Description
Do you have a background in forestry and want to gain practical experience in the field? The Community Tree Steward (CTS) program offers opportunities for individuals to lead resiliency projects that engage residents in underserved communities.
Initiatives are developed based on local needs and may include:
• Completing a Street Tree Inventory, including documenting and mapping trees
• Developing a strategic plan for a community forest program
• Collaborating with a licensed forester to develop or revise a forest management plan
• Developing and implementing a forest pest response plan
• Planting and maintaining trees
Live, learn, and explore Maine’s conservation pockets with the Maine Conservation Corps (MCC). As a Community Tree Steward (CTS), you will connect with a community to better understand their aspirations for tree health and make them a reality. During orientation and throughout the term, you will earn certifications, engage in educational opportunities, and attend conferences that will advance your conservation career. Gain experience and an adventure while making a difference.
Location: South Paris, ME
Housing: Not provided, member is responsible for finding and paying for their own housing
Days and Hours of Service: 40 hours per week: may include evenings, weekends and holidays.
Additional Training Provided: Chainsaw Safety Training, Mental Health First Aid, Wilderness First Responder
Host Site and Position Overview:
Oxford County SWCD provides technical assistance, outreach and education about many natural resource conservation areas and topics. We are an independent agency of the State of Maine, funded in part by the State and Oxford County. The mission of the Oxford County Soil & Water Conservation District is to provide leadership, education and technical assistance in the management and conservation of agricultural and natural resources by integrating and disseminating local, state and federal resources.
The CTS will be an integral member of the Oxford County SWCD team in implementing and promoting all of the District’s Forestry Conservation activities, with special emphasis on the Agroforestry and Climate Change Resiliency Demonstration Project. The goal of the project is to help the forestland owners, students and the general public understand the role healthy and diverse forests play in battling Climate Change. The objective is to promote forest health through by helping demonstrate new forest conservation practices related to agroforestry, timber stand improvement, soil health and Invasive Forest Pest Management. The CTS’s activities will help us achieve the goals and objectives of this project by engaging the community and students, promoting the objectives of the project and providing outreach and education opportunities throughout the Oxford County Community.
Overall Goal: The CTS will assist the Oxford County SWCD in implementation, educational programming, outreach, and promotion of its Forestry Conservation programming including project work at Tenmile River Demonstration Forest, the Native Plant Sale, and Invasive Forest Pest technical assistance. Below are some of the required duties.
• Assist the District to implement and promote the Agroforestry and Climate Resiliency Demonstration project, involving site prep and plantings, and timber stand improvement. Objective: Complete at least 6 demonstration plot areas.
• Engage the community schools in some activities related to the project, particularly promoting school field trips to the site to help with plantings, tree ID and native plant community exploration, and alternative forest product educational activities. Objective: Complete 2 student activities or tours.
• Provide Invasive Forest Pest technical assistance. Objective: 4 Technical Assistance visits to landowners in disadvantaged towns in Oxford.
• Assist with the Native Conservation Plant Sale. Objectives: 1) Help pick up plant stock, sort orders, and provide assistance on pick-up day. 2) Answer questions and providing planting advice if needed. 3) Develop a handout on the importance and benefits of Native Plants.
• Education & Outreach on the Agroforestry and Climate Resiliency Project. Objective: Conduct 4 Education and Outreach activities for landowners related to the Agroforestry project, Climate Change Resiliency, IFP, or Native Plants.
Service Conditions:
• Service involves frequent communication with multiple parties, and may include electronic, telephonic, and/or in-person communication
• Service conditions vary by site, but all CTSs should expect a portion of service to be outdoors, and a portion spent connecting with the community to engage them in stewardship and education
Qualifications:
• Forestry degree, or equivalent experience in the forestry and natural resource conservation field
• High School diploma or equivalent
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must be a US Citizen or permanent resident
• Must agree to a criminal history check
• All positions at State sites require a valid driver’s license with a good 5-year driving record
• Passion for community service and the environment
• Commitment to complete the full term of service
• Skills, experience, and education requirements vary by site
Orientation and Training Topics:
Members will participate in up to five orientation and training days, typical topics include: Intro to AmeriCorps, Prohibited Program Activities, MCC, Host Sites and You, OnCorps reporting, Portfolio Development, Professional Communication, National Incident Management Systems, Leave No Trace, Intro to Trails, Tool Safety, Use and Maintenance, Interpretive Programs. Initial orientation and training will likely include some virtual aspects in 2024.
The Host Site and/or Maine Forestry Service will provide additional forestry-based training to accomplish specific projects as they relate to grant outcomes and organizational needs.
Members will receive FEMA Training FEMA IS-700B for the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and FEMA IS-244B for Developing and Managing Volunteers.
Job readiness training will also be provided, such as resume writing, job search components, appropriate workplace behaviors, and interview skills. Some topics are explicit lessons, and some will be learned throughout the term of service.
Job readiness training, such as resume writing, job search components, appropriate workplace behaviors, and interview skills will be taught throughout the term of service. Additional training may be provided by the Host Site.
Volunteer Engagement
The Community Tree Steward will utilize the Essential Volunteer Management Practices to improve the site’s volunteer program.
The MCC CTS will also recruit and promote volunteer opportunities from the local community, businesses, and social organizations to accomplish trail projects. The MCC will assist members in identifying potential outreach opportunities, best approaches, and promotion of events to increase volunteerism at the Host Site by using the Essential Volunteer Management Practices. The CTS will improve the sustainability of the overall volunteer program.
Do you have a background in forestry and want to gain practical experience in the field? The Community Tree Steward (CTS) program offers opportunities for individuals to lead resiliency projects that engage residents in underserved communities.
Initiatives are developed based on local needs and may include:
• Completing a Street Tree Inventory, including documenting and mapping trees
• Developing a strategic plan for a community forest program
• Collaborating with a licensed forester to develop or revise a forest management plan
• Developing and implementing a forest pest response plan
• Planting and maintaining trees
Live, learn, and explore Maine’s conservation pockets with the Maine Conservation Corps (MCC). As a Community Tree Steward (CTS), you will connect with a community to better understand their aspirations for tree health and make them a reality. During orientation and throughout the term, you will earn certifications, engage in educational opportunities, and attend conferences that will advance your conservation career. Gain experience and an adventure while making a difference.
Location: South Paris, ME
Housing: Not provided, member is responsible for finding and paying for their own housing
Days and Hours of Service: 40 hours per week: may include evenings, weekends and holidays.
Additional Training Provided: Chainsaw Safety Training, Mental Health First Aid, Wilderness First Responder
Host Site and Position Overview:
Oxford County SWCD provides technical assistance, outreach and education about many natural resource conservation areas and topics. We are an independent agency of the State of Maine, funded in part by the State and Oxford County. The mission of the Oxford County Soil & Water Conservation District is to provide leadership, education and technical assistance in the management and conservation of agricultural and natural resources by integrating and disseminating local, state and federal resources.
The CTS will be an integral member of the Oxford County SWCD team in implementing and promoting all of the District’s Forestry Conservation activities, with special emphasis on the Agroforestry and Climate Change Resiliency Demonstration Project. The goal of the project is to help the forestland owners, students and the general public understand the role healthy and diverse forests play in battling Climate Change. The objective is to promote forest health through by helping demonstrate new forest conservation practices related to agroforestry, timber stand improvement, soil health and Invasive Forest Pest Management. The CTS’s activities will help us achieve the goals and objectives of this project by engaging the community and students, promoting the objectives of the project and providing outreach and education opportunities throughout the Oxford County Community.
Overall Goal: The CTS will assist the Oxford County SWCD in implementation, educational programming, outreach, and promotion of its Forestry Conservation programming including project work at Tenmile River Demonstration Forest, the Native Plant Sale, and Invasive Forest Pest technical assistance. Below are some of the required duties.
• Assist the District to implement and promote the Agroforestry and Climate Resiliency Demonstration project, involving site prep and plantings, and timber stand improvement. Objective: Complete at least 6 demonstration plot areas.
• Engage the community schools in some activities related to the project, particularly promoting school field trips to the site to help with plantings, tree ID and native plant community exploration, and alternative forest product educational activities. Objective: Complete 2 student activities or tours.
• Provide Invasive Forest Pest technical assistance. Objective: 4 Technical Assistance visits to landowners in disadvantaged towns in Oxford.
• Assist with the Native Conservation Plant Sale. Objectives: 1) Help pick up plant stock, sort orders, and provide assistance on pick-up day. 2) Answer questions and providing planting advice if needed. 3) Develop a handout on the importance and benefits of Native Plants.
• Education & Outreach on the Agroforestry and Climate Resiliency Project. Objective: Conduct 4 Education and Outreach activities for landowners related to the Agroforestry project, Climate Change Resiliency, IFP, or Native Plants.
Service Conditions:
• Service involves frequent communication with multiple parties, and may include electronic, telephonic, and/or in-person communication
• Service conditions vary by site, but all CTSs should expect a portion of service to be outdoors, and a portion spent connecting with the community to engage them in stewardship and education
Qualifications:
• Forestry degree, or equivalent experience in the forestry and natural resource conservation field
• High School diploma or equivalent
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must be a US Citizen or permanent resident
• Must agree to a criminal history check
• All positions at State sites require a valid driver’s license with a good 5-year driving record
• Passion for community service and the environment
• Commitment to complete the full term of service
• Skills, experience, and education requirements vary by site
Orientation and Training Topics:
Members will participate in up to five orientation and training days, typical topics include: Intro to AmeriCorps, Prohibited Program Activities, MCC, Host Sites and You, OnCorps reporting, Portfolio Development, Professional Communication, National Incident Management Systems, Leave No Trace, Intro to Trails, Tool Safety, Use and Maintenance, Interpretive Programs. Initial orientation and training will likely include some virtual aspects in 2024.
The Host Site and/or Maine Forestry Service will provide additional forestry-based training to accomplish specific projects as they relate to grant outcomes and organizational needs.
Members will receive FEMA Training FEMA IS-700B for the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and FEMA IS-244B for Developing and Managing Volunteers.
Job readiness training will also be provided, such as resume writing, job search components, appropriate workplace behaviors, and interview skills. Some topics are explicit lessons, and some will be learned throughout the term of service.
Job readiness training, such as resume writing, job search components, appropriate workplace behaviors, and interview skills will be taught throughout the term of service. Additional training may be provided by the Host Site.
Volunteer Engagement
The Community Tree Steward will utilize the Essential Volunteer Management Practices to improve the site’s volunteer program.
The MCC CTS will also recruit and promote volunteer opportunities from the local community, businesses, and social organizations to accomplish trail projects. The MCC will assist members in identifying potential outreach opportunities, best approaches, and promotion of events to increase volunteerism at the Host Site by using the Essential Volunteer Management Practices. The CTS will improve the sustainability of the overall volunteer program.
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Living Allowance
$2560
-
$3200 monthly
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Additional Benefits
• Weekly living allowance of $640 (before taxes) for 24 weeks
• AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,447.50
• Certifications in the National Incident Management System, some members will also receive MCC Chainsaw Safety Certification
• Conferences such as the Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference
• Networking opportunities
• Maine State Park Pass
• Some members may also be eligible for student loan forbearance and childcare reimbursement
Education Benefits
Credential or Certification
Education Requirements
High School Graduate
Desired Languages
English
Other Conditions
Car recommended
Subject to criminal background check
Age Requirement
18 - 99