The first 8 weeks of training will cover essential hard and soft skills of field team leadership. Members will complete conservation projects as part of a team of fellow Team Leader trainees. The following topics will be covered:
Chainsaw safety training, Wilderness First Aid, sustainable trail building, camp life, diversity and inclusivity training, project management, job readiness training, and other technical trail building topics related to your assigned projects.
A successful member of Team Leader Training will assume the key responsibilities of a MCC Field Team Leader. This role provides direct leadership, mentorship, and training for a MCC field team during the field seasons. You can expect to work on physically challenging conservation projects in any kind of weather. MCC Team Leaders perform many roles and are the key to our program’s success. The position is multi-faceted and demanding but has the opportunity for enormous rewards.
Service Activities
Anticipated 2021 Field Team Leadership positions:
• Backcountry Stonework on the Appalachian Trail: up to 3 teams will focus on Appalachian Trail rehabilitation projects in the backcountry. These projects will involve carrying food, tools, and gear between 1 and 4 miles to a backcountry basecamp. Projects include construction of stone staircases, stepping stones, and other erosion control structures. Previous backcountry living experience is required, and stonework and rigging experience preferred.
• Traveling Stonework Team: This team will focus on stonework projects and other trail projects in both front and backcountry settings across Maine. Previous stonework experience preferred.
• Accessible Trail Building on the Coast of Maine: One team will be tasked with rehabilitating a section of the Harpswell Cliff Trail, for all to enjoy. The team will be clearing, excavating, and resurfacing close to a ½ mile of trail to meet the Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines. Previous experience with equipment operation such as a tractor, loader, or mini excavator is preferred.
• Sustainable Community Trail Building: Up to 2 teams will travel to communities throughout Maine focusing on a variety of trail building and maintenance task including bridge construction and new trail construction as well as other conservation projects. Previous carpentry experience and trail building experience preferred.
• Public Lands Maintenance Team: Up to 2 teams will focus on general maintenance of Maine’s public land units in both front country and backcountry settings. Projects include, corridor maintenance, blowdown removal, bog bridge construction, and more. Previous chainsaw experience preferred.
• Mini-Team: MCC anticipates having one Mini Team consisting of 1 leader and 2 members focusing on a variety of trail and conservation projects including stonework, bridge construction, and general trail maintenance and construction. Previous trail construction and chainsaw experience preferred.
Duties Include:
1. Safety: Team leaders will promote a ‘culture of safety’ and ensure that the crew is adequately equipped and prepared for projects and living conditions, including serving in inclement weather and serving and living in backcountry settings. Team leaders will follow and uphold all safety, and sanitation policies and procedures, including heightened COVID-19 protocols.
2. Conservation Project Management: Leaders will conduct a pre-service site visit at each project site. Leader will be responsible for preparing and packing appropriate tools and gear for each project, developing an emergency response plan, communicating regularly with project partners, and effectively managing the team to meet project goals.
3. Documentation and Reporting: Leaders must complete all paperwork in a thorough and timely manner, including daily project reports, submission of timesheets, vehicle mileage logs, and other forms required by the MCC. Leaders are expected to proactively communicate with field staff about crew dynamics and are responsible for documenting crew member incidents and behaviors related to policy violations and disciplinary action.
4. Crew Member Mentorship: MCC Team Leaders are teachers and mentors. They train members in all aspects of trail construction and rehabilitation, and guide and support the team to ensure safety, and wellbeing. Leaders will participate in and facilitate job readiness training workshops and promote crew member development. Leaders provide written and verbal feedback to members throughout the term.
Community Need Addressed
Maine is a mecca for outdoor recreation and exploration. Yet, Maine's trail systems face environmental degradation and erosion from human and natural causes. According to a recent field study, over 95% of northern New England trails experienced significant soil erosion. This trail degradation impacts water quality, user safety, and ecological stability.
Position Outcomes
The MCC creates and restores an average of 100 miles of trail annually, more than any other trail organization in Maine.
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
• Team Leaders are 300-hour AmeriCorps members during the 8-week training period and will receive an education award of $1,311.11 upon successful completion.
AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for student loan deferment and childcare reimbursement.
• Leaders will receive a weekly living allowance of $250 (less taxes) during training.
• Living allowances range from $440-475 per week upon successful completion of training.
• Other benefits include health insurance, pro-deals, Maine State Park Pass, paid training, and a wide range of networking opportunities.
Education Benefits
GED/High School Diploma
Chainsaw safety training, Wilderness First Aid, sustainable trail building, camp life, diversity and inclusivity training, project management, job readiness training, and other technical trail building topics related to your assigned projects.
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment