Career development opportunities
This page contains information about internships, community engagement projects, seasonal jobs, and other positions that may be of interest to students who want to gain job-related experience prior to graduation. Check this page periodically for updates, and note that some opportunities have specific deadlines.
Job Boards
Many groups compile job openings and post them on job boards.
Bioscience Association of Maine Job Board
Community Engagement
4-H STEM Ambassadors, University of Southern Maine [recruitment at the start of every semester]
Internships
Internship: Idexx Laboratories [Deadlines vary depending on position]
Environmental Education Intern, Summer 2018
National Audubon Society’s Seabird Restoration Program – the Maine coast
Overview: This is a wonderful experience on the Maine coast in both field biology and environmental education and interpretation, working with seasoned Audubon professionals as well as the general public, on an internationally-recognized seabird restoration project. You will essentially be an “ambassador” for Audubon and conservation while narrating boat trips out to a restored Puffin and Tern colony, and in our Project Puffin Visitor Center in Rockland, etc. If you like the ocean and seabirds and sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm, this may be for you.
Location: Bremen, Maine (base camp), Rockland, Maine, and two+ weeks living and working in primitive conditions on an Audubon-managed seabird nesting island in Maine, 5 to 20 miles offshore.
Two Positions: both, from May 25th to third or preferably fourth week in August
Position Overview: The first two to three weeks of this position will be spent at a seabird nesting island where the intern will participate in the research as described in the Research Assistant position description on our website: http://projectpuffin.org/Intern.html#ea This time will serve as an immersion in true field biology and an introduction to National Audubon Society's Seabird Restoration Program, and you will be among Atlantic Puffins and a variety of terns, etc. Upon return to mainland base, there will be a training period for the boat tour naturalist duties. (National Audubon Society cooperates with two different private boat tour operators who offer seabird and puffin-viewing tours to the general public.) Interns will then spend the bulk of their time both on the tour boats, which operate approximately 13 total trips per week, and in Rockland at the Project Puffin Visitor Center (PPVC). Hours at the PPVC are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Wednesdays, when the hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Interns will spend approximately two days a week at the PPVC. Positions are 40 hours per week.
Primary Duties: As naturalist-educator, the intern will identify seabirds and marine mammals seen on the tour boats, and provide information on seabird natural history, seabird restoration, ecology of the Gulf of Maine, and human history of the area as it relates to seabirds on the islands. Duties at the PPVC include greeting the public, interpreting display materials and exhibits, operating the cash register and working in the gift store, organizing inventory, cleaning, etc. When not narrating or working at the PPVC, regular everyday duties will include preparation of teaching materials, and assisting with important logistical support, such as conducting daily conversations with island field stations, shopping, packing, driving, organizing, cleaning, etc
Qualifications: Individual must be seaworthy! If you get sea sick, this job is not for you. And have an outgoing personality. Also, you should possess a B.S. or B.A. in conservation education, interpretation, or biology; OR be an undergraduate with related experience. A keen interest in birds and birding is essential, as is with the public. Ability to run an electronic cash register and credit card machines. Career goals should be an eventual position in conservation education or interpretation, or biology. Applicants must have a valid driver's license. (A reliable vehicle is desirable, but not required.) A good pair of binoculars, however, is required equipment.
Seabird Island requirements: You will be living on a wildlife sanctuary island, 5-20 miles offshore, and you will be sleeping in a tent of your own supply, and working in challenging physical conditions which will include cold weather, possible rain, fog and wind. There is a cabin on each island for eating, computer work, socializing, etc. Daily schedules begin fairly early in the morning and often you will be spending 3 hours at a time sitting in a very small bird blind making observations and taking notes. The ability to get along with a diverse array of personalities during this time is key.
Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift 40 pounds. Physically agile to navigate uneven ground surfaces on offshore islands, and in getting in and out of small boats. Not prone to seasickness.
Knowledge of equipment: Must be experienced in using binoculars, laptop computers for entering research data.
Compensation: Weekly stipend of approximately $262 plus room and groceries (a private room with shared kitchen and bath at the Project mainland base in Bremen, ME) and worker's compensation insurance coverage. Mileage will be paid for business use of a personal vehicle if required. Perk: Ability to take occasional natural history programs at the adjacent Hog Island Audubon Camp, which runs residential programs through the summer.
Contacts: Email Education Coordinator Pete Salmansohn at psalmansohn@audubon.org The positions will be posted on the National Audubon Society career center webpages and all applicants seriously interested in applying must go through this formal process. www.audubon.org/careers But it is best to contact Pete first before taking the time necessary to go through the Audubon protocols.
Seanet Internships
The University of Maine’s Sustainable Ecological Aquaculture Network (SEANET) is seeking 3-6 interns to work as a team at the Darling Marine Center (DMC) on various projects related to marine food web ecology, coastal oceanography and interactions with aquaculture in Maine estuaries. Full-time internships are available for 3 months, starting May 16th through August 24th (start and end dates are flexible). Additionally, ongoing part-time internships are available with the option to transition to full-time summer employment (dates and work schedules are flexible).
Interns will work on a variety of projects that examine the ecology of estuaries with an emphasis on how estuarine ecology and oceanography interact with aquaculture systems.
Interns will assist and lead projects related to (1) examining drivers of coastal acidification and seasonal cycles of productivity), (3) taking this understanding into the lab to examine acidification effects on aquaculture growing areas including climate-related properties (e.g., primary production in Maine estuaries (including nutrients, light, and grazing), (2) monitoring physical and biogeochemical conditions in aquacultured species,and (4) integrating this information with estuarine models that help aquaculturists and citizens make sustainable and profitable decisions about siting. Interns will assist with field collections of phytoplankton and zooplankton samples and measure physical variables in Damariscotta Estuary and Cobscook Bay. AAUS Scientific Divers and divers-in-training will help maintain moored field instruments by scuba diving at various field sites. Interns will gain both laboratory, field, and modeling experience in various sampling and processing techniques used in marine ecology and aquaculture research. Interns will also gain first-hand experience in experimental design.
Requirements: Students must be a registered undergraduate student at the University of Maine or another accredited institution. AAUS Scientific Diver certification or plans to enroll in the UMaine Scientific Diving course is preferred but not required. Interns will participate in field-based activities that may be physically demanding and require long hours outdoors. Further, interns will participate in sample processing which will include long hours spent filtering water samples and/or working at a microscope. Hourly rate up to $10.50/hour, commensurate with experience. Housing is available at the DMC for $740 month and housing scholarships are available. To apply send a cover letter and CV to Dr. Damian Brady.
Seasonal/Temporary Employment
Ice Age Botanist
What: The BEAST Lab at UMaine is looking for an undergrad student to identify plant fragments (e.g., needles, seeds, acorn caps) from ice age deposits from the La Brea Tar Pits, as part of a project on ice age food webs. The project is based in Orono, ME.
Qualifications: Experience with plant identification is required. Work with microscopes, paleoecology, or the California flora is desired, but not required.
Position: This is a paid position, with flexible hours; we require a commitment of 20 to 40 hours a week through the summer. Start and end dates are flexible.
To apply, please send a CV, cover letter, and contact info for three references to Jacquelyn Gill: jacquelyn.gill@maine.edu. Applications will be reviewed immediately, until the position is filled.
Maine Conservation Corps
Learn more about the Field Teams here.
Field Team Member
Optional Chainsaw Training: May 14 – May 18, 2018
Member Orientation and Field Season: May 21 – August 17, 2018
Position Description
Field Team Members will serve on a team to accomplish conservation projects throughout Maine. Members will also participate in training, adhere to all MCC policies, and live cooperatively with other team members during their term of service.
Qualifications
Must be eligible for AmeriCorps Education Award
High School diploma
Must be at least 18 years old
Must be a US Citizen
Must submit to criminal and sex offender background checks
Click Here to Apply Now
MCC Field Team
Assistant Team Leader
Optional Chainsaw Training: May 14 – May 18, 2018
Member Orientation and Field Season: May 21 – August 17, 2018
Position Description
The MCC Assistant Field Team Leader position provides support and leadership with the Field Team Leader, helping the team accomplish significant conservation, education, and outdoor recreation service projects, especially trail building.
Qualifications
Must be eligible for AmeriCorps Education Award
High School diploma
Must be at least 18 years old
Must be a US Citizen
Must submit to criminal and sex offender background checks
Desired Skills
One season of trail work or outdoor leadership experience
Good communication skills
Excellent work ethic
Possesses motivation and initiative
Click Here to Apply Now
Gain valuable experience before you graduate!