Contact Name: Dena Doyon
Company/Organization/Agency: Maine Conservation Corps
Address: 54 Independence Dr, 124 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04330 United States
Email Address: corps.conservation@maine.gov
Contact Phone:
Job Title: Field Coordinator
Job Description: Location:
MCC Office: 54 Independence Drive, Augusta, ME 04330
Field work is conducted throughout Maine.
Time Requirement:
• March 1 – October 29, 2021 (35 Weeks)
• 40+ hours a week
• Monday-Friday during training and orientation weeks
• Four 10-hour days during the field season (standard schedule); overnights and some weekends required; flexibility required to meet the needs of Field Teams
General Description:
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.
Key Responsibilities:
• Assist with the recruitment, screening, interviewing, and selection of Members.
• Coordinate and lead training projects during Team Leader Training and Assistant Team Leader Training.
• Collaborate with Team Leaders and the Program Manager to facilitate a 4-day regional member orientation
• Provide support, training, and supervision to a region of MCC Field Teams (up to 4 teams)
• Assist leaders with project logistics including pre-service site visits, tool and gear sign-out, required paperwork, and effective time management to meet project goals.
• 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 & 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 task.
• 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
• 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 3 MCC Field Coordinators will be assigned 3-4 teams each to monitor and provide training and support. Assignments will be made based on skills and experience. The anticipated 2021 Field Team projects are as follows:
• Backcountry Stonework on the Appalachian Trail: up to 3 teams will focus on Appalachian Trail rehabilitation projects in the backcountry. These projects will involve carrying food, tools, and gear between 1 and 4 miles to a backcountry basecamp. Projects include construction of stone staircases, stepping stones, and other erosion control structures. The Field Coordinator assigned these teams must have previous backcountry leadership experience and stonework and rigging experience
• Traveling Stonework Team: This team will focus on stonework projects and other trail projects in both front and backcountry settings across Maine. The Field Coordinator assigned this team must have previous stonework and rigging experience. Previous backcountry leadership experience is preferred
• Accessible Trail Building on the Coast of Maine: One team will be tasked with rehabilitating a section of the Harpswell Cliff Trail, for all to enjoy. The team will be clearing, excavating, and resurfacing close to a ½ mile of trail to meet the Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines. Previous experience with equipment operation such as a tractor, loader, or mini excavator is preferred for a Field Coordinator assigned this team.
• Sustainable Community Trail Building: Up to 2 teams will travel to communities throughout Maine focusing on a variety of trail building and maintenance task including bridge construction and new trail construction as well as other conservation projects. The Field Coordinator assigned these teams must have previous chainsaw experiences. Previous carpentry experience is preferred
• Public Lands Maintenance Team: Up to 2 teams will focus on general maintenance of Maine’s public land units in both front country and backcountry settings. Projects include, corridor maintenance, blowdown removal, bog bridge construction, and more. The Field Coordinator assigned these teams must have previous chainsaw experiences.
• Mini-Team: MCC anticipates having one Mini Team consisting of 1 leader and 2 members focusing on a variety of trail and conservation projects including stonework, bridge construction, and general trail maintenance and construction. The Field Coordinator assigned this team must have previous chainsaw experience. Stonework experience is preferred
Working Conditions:
This position requires serving in adverse weather conditions, including cold, rain, heat and humidity, exposure to biting and stinging insects, hiking with all 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
• 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
• Serving on trails with steep or uneven terrain
• 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 hike 3-12 miles per day in rugged terrain, often carrying heavy gear and tools
• Ability to perform tasks as part of a cooperative team and independently
• Non-judgmental attitude, sensitivity to others, approachable
• Responsible and reliable
• Interest in personal growth and in participating in on-going 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
• Interest in serving with and mentoring a diverse group of people
• Willingness to follow and uphold heightened health and safety protocols due to COVID-19 during service sessions and during time off including restricted travel outside of Maine.
• 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)
• Two seasons of trail work experience in a leadership role with an AmeriCorps and/or Conservation Corps program
• Knowledge of sustainable trail layout and design
Preferred qualification:
• Experience with operation and maintence of power tools, chainsaws, and rigging equipment
• Experience with group facilitation and training
• Experience with GPS/GIS
• Experience working with or alongside heavy trail machinery such as a tractor, loader, or mini-excavator
Benefits:
• Stipend of $540-$600 per week based on number of years as Field Coordinator (less taxes)
• Health Insurance
• State Park Pass
• Pro deals
• Paid training (i.e. Chainsaw safety training, stonework and rigging training, AmeriCorps Conferences)
• A wide range of networking opportunities
To Apply: By January 11, 2021 Submit a MCC Application, and send a copy of your resume and cover letter to Corps.Conservation@maine.gov. You will be contacted with further instructions. You may direct questions to the same email above.
Job Start Date: 3/1/2021
Application Deadline: 1/11/2021
Additional Information: