Environment 900 Hour Environmental Steward – Falmouth Land Trust
Job Description
Location: Falmouth, ME
Housing: Not provided
Days and Hours of Service: 40 hours per week may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Additional Training Provided: Chainsaw Safety Training
Host Site and Position Overview:
The Falmouth Land Trust is a nonprofit organization founded in 1981. The mission of the Falmouth Land Trust is to preserve and care for natural and agricultural lands in perpetuity, to enhance habitat for plants and wildlife, to advance the quality of life for all in our community, and to educate the public on the history and stewardship of protected lands.
We propose that the Environmental Steward will work closely with our Stewardship Manager to inventory Falmouth Trails with access in mind, evaluating them for grade, width, obstacles, etc. This will help FLT to then improve access for people with mobility challenges. The Environmental Steward will also assist with general stewardship tasks, including trail improvements, monitoring conservation easements, and fee lands, and working with stewardship volunteers on invasive plant removal and trail projects.
In addition to serving as a member of the overall stewardship team, the Environmental Steward will take the lead on a special project, comprehensive planning for access improvements on Falmouth Trails. The final products will be a trail inventory document and a trail system management plan focused on increasing trail access over time. This process will help us to document where existing bridges and other structures are and to create baseline documentation of the condition of these structures. The trails system access management plan will include:
1. A prioritized list of which trails on which properties should be addressed first to make them more accessible
2. Recommendations of steps needed to improve accessibility on the top priority trails
3. Recommendations of where a universal access trail of at least a mile in length could go in the future
Timeline:
Early June: Orientation with MCC, training from FLT on stewardship and trail access issues
Mid June-September: Trail inventory and general stewardship tasks
October-Mid November: Trail access management plan and general stewardship tasks
Description of Duties:
• Collaborate with and provide technical support to volunteers/local staff to accomplish monitoring objectives
• Transport field equipment, supplies, and program materials to volunteers as needed
• Conduct rigorous data collection on Falmouth’s recreational trail system, including cataloging environmental conditions and trail qualities (e.g. erosion, wet areas, grade, slope, corridor width, structures, safety issues, etc.) utilizing iPads, Survey 123, Motion X, clinometer, and other measurement tools
• Create an electronic database to track and enter trail assets and features
• Create an interactive map of property assets and features that will build upon existing GIS data
• Generate reports and recommendations for future planning and maintenance efforts
• Maintain detailed notes and logs of daily activities, conditions, and locations
• Maintain and organize a collection of photos as an inventory baseline
• Assist with trail maintenance activities
• Assist with invasive plant species remediation efforts and identification
Essential Functions:
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, electronically, and in writing.
• Capability to plan and organize tasks in an effective and efficient manner
• Must possess mobility to function in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer
• Ability to serve in the field including traversing uneven terrain, to operate a motor vehicle, and use of tools and equipment
Vision to inspect assigned areas, read printed materials, and a computer screen
• Walk and/or hike 10 miles or more per day to conduct assessments, often over rugged terrain with tools and gear
• Ability to bend, stoop, and kneel. Must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 35 pounds
• Ability to learn new computer applications as necessary
• Ability to serve independently for extended hours with little supervision
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Strong note-taking and organizational skills
• Ability to operate gas-powered landscape equipment
• Willingness and physical ability to complete a variety of conservation projects, which will include using power and hand tools
• Serving outdoors in extremes of heat or cold, as well as being exposed to biting and stinging insects
Marginal Functions:
• Familiarity with ArcGIS software preferred
• Excellent written communication skills
Service Conditions:
• This position will be split between office tasks (1/4 of the time) and outdoor field tasks (3/4 of the time), this will vary from week to week and be somewhat weather dependent
• The majority of these sites have good cell service
• Service is performed outdoors in all weather conditions and biting and stinging insects
• Service involves some physical labor, and hiking with gear and tools over difficult terrain
• Service involves travel to nearby locations
• Service involves frequent communication with multiple parties, and may include electronic, telephonic, and/or in-person communication
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 in natural resources/environmental science/biological science or related field (required)
• Some outdoors experience, for example, data collection, landscaping, outing club, etc. (required)
• Experience with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
• Previous Recreational Trail management experience preferred
• Ability to critically think and solve problems
• General ability to serve independently in the field and maintain equipment, as well as an affinity for leading activities and discussions with volunteers
Benefits:
• Weekly living allowance of $400 (before taxes) for 24 weeks
• AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,247.50
• 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
Website: www.Falmouthlandtrust.org
How to Apply
To Apply: Go to our website to complete an online application, and email a copy of your resume and a cover letter to corps.conservation@maine.gov. You will then be contacted with further instructions. If you have any questions, please direct those to the email above as well.93 total views, 2 today