APPLICATION CLOSE DATE:  March 29th, 2019

Southern Maine Conservation Collaborative 2019 Summer Associate Program

The Southern Maine Conservation Collaborative (SMCC) is a non-profit membership-based service center with the mission to accelerate conservation work in Southern Maine by providing technical and administrative support, and expanding meaningful partnerships. SMCC membership includes 19 conservation organizations in Southern Maine. To learn more please explore our website www.momentumconservation.org.

Our conservation work includes caring for our land and water, ensuring access to open and public spaces, developing places for outdoor recreation, supporting agricultural land protection, and connecting people to these special places for their health, enjoyment, and inspiration.

SMCC is committed to building a more inclusive and equitable conservation movement in Maine. Our organization is in a learning phase of how we can lean into the intersection of conservation and social equity, and we are committed to weaving this intersection through all of our work. We are continuously learning about our blind spots and unconscious biases. We know that biases and disparities disproportionately burden communities of color, indigenous communities, people with physical and mental disabilities, and low-income communities with legacies of environmental damage and ongoing harm. It is our duty to ensure that our work does not propagate destructive, damaging practices, and instead is addressing barriers and fixing inequitable systems.

Job Description:

This summer, SMCC will hire two summer associates to attend to a variety of projects. These projects may include:

  • Providing technical assistance to land trusts and other conservation organizations on specific projects ranging from social media, map making, natural resource inventories, and more;
  • Coordinating a new partnership designed to amplify diverse youth perspectives on place; possible collaborators include the Portland Gear Hub, the Telling Room, and Maine’s Environmental Changemaker Network;
  • Supporting tasks as needed related to the ongoing work of the Southern Maine Conservation Collaborative, which might include social media, writing, research, administration, and more.

The position is paid ($15 per hour) and will average 20 hours a week for 10 weeks between June – August (for a total of 200 hours.) The schedule is flexible recognizing the need for additional jobs and the realistic nature of projects. The position is based out of the office in Portland, although once responsibilities are clear and the relationship has been established, there is flexibility for the Summer Associates to work from a different location. Position will include travel primarily in Southern Maine (Federal rate reimbursable if work travel is conducting in personal vehicle). It is not required that you have your own car or computer. We are committed to supporting your learning and training in skills development and experience and will provide funding towards these development opportunities.

Responsibilities may include:

  • Provide support for land stewardship activities that may include map making, trail and property maintenance, baseline data collection, natural resource inventory data collection and reporting, signage, resolution of access issues, annual monitoring
  • Assist with coordination of volunteers, special events or projects such as property clean-ups, invasive plant species removal or educational events
  • Assist in developing, updating, increasing and maintaining an organization’s social media presence. This could include monitoring, posting, scheduling and reporting
  • Assist with research, special projects, and as needed ongoing administrative support
  • Engage with different organizations to find common ground and co-develop shared projects
  • Participate and/or facilitate conversations across differences.

Additional support for training, skill-building, and guidance will be provided.

Requirements:

  • An enthusiasm and commitment to conservation and a passion for building a more inclusive and open conservation movement in Maine
  • Be between the ages of 18 – 30 and living and working in Southern Maine this summer
  • Ability to co-create and lead a collaborative project while also being flexible and open to emergence
  • Independent, self-directed worker and ability to work closely with people from diverse backgrounds and foster collaboration
  • Flexibility and comfort with working on multiple tasks

 Apply By March 29th, 2019

Please send your resume, list of 2 references, and a cover letter to Jessica Burton at conservationcollaborative@gmail.com that contains the following:

  • Why do you feel that you are a strong candidate for this position?
  • How do you hope this experience will serve you, your work, and your community?
  • What specific part of this position description resonates most closely with your life experience and/or your vision for the future?

SMCC reserves the right to conduct background checks as a condition for employment.

Southern Maine Conservation Collaborative is an Equal Opportunity Employer.