JOB OPENING

2024 Stewardship Summer Staff Position

with Presumpscot Regional Land Trust & Freeport Conservation Trust

The Presumpscot Regional Land Trust engages with communities to conserve and provide access to local lands and clean water for current and future generations to enjoy. The Land Trust is a community-based nonprofit primarily serving Gorham, Gray, Standish, Westbrook, and Windham. We provide 20 free public access preserves that include trails and water access. We run the water quality monitoring program for the Presumpscot River watershed, and we coordinate the Sebago to the Sea Trail, a 28-mile trail from Standish to Portland.

Freeport Conservation Trust is a local land trust dedicated to sharing Freeport’s special natural places, valued for recreation, wildlife habitat, clean water, farming, forestry and scenic beauty. Since 1977, our volunteers and staff have partnered with landowners, neighbors, local businesses, the Town of Freeport, and other groups to conserve and connect more than 1,850 acres of open space providing over 20 miles of public trails. From ridgelines to ravines and islands to woodlands, together, we’re preserving the places you love.

Summary: The Summer Program Intern will assist PRLT and FCT with activities that are part of their stewardship, outreach and organization development programs. This position is an opportunity to gain experience with a variety of tasks and projects in the conservation field while 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 stewardship, outreach and organization development.

  • Work with Stewardship staff learning best practices for trail maintenance in the field and advancing signage, maps, brochures and kiosks.

  • Gain hands-on experience with many facets of facilitating public events, including the popular annual Freeport Trail Challenge.

  • Develop database management and reporting skills.

  • Work with GPS data collection and basic ArcGIS mapping.

  • Exercise creative muscles by assisting the process of writing and designing content for a variety of platforms (print and digital media).

  • Acquire highly transferable skills in teamwork, communication and leadership.

  • Spend most of the summer working in the beautiful natural areas of Freeport and greater Portland Maine.

The primary work will involve:

  • Help facilitate the annual Freeport Trail Challenge event.

  • Helping to maintain and build public access trails on land trust conserved land

  • Opportunities to work on facets of stewardship projects and/or stewardship activities.

  • Create promotional materials, including posters, social media posts, website content for events and programs.

  • Assist as needed with operational tasks such as database management, filing, mailings, etc.

  • Assist land trust staff to plan public education and special events.

  • Supporting monitoring of conserved lands throughout the region

  • Assist as available with helping to carry out the Water Quality Monitoring Program in the Presumpscot River watershed, including lab testing and data entry

Requirements:

  • Must have a car to travel to local field work sites

  • Willingness to work with people of all ages and experiences

  • Ability to work independently, responsibly, and safely

  • Willingness and ability to perform strenuous physical labor

  • Experience with Excel and other data management systems 

  • Experience and/or interest in conducting lab tests

Helpful Background:

  • Experience communicating with the public

  • Environmental or ecological study or background knowledge

  • Experience using ArcGIS mapping software or Adobe InDesign software

Preferred Education:

  • Completion of High School program and some college. Applicants still in HS will be considered.

Hours: Up to 40 hours per week (20 hours with each organization) from mid-May to mid-September, with a flexible work schedule. The position could begin as early as mid-April and end as late as mid-October, depending on the successful applicant’s preference.

Compensation: $16-18 per hour. Summer staff person works with the Land Trusts’ Stewardship Managers. Application Deadline: March 1st. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three references. Email applications to info@prlt.org.

The Land Trust is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.