Job Opportunities
Current Job Opportunities:
- Seasonal Land Steward
Frenchman Bay Conservancy Seasonal Land Steward
Dates of Employment: May 15- August 30 (flexible dates to fill 10-12 weeks)
Location: Office base in Hancock, ME, Fieldwork at FBC Preserves around eastern Hancock County
Organization Description: Frenchman Bay Conservancy (FBC) is a nationally accredited, non-profit, land conservation organization located in Hancock, Maine. Now in our 36th year of operation, we have protected over 13,000 acres through conservation easements and FBC-owned preserves in 12 towns and townships in Maine. Our conserved lands protect a broad variety of ecosystems and traditional land uses, including forest, wetlands, coastline, mountains, an organic farm, a working woodlot, blueberry fields, and waterfront along a wild and scenic river. Frenchman Bay Conservancy maintains more than 28 miles of year-round public access hiking trails for nature observation, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and hunting. We protect access for the public to enjoy scenic vistas, sandy beaches, rocky coastlines and mudflats for recreation and commercial access including clam and worm harvesting. Over just the past five years, FBC has increased preserve and easement acres by more than sixty percent and increased miles of trail by fifty percent. We are dedicated to providing public access to encourage people to develop a relationship with the outdoors.
Position Description: FBC seeks a Seasonal Stewards to join our team of seven staff to accomplish field projects at our Preserves that our Land Steward and dedicated team of Stewardship Volunteers focus on during the summer months. Expectations are that this individual will work well with others, conduct themselves professionally at all times, and assist with the advance preparation, and day-of work with volunteers. They will also work on trail projects individually and as a team with our Land Steward. The Seasonal Stewards will also be responsible for performing our annual property monitoring responsibilities. This position will be entirely field-based.
The Land Steward will have the following projects as their top priorities:
- Preserve Stewardship: Working under the guidance of FBC’s Land Steward, to layout and build new trails, as well as make improvements to our existing trail network. This will entail:
- traditional trail building methods using hand-tools only (besides a chainsaw),
- carpentry projects to make signage, kiosks, benches, and rustic timber structures on the trails,
- building and refining the tread surface (benchcut), clearing brush, removing trip hazards,
- installing rock features (rocks steps, stone cribbing, check dams)
- working with community volunteers during our weekly volunteer events
- and performing routine maintenance (weed-whacking, mowing, brushing back vegetation along trails and trailheads
- Annual Monitoring of FBC’s Preserves, consisting of walking property boundaries and produce annual monitoring reports for each property.
- Other duties as assigned.
Position Requirements:
- Local candidate preferred
- Valid Drivers’ License & Personal Vehicle for self-transportation between the Preserves & FBC Office
- Experience building hiking trails; these projects necessitate the ability to lift and carry at least 50lbs over uneven terrain, for up to 3 miles.
- Experience using hand tools
- Experience with rock work, use of griphoist and rigging equipment beneficial
- Experience with gas powered tools like a weed-whacker
- Comfort working outside in inclement weather (hot, cold, wet), must have appropriate rain gear, sturdy work/hiking boots.
Position Benefits: $15/hour, 40 hours a week (with housing) for a 10-12-week position. Mileage reimbursement at $0.58/mi.
For Inquiries and TO APPLY: Send cover letter, resume and three professional references (one academic reference is allowed) to Kayla Small, Operations & Development Assistant: kayla@frenchmanbay.org. No phone calls please. APPLICATION DUE APRIL 15, 2023.
DOWNLOAD POSITION DESCRIPTION HERE
