Summer Intern Positions - 2021

Work for KELT this summer!

Below are job postings for upcoming opportunities to gain experience in the land trust community. Deadlines and how to apply are described in each position description.

Questions? Contact info@kennebecestuary.org or call 207-442-8400.

Summer Program Steward

Job Title: Summer Program Steward

Hours: 40 hours per week for 10-12 weeks (approximately Late May through end of August)

Compensation: $14.00 per hour

Requires: Availability, use of reliable personal vehicle, and passing a background check in order to work with children

The Summer Program Steward will assist the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) with activities part of the land trust’s education, communication, administrative, development, and land protection programs. This position is an opportunity to gain experience on a variety of tasks and projects in the conservation field-- working with professionals, the public, volunteers, and a diversity of age groups.

Opportunities Provided by this Position:

Experience the structure and operation of a not-for-profit land trust, with a particular emphasis on education, outreach, and development.
Gain hands-on experience with many facets of facilitating public events, including a summer day camp for children 6-12 years old
Develop skills in database management and reporting
Exercise creative muscles by assisting to write and design content for a variety of platforms (print and digital media)
Have the opportunity to work with GPS data collection and basic ArcGIS mapping
Work outside to support field work on preserves, for community science programs, and at KELT’s LOCAL Garden (an educational garden in south Bath)
Spend most of the summer working in the beautiful natural areas of the Maine Coast

Responsibilities:

Help facilitate summer day camp activities during two week-long camp sessions for children 6-12 years old
Assist land trust staff to plan and staff public educational events as a part of KELT’s annual Summer Explorations Series
Help promote, organize and facilitate a summer celebration event
Create event publicity materials, including posters and social media posts as well as draft press releases
Assist as needed with operational tasks such as database management, filing, mailings, etc.

Supervision and Team Design:

The Summer Program Steward will work under the direction of the KELT’s Program Director.

Independent work may be required at times, and the Steward will have the opportunity at times to lead groups of volunteers. The Steward will frequently meet and communicate with visitors and/or volunteers at the office, events, or properties. Successful applicants will be expected to act professionally and communicate in a polite manner, both with the public and with fellow team members, as well as follow all applicable COVID-19 guidelines.

Necessary Skills:

Driver’s license and reliable personal transportation
Willingness to work in sometimes adverse conditions including heat, rain, biting insects, and difficult terrain
Willingness to work with people of all ages and experiences, especially kids
Availability for events outside of traditional work day hours on some evenings and weekends
Ability to work independently, responsibly, and safely
Pass a basic background check (in order to work with children)

Please share with us if you have any similar skills or experiences to those listed below:

First Aid Certification and/or Life Guard Certification
Experience working outdoors
Experience specifically working with children
Experience communicating with the public
Environmental or ecological study or background knowledge
Experience using ArcGIS mapping software or Adobe InDesign software

Preferred Education/Experience:

Completed High School program, plus some college and/or relevant work experience. Applicants still in HS may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

To Apply:

Send a cover letter and resume in a single PDF file to info@kennebecestuary.org with the subject line ‘Summer Program Steward’. Applicants may also mail the application to the KELT office to P.O. Box 1128, Bath ME, 04530.

Please prepare the names and contact information of two references. If an applicant is called to interview, KELT may request the list of references at that time.

Application Deadline: Monday, April 12, 2021

Summer Land Steward

Part of the Regional Field Team at the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, Brunswick Topsham Land Trust, & Phippsburg Land Trust

Job Title: Summer Land Steward

Hours: 40 hours per week for 10 weeks (June 7-August 13)

Compensation: $14.00 per hour

Requires: Availability and use of reliable personal vehicle

The Regional Field Team (RFT) is a collaboration between three organizations: Brunswick Topsham Land Trust (BTLT), Phippsburg Land Trust (PLT), and Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT). The Regional Field Team is seeking Summer Land Stewards for the 2021 field season.

This is an outdoor position helping to maintain, monitor, and manage the protected lands and trails of Maine’s southern midcoast region across thirteen communities. Projects will be conducted on lands protected by all three regional organizations, giving our Summer Land Stewards experience with a wide variety of properties, tasks, and land conservation professionals. This will be an excellent opportunity for networking and gaining land management experience.

Opportunities Provided by this Position:

Learn plant and animal identification skills, with a focus on invasive plant species
Experience the structure and operation of not-for-profit land trusts, with a particular emphasis on land management
Gain hands-on experience with the planning, construction, and maintenance of trails
Develop skills in observation and reporting
Have the opportunity to work with GPS data collection and basic ArcGIS mapping
Learn how read surveys and navigate the boundaries of properties with map, compass, and GPS
Spend most of the summer working in the beautiful natural areas of the Maine Coast

Responsibilities:

Conduct trail clearing and trimming with loppers, hand-saws, bow-saws, etc.
Occasional use of string trimmer or hedge-trimmer for trail clearing
Use of chainsaw possible, depending on skill level and project needs
Monitor preserve conditions and create detailed reports and maps of problem areas
Traverse property boundaries to maintain signage and check for encroachment
Assist with occasional clean-up of illicit dumping sites
Help to build bog bridges, stone steps, and other trail structures
Check and maintain kiosks, map boxes, trail signage, and paint blazing
Conduct mechanical control of invasive plants (i.e. cutting, digging, pulling)
Assist with any other suitable project, indoor or outdoor, as needed
Keep a log of activities and hours completed

Supervision and Team Design:

The Summer Land Steward will work closely with the Stewardship Staff and/or Board Members at each of the land trusts. This summer we are building a Regional Field Team of four Summer Land Stewards; two Land Stewards will be managed primarily from the BTLT office in Brunswick, ME and two Land Stewards will be managed from the KELT office in Bath, ME. There will be opportunities to work jointly as a four-person team as well as working independently at times. The Land Steward will also have the opportunity to work with and lead groups of volunteers. The Land Steward will frequently meet visitors on our properties. Successful applicants will be expected to act professionally and communicate in a polite manner, both with the public and with fellow team members, as well as follow all applicable COVID-19 guidelines.

Necessary Qualifications:

Driver’s license and reliable personal transportation
Ability to lift and carry equipment over rough ground
Willingness to work in sometimes adverse conditions including heat, rain, biting insects, and difficult terrain
Ability to use hand tools and power tools in the field
Ability to work, responsibly, safely, and at times independently
Enthusiasm for outdoor work and conservation

Please share with us if you have any similar skills or experiences to those listed below:

First Aid Certification
Experience working outdoors, particularly on trails
Experience communicating with the public
Map and compass (orienteering) skills
Environmental or ecological study or background knowledge

Preferred Education/Experience:

Completed High School program, plus some college and/or relevant work experience. Applicants still in HS may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

To Apply:

Send a cover letter and resume in one PDF to info@kennebecestuary.org with the subject line ‘Summer Land Steward’. Applicants may also send applications by mail to P.O. Box 1128, Bath ME, 04530.

Please prepare the names and contact information of two references. If an applicant is called to interview, KELT may request the list of references at that time.