Environment 900 Hour Environmental Steward – DMR Maine State Aquarium
Job Description
Location: West Boothbay, ME
Housing: Partially provided, island-based, and alternatives during the off-season. Details available if selected for an interview.
Days and Hours of Service: 40-hour week, typically Monday-Friday, with occasional weekends and occasional overnights.
Additional Training Provided: Chainsaw Safety Training
Host Site and Position Overview:
The Education Division is part of the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Its mission is to develop a citizenry that has awareness and appreciation for the Gulf of Maine ecosystem, DMR research, and regional resources. It provides educational services and programs to a wide variety of audiences and manages three facilities – the Maine State Aquarium, Discovery Center (a learning center), and Burnt Island with Education Center.
Burnt Island with its historic lighthouse and education center is owned and maintained by DMR. It is open to the public May— October, and available for public events, field trips, camps, teacher trainings, living history tours, etc. Burnt Island is being integrated into the mission and vision of the Education Division of DMR as an agency. This vision is to bring placed based, interdisciplinary learning to students, teachers, and the general public. The environmental steward will collaborate with the Education Director to evaluate how to do so, develop plans to make this marine science and maritime resource available and accessible, and accomplish conservation and land management on Burnt Island for the 2023 season.
The purpose of this ES position is to conduct an overview of DMR’s current Burnt Island programming, evaluate their effectiveness, investigate the feasibility of new projects in conjunction with DMR staff and partners, develop new programs and a volunteer base, and be an Island caretaker June-September. The position would integrate DMR’s individual projects into a larger, coordinated initiative for audiences, including audiences we are not currently connecting with. The position would provide the infrastructure/system to offer new programming and would manage the Island resources when open to the public and groups.
General timeline:
• June-September
o Orientation to DMR and the Education Division, including facilities
o Introduction and relationship building with DMR staff
o Review of existing projects and partners
o Implement programming for various audiences
o Training with ES (1700 hr)
• October-November
o End of Season tasks
o Evaluate season operations and programs
Description of Duties:
• Engage in orientation to DMR and the Education Division,– review mission and vision of Education Division and current programming, meet DMR staff, establish relationships with DMR staff connected to project
• Establish connections with possible partners for new programs
• Develop outreach materials for the project – written, potential exhibit signage, and website. Materials include educational information, advertising, promotion, etc.
• Design and present brief, informative talks within Maine State Aquarium for various audiences about the project
• Advertise and promote new programs
• Recruit and train volunteers
• Evaluate programming
• Make recommendations for next season
• Assessing, completing land management and visitor experience-related tasks, and reporting out on Island Operations– including buildings and grounds, trail maintenance, docks, beach area, etc.
• Collaborate with volunteers and DMR staff.
Essential Functions:
• General understanding of biology/marine science/environmental education, or some combination thereof. This can include relevant college-level coursework and/or degree and/or work (paid or unpaid) experience in a relevant setting
• Ability to communicate effectively electronically, telephonically, and in person
• Research skills – online, interviews, articles/journals, etc
• Capability to plan and organize tasks in an effective and efficient manner
• Ability and willingness to serve in a remote field setting
• Ability to learn new computer applications as necessary
• Working knowledge of the fundamentals of social media and experience maintaining social media platforms
• Demonstration of ability to give positive public presentations through relevant public speaking experience, particularly to diverse audience groups
• Represent MSA and DMR (a state agency) with a commitment to high standards and job quality
• Serving outdoors as necessary, on docks/piers, in hot conditions, hiking on uneven terrain, exposure to bugs
• Convene meetings with staff, partners, and the public to review findings, etc.
• Present data relevant information to partners, stakeholders, and the public
• If staying in housing on Burnt Island, the ability to travel by boat to housing, and on a fixed schedule
• Ability to walk on uneven terrain, docks, dock ramps, etc
• Ability to pass online boat course, participate in First Aid/CPR training
• Ability to operate a small single-engine boat
Marginal Functions:
• Assist periodically as needed with the care of aquarium species and maintenance of their exhibit and/or holding areas if the ES is interested in learning about these tasks
• Assist periodically as needed with the educational offerings and programming related to the Gulf of Maine ecosystem, DMR research, and exhibit areas
Service Conditions:
Burnt Island is a five-acre island in Boothbay Harbor. Terrain can be uneven. The dock can be uneven, rocky, and slippery. The rooms are not air-conditioned. The weather can be hot and humid. There are bugs. Supplies must be delivered by boat. Weather conditions determine when travel to and from the Island is possible. Attention must be paid to rain, storms, lightning, fog, currents, winds, etc. Boat travel after dark is discouraged. Currently, there is no Internet on Burnt Island but provisions are being made.
• Service occurs in all weather conditions (hot, cold, wet, buggy) and can be physically demanding.
• Service involves wading/accomplishing projects along the rocky and slippery coast of Maine, with unstable footing, and during periods of inclement weather or high temperatures.
• Service includes leading and training volunteers, occasionally during weekday evenings.
• Service includes traversing uneven terrain.
• Service requires the safe operation of a motor boat, potential trailering, and driving
• 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, and serve independently and collaboratively.
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:
• Ability to serve professionally individually and in a team, and as a representative of the Department of Marine Resources (required)
• Marine Biology coursework and/or experience; good written and oral skills, especially with scientific/technical communication (required)
• Comfortable in the field (on the island) settings with a willingness to learn small boat handling(required)
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: https://www.maine.gov/dmr/programs/education-division/maine-state-aquarium
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.131 total views, 1 today