Field Coordinator (Field Team Program)

The mission of the Maine Conservation Corps (MCC) is to accomplish conservation projects that inspire individuals and enhance communities. As an AmeriCorps program MCC is dedicated to accomplishing conservation projects for the public, promoting and managing volunteer opportunities, providing education, and building self-esteem, leadership, and skill sets to strengthen the future opportunities of members.

Application Deadline: Monday, October 23, 2023

Location:

• MCC Office: 54 Independence Drive, Augusta, ME 04330
• Fieldwork is conducted throughout Maine.

Time Requirement:

• Jan. 15 – Nov. 22, 2024 (45 Weeks) or April 29 - Oct. 25, 2024 (26 Weeks)
• 40+ hours a week
• Monday-Friday during training and orientation weeks
• Flex schedule possible during the field season (e.g. four 10-hour days); overnights and some weekends required; flexibility required to meet the needs of MCC members

General Description:

The mission of the Maine Conservation Corps (MCC) is to accomplish conservation projects that inspire individuals and enhance communities.  As an AmeriCorps program MCC is dedicated to accomplishing outdoor recreation and conservation projects for the public, promoting and managing volunteer opportunities, providing education, and building self-esteem, leadership, and skill sets to strengthen the future opportunities of members.

The Field Coordinator will provide support and training to field teams as assigned by the Field Team Program Manager.  Field Teams are engaged in trail construction and maintenance and other conservation projects.  Members contribute their service, earn AmeriCorps education awards, and receive relevant job experience.  The Field Coordinator’s primary role is to provide field support, training, and leadership, monitor a portion of the field teams, assist with maintaining the vehicle fleet, tools, and equipment, and assist with office operations such as member recruitment and reporting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist with recruiting, screening, interviewing, and selecting AmeriCorps members.
• Coordinate and lead training projects during Team Leader Training and Assistant Team Leader Training.
• Collaborate with Team Leaders, Training Coordinator, and the Program Manager to facilitate a one-week member orientation
• Provide support, training, and supervision to a subset of MCC Field Teams (up to 3 teams)
• Assist leaders with project logistics including pre-service site visits, tool and gear sign-out, required paperwork, electronic reports, and effective time management to meet project goals.
• Help teams find ways to engage community volunteers on projects
• Help facilitate and maintain communications and coordination between the MCC office, partners, and teams.
• Train members in all aspects of trail construction and rehabilitation.
• Assist with maintenance and inventory of MCC leased vehicles, chainsaws, power equipment, rigging equipment, hand tools, safety gear, and camping equipment before, during, and after the field season.
• Help collect, monitor, and report on paperwork & and assignments from Field Teams including but not limited to evaluating Emergency Response Plans, monitoring daily project reports, reviewing and approving timesheets, and tracking the progress of multiple member surveys.
• Co-lead MCC teams with less experienced leaders until they become more competent at their assigned tasks.
• Assume a leadership role when a Team Leader unexpectedly leaves the program.
• Maintain a personal cell phone for communications with the office.
• Camp in tents and live cooperatively with members of the team during service sessions and training.
• Monitor residential sites or other lodging facilities leased for use by MCC members.
• Document incidents and behaviors related to policy violations.
• Follow and uphold all safety, and sanitation policies and procedures, including heightened COVID-19 protocols.

During training and the field season, MCC Field Coordinators will be assigned 2-3 teams each to monitor and provide training and support.  Assignments will be made based on skills and experience.  Beyond technical support, Field Coordinators will provide mentorship to leaders and members.  Teams are in the field 5 or 9 days at a time, and Field Coordinators should expect to be called upon during time off to problem-solve projects, mediate team dynamics, and respond to emergencies.

During the field season, Field Coordinators should expect to travel, camp, and serve with Field Teams on a weekly basis. Teams serve in frontcountry and backcountry or remote locations. 

Backcountry projects involve carrying food, tools, and gear between 1 and 4 miles to a backcountry base camp. Projects often involve the construction of stone staircases, stepping stones, and other erosion control structures.  Other backcountry projects have included the construction of trail reroutes or general trail maintenance and clearing with chainsaws and hand tools.

Recent backcountry project locations include:

• Appalachian Trail
• Tumbledown Mountain
• Deboullie Public Lands
• Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

Frontcountry projects involve car camping on-site or at a nearby campground.  Teams may be in remote locations without access to phone service.  Projects are diverse and may include stonework, new trail clearing, boardwalk and bridge construction, or other conservation projects such as manual invasive species removal.

Recent front-country project locations include:

• Camden Hills State Park
• Cobscook Shores
• Kennebec Highlands
• Portland Trails

Working Conditions:

This position requires serving in adverse weather conditions, including cold, rain, heat and humidity, exposure to biting and stinging insects, hiking with 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.

Essential Functions

• Have the desire to learn, serve others, and make a difference
• Interest in serving with and mentoring a diverse group of people
• Have the ability to live and perform strenuous work outdoors under challenging conditions
• Ability to travel and camp on a weekly basis
• Heavy lifting, bending, and carrying up to 50 pounds
• Ability to hike 3-12 miles per day in rugged terrain, often carrying heavy gear and tools
• 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 perform tasks as part of a cooperative team and independently
• Non-judgmental attitude, sensitivity to others, approachable
• Ability to create a culture of respect and inclusivity
• Responsible and reliable
• Interest in personal growth and in participating in ongoing training
• Must be able to work independently and be prepared to deal with difficult situations
• Ability to teach trail skills
• Possesses motivation and initiative 
• Excellent communication skills and organization skills
• High level of comfort in the outdoors
• Willingness to follow and uphold safety protocols
• Excellent work ethic

Qualifications: 

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Must be at least 21 years old
• Must submit to criminal history check
• Must be approved to drive State vehicles by the Risk Management Division (clean driving record)
• Minimum of 5 months of experience in a leadership role with a Conservation Corps or similar program
• Experience with the operation and maintenance of hand tools, power tools, chainsaws, and rigging equipment

Preferred qualification:

• Knowledge of sustainable trail layout and design
• Experience with group facilitation and training
• Experience with ArcGIS applications

Benefits:

• Stipend of $700-780 per week based on the number of years as a MCC Field Coordinator (less taxes)
• Health Insurance, including dental and vision
• Maine State Park Pass
• Prodeals – discounts on outdoor gear
• Paid training (i.e. Chainsaw safety training, AmeriCorps Conferences, WFA)
• Paid vacation and leave time
• A wide range of networking and professional development opportunities

To Apply: Submit an MCC Application and send a copy of your resume and a cover letter to  Corps.Conservation@maine.gov.  You will be contacted with further instructions.  You may direct questions to the same email above.