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Jobs & Seasonal internships

Seasonal Internships

LEA’s summer internships are paid positions geared toward motivated and responsible college students with environmental or educational interests. Interns are required to complete a variety of tasks and work with many different individuals. The work environment is casual but busy, and about 50 to 60 percent of the work is outdoors. And some is inside too!

Interns Hanna and Rachel getting Secchi disk and scope training off of LEA’s buoy rig pontoon boat.

Water-testing interns

Water-testing interns are responsible for monitoring and collecting water samples from 42 lakes and ponds in the area. They work in teams of two, paired with another intern or a volunteer monitor. Interns test the clarity of the water using a Secchi disk, record oxygen and temperature values throughout the water column, and collect samples to test for chlorophyll, phosphorus, alkalinity, pH, conductivity, and color. They bring the samples to the Maine Lakes Science Center Lab and prepare the chlorophyll and phosphorous samples for the Staff Limnologist and Staff Researcher to process. Occasionally interns will be asked to deliver samples to the Health and Environmental Testing Lab in August. The interns run the remaining physical and chemical analyses at the LEA lab. The information is then entered into the master database. Interns must be comfortable in a canoe and be able to swim, as they will spend a good portion of their time on the water. In addition to regular water testing, interns may also work on other related projects such as microplastic monitoring, algae assessment, and loon surveying.

Water testing is the primary duty of the summer interns; however, some facility maintenance, trail work, courtesy boat inspecting (for invasive plants), computer work, and educational program work are also required. All training will be provided during orientation. The hours are generally 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, although some nights and weekends may be required. Driver’s license and access to a vehicle are preferred.

Please contact rachel@mainelakes.org for more information. Or maggie@mainelakes.org


CBI Kelly Baldwin with a fragment of Variable Leaf Milfoil

Courtesy Boat Inspectors

Although not an intern position, LEA hires over 30 local Courtesy Boat Inspectors (CBIs) every summer season for area boat launches. This position is open to all, not just college students. CBIs are a line of defense against potential boat “travelers”, aquatic invasive plants and animals hitching a ride from the last water body to here. It is so important that we all do our part to ensure our boats are clean, drained, and dry as we move from place to place so we do not unwittingly contaminate our local waters. CBIs have flexible schedules at boat launches to check incoming and outgoing boats for plant hitchhikers, help to share the news with the public, and collectively stop some major hitchhikers from entering our waters. Please contact mary@mainelakes.org for more information or click here for an application.


John using the suction harvester to aid with milfoil removal.

Invasive Aquatic Plant Control Crew Members

Milfoil crew members remove the invasive plant variable leaf milfoil from Long Lake, Brandy Pond, Sebago Lake, the Songo River, and Sebago Cove in Naples via a suction-harvesting boat, benthic barriers, and hand pulling. Tasks include pulling the invasive plant underwater, bagging plants, collecting plant fragments, disposing of plants, conducting plant surveys, monitoring diver safety, educating boaters on the threats of milfoil, and light boat and engine maintenance. All crew members receive dive and CPR training. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Check out our youtube page for some milfoil crew footage! 

Successful applicants demonstrate a strong work ethic, responsibility, resilience to the dynamic weather of a Maine summer, and comfort working in and around boats. Applicants must be comfortable spending three to four hours in the water at a time. They must also be able to lift 50 lbs. and feel comfortable operating a motorboat. Driver’s license and access to a vehicle are preferred. If you are interested in a summer job removing milfoil with LEA, please email a resume and several references to michael@mainelakes.org for consideration.


Land & Water Outreach Internship

This is a new internship opportunity at LEA!  Our 2024 outreach intern will support LEA by building meaningful connections within the watershed through outreach, educational programs, and partnerships. The intern will work with other staff to create outreach content and host events related to climate change, sustainable forestry, nutrient pollution, shoreline protection, stormwater, stream connectivity, the Family Forest Carbon Program, and other conservation programs around the watershed.

LEA is part of Sebago Clean Waters, an 11-organization coalition centered around protecting the Sebago Lake Watershed. There will be many opportunities to learn about different programs and build your network with partner organizations and community members. Students enrolled in science, forestry, and/or communications studies at vocational, college, or graduate programs are encouraged to apply. 

The position is located at LEA’s office on Main Street in Bridgton and will have a public-facing role in welcoming visitors to LEA, answering questions relating to watershed issues, and sharing available resources. Accepting applications until March 1st or until the position is filled. More information and how to apply here.


 

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