’s overall service performance and safety during a project.
Location
54 Independence Dr.
Augusta, ME 04330
Training typically takes place in the Augusta area; field work is conducted throughout Maine.
Time Requirement
Training:
Full time, 40+ hours a week, Monday – Friday with weekends off (Month of April), 10 days (Monday – Wednesday), followed by 4 days off (Month of May). Overnights and weekends required.
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, weekends, and two mandatory Team Leader Meeting days required.
Duties
In the spring, Team Leaders will participate in leadership skills development, covering essential hard and soft skills, and will complete conservation projects as part of a team of Team Leader-trainees.
Once the field season starts, the Team Leader will provide direct leadership, mentorship, and teaching for an MCC field team during the summer and fall field seasons. You can expect to work on physically challenging conservation projects in any kind of weather, gaining hands on experience in the groundwork of stewardship. Each day you will return to camp after work to participate in community activities, including meal prep, water collection and treatment, followed by a family style dinner.
The Team Leader position requires mentorship, patience, technical aptitude, focus on efficiency, and a high level of comfort in the outdoors. Team Leaders are ultimately responsible for successes and short-comings of the team.
Maine Conservation Corps Team Leaders perform many roles, and are the key to our program’s success. The position is multi-faceted and demanding, but with the opportunity for enormous rewards.
Service Activities
Team Leaders are responsible for:
1. Conservation Project Management
• Ensure safety is the top priority during all MCC activities and projects; promote a ‘culture of safety’
• Ensure that the crew is adequately equipped and prepared for project work and working/living conditions, including working through inclement weather and working and living in backcountry settings
• Conduct pre-service visits to all project sites and collect information about the project, including developing an emergency response plan
• Serve as a primary caretaker of the MCC vehicle and observe all rules regarding safe transport of people and equipment
• Maintain a personal cell phone for communications with the office.
• Build new trails and rehabilitate existing trails, such as:
o Build bridges, wooden ladders, retaining walls, etc.
o Construct rock water bars, retaining walls, causeways, stone steps, etc.
o Clear trails (cut and haul brush, dig to mineral soil, pull stumps, etc.)
o Other tread way work (crush rock, haul gravel)
2. Crew Member Mentorship
• Educate members about and uphold the MCC code of conduct
• Guide, support, and assist team members to ensure quality work performance, safety, and team wellbeing
• Train members in all aspects of trail construction and rehabilitation.
• Participate in and lead job readiness training workshops
• Facilitate positive crew dynamics and crew member development
• Coordinate education events during each session per MCC program guidelines
• Live cooperatively with members during training and service sessions, and willingly perform joint living tasks, such as cooking and cleaning and maintaining hygiene
3. Documentation and Reporting
• Complete all paperwork in a thorough and timely manner, including submission of timesheets, session reports, mileage logs, and other forms required by the MCC
• Proactively communicate with field staff about crew dynamics
• Document crew member incidents and behaviors related to policy violations and disciplinary action
• Inform Program Coordinator of conduct issues in a timely manner
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, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Paid leadership training; $250 weekly, housing during training, professional trainings and certifications, living allowance ranging from $440-475 per week upon successfully attaining Team Leader status, health insurance, a wide range of training and networking opportunities, pro-deals, and a Maine State Park Pass
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, 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
Derive consensus, 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
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, 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, 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