Summer Program Steward

Application Deadline:

Sunday, February 28, 2025. Zoom interviews will begin on March 3 on a rolling basis.

Position Dates:

12 weeks between May 14 – August 6, 2025. 40 hours per week.

End dates flexible to accommodate summer schedules.

Compensation:

$17.50 per hour

Seasonal employees receive paid national holidays within the summer employment period: Memorial Day (May 26), Juneteenth (June 19), and Independence Day (July 4). Daily and weekly work hours may fluctuate during summer month based on education programming.

Position Description:

Supervisor: KELT Community Education Manager

Summary: The Summer Program Steward will work with the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) to develop and deliver community education programs both in the office and out in the field. This position is an opportunity to gain experience on a variety of tasks and projects in the conservation field-- working with professionals, the public, and a diversity of age groups – in a close-knit community of staff and volunteers in beautiful midcoast Maine. This position is perfect for someone who is passionate about connecting people to nature, their local trails, and land protection, and there will be ample opportunity to pursue independent projects within of the land trust’s education, administrative, development, and land stewardship programs.

Why work with KELT this summer?

  • Experience the structure and operation of a non-profit land trust, with a particular emphasis on education, outreach, and development.

  • Gain hands-on experience with many facets of facilitating public events, including two weeklong summer day camps for children 6-11 years old.

  • Work outside to support stewardship field work and at an educational garden in Bath.

  • Exercise creative skills by assisting to write and design content for a variety of platforms (print and digital media) and taking photographs out in the field.

  • Spend the summer working in the beautiful natural areas of Maine.

Summer Program Steward Responsibilities:

  • Facilitate summer day camp activities during week-long camp sessions for children 7-11 years old with the Community Education Manager during the week of July 14 - 18, 2025

  • Assist KELT staff with summer local garden programming on a weekly basis with children ages 0-5 years old.

  • Assist KELT staff to plan and attend public educational events on local trails.

  • Participate in community science monitoring with local volunteers.

  • Create written and visual content for a variety of online and print platforms.

  • Assist as needed with operational tasks such as database management, mailings, communication, and local outreach.

Necessary Skills:

  • Must be available 8 am – 4 pm the week of July 14 in-person for KELT Kids Camp in Bath.

  • Driver’s license and reliable personal transportation.

  • Willingness to work with people of all ages and experiences, with an excitement to work with young children ages 0-12 years old. Experience working with children in a nature setting a plus.

  • Ability to manage time and tasks on independent projects.

  • Ability to communicate professionally with the general public, volunteers, and follow all applicable COVID-19 guidelines for 2025 for public events.

  • Willingness to work in outdoor conditions including heat, rain, biting insects, and difficult terrain.

  • Availability to work occasional events outside of traditional work day hours on some evenings and weekends.

  • Pass a basic background check to work with children.

a plus if you have:

  • Wilderness First Aid, Basic First Aid Certification, and/or Lifeguard Certification.

  • Experience working outdoors.

  • Experience communicating with the public.

  • Ability to write content and copy for websites and social media.

  • Background knowledge in education, environmental studies, ecology, or land protection.

  • Experience using ArcGIS mapping software or Adobe InDesign software.

To Apply:

Send a cover letter and resume to epistell@kennebecestuary.org with the subject line ‘Summer Program Steward Application’. The first interview will be on the phone, and the second on Zoom. We will conduct all interviews on a rolling basis, and will make a final decision by March 31, 2025. Please prepare the names and contact information of two references in advance and KELT will request references at the Zoom interview stage. We look forward to hearing from you!