We're excited to be a host site for a 900 Environmental Steward this year! The position will be from June - November and will primarily focus on land stewardship, volunteer management, trail maintenance, and outreach at Pleasant Mountain Preserve and the 10-mile trail network there. Additional stewardship projects at other properties, and some occasional office work will be required in addition to other opportunities depending on skill level and interest.

The objectives of the position will be to address maintenance issues on the trail network at Pleasant Mountain (guided by a formal assessment of the current infrastructure that will be available to the member), engage with volunteers and other LELT staff/contractors to accomplish land stewardship needs such as trail maintenance, installation of signage, and volunteer management and outreach.

For more information and to apply (by April 6th), visit: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/get_involved/conservation_corps/join/position.shtml?id=3987589

Host Site and Position Overview:

Loon Echo Land Trust (501c3 non-profit corporation) was formed in 1987 to protect land in the Northern Sebago Lake region of Maine. LELT currently protects over 8,000 acres of land and maintains a 32 mile trail system at iconic places such as Pleasant Mountain, Bald Pate Mountain, and Hacker’s Hill.

The position will primarily focus on land stewardship, volunteer management, trail maintenance, and outreach at Pleasant Mountain Preserve and the 10-mile trail network there. Day-to-day work will be largely independent but supervised by LELT staff. Additional stewardship projects at other properties, and some occasional office work will be provided in addition toother opportunities depending on skill level and interest.

The objectives of the position will be to address maintenance issues on the trail network at Pleasant Mountain and other LELT properties (guided by a formal assessment of the current infrastructure that will be available to the member), engage with and manage volunteers to assist in trail maintenance, and assist LELT staff/contractors to accomplish land stewardship needs such as trail maintenance, installation of signage, and volunteer management and outreach.

The ES will also encourage best behavior on the part of hikers by serving as an ambassador (especially during times of high hiker traffic), encourage volunteerism by local individuals and organizations, and educate the public about best practice for sustainable trail use and etiquette. The ES will discourage and mitigate misuse of these recreational areas by exemplifying and, when appropriate, teaching Leave No Trace principles. Candidates must demonstrate maturity, responsibility, initiative, self-motivation, and willingness to work in a remote area.

Description of Duties:

• Interact with and educate the public on safe trail use
• Ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision
• Interact with the public under stressful conditions, both weather conditions (bugs, heat, cold, rain etc.,) and dispositions of the public (argumentative, aggressive, hostile, apathetic)
• Maintain and develop volunteer engagement through partnerships to maintain trails and educate others on LNT principles.        
• Assist staff with monitoring of conserved lands and visitor use (i.e. parking lot car counts, maintaining records of trail use using the TRAFx system)
• Follow protocols set forward by MCC, Loon Echo Land Trust
• Conduct outreach and build partnerships through meetings, phone calls, emails and letters.
• Lead volunteer groups in projects
• Schedule volunteer projects
• Build and maintain trails
• Implement best practices for erosion control for trails
• Accomplish projects despite variable weather
• Organize multiple projects
• Track project details
• Analyze information for relevance and impact
• Meet project deadlines
• Drive vehicles and transport tools
• Maintain tools
• Perform outdoor labor in a safe manner
• Communicate with staff, volunteers and landowners

Essential Functions:

·        Excellent communication, education and organization skills

·        Ability to put others at ease, group leadership skills

·        Positive work ethic and sense of humor

·        Familiarity with mountain hiking trails

·        Willingness to assist on trail maintenance and construction projects related to trails and infrastructure

·        Willingness and physical ability to work on a variety of conservation projects, which will include using power and hand tools

·        Heavy lifting, bending, and carrying up to 50pounds

·        Walking across steep or uneven terrain

·        Serving in extremes of heat or cold, as well as being exposed to biting and stinging insects

·        Serving, living, 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

·        Demonstrated ability to serve individually while achieving measurable results

·        An ability to focus on the passion for conservation through outreach

·        Flexibility, problem solving, and creative thinking

·        Recruiting, retaining and collaborating with volunteers in a professional manner

Marginal Functions:

·        Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

·        GIS experience

·        Ecological knowledge of southern Maine environments

Service Conditions:

·        These sites do NOT have good cell service or reliable wifi

·        Service is performed primarily outdoors in all weather conditions and biting and stinging insects

·        Service includes some weekend shifts

·        Service involves some physical labor, and hiking with gear and tools over difficult terrain

·        Service involved an office environment with a computer, tablet, GPS tools

·        Service involves travel to nearby locations

·        Service involves frequent communication to multiple parties, and may include electronic, telephonic and/or in-person communication

Additional Qualifications:

·        Knowledge of LNT principles

·        Knowledge of safe hiking, backpacking, and camping practices

·        Sustainable trail-building skills at a Field Team Leader level

·        Experience operating chainsaws and other tools typically associated with trail maintenance

·        GPS/GIS experience

·        WFR/WFA preferred

·        Experience with outreach-comfortable building partnerships and reaching out to new volunteers to support education, trail building and land conservation through phone calls, emails, and letters

·        Strong verbal skills

·        Leadership aptitude

·        Comfort serving independently and as a member of a team, as well as engaging with the public

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