Job Summary:
Refuge Ambassadors play a crucial role in facilitating meaningful experiences for visitors and the surrounding community. Through their efforts, they promote awareness of important scientific and conservation work that contributes to the protection of wildlife on Maine’s coastal islands. Ambassadors also foster strong emotional connections to those species, which is vital for sustaining the long-term conservation efforts that are needed throughout the Refuge.
Time Commitment:
Volunteer Refuge Ambassadors are typically scheduled for one 3-hour shift per week. Seasonal demands allow for additional shifts from late spring through the summer. Please let us know if you cannot commit to a shift every week (or year-round), as we are occasionally able to work with non-standard schedules.
Key Responsibilities:
- Visitor Engagement: Refuge Ambassadors are the face of the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge (MCINWR) and often provide the first impression of the Refuge. Successful Ambassadors seek to meet visitors where they are by asking questions and then catering the visitor experience based on the needs and interests of our guests. This can include providing information, answering questions, and facilitating tours of exhibits throughout the facility.
- Community Engagement: There are opportunities throughout the year for Refuge Ambassadors to engage with the public outside of the Visitor Center. These opportunities allow us to engage with new audiences and increase awareness in the community.
- Special Events: The Refuge occasionally hosts special events throughout the year and Refuge Ambassadors are encouraged to participate if they are available. Having trained and knowledgeable volunteers available at events significantly increases our ability to provide meaningful and impactful experiences for event guests.
- Educational Program Assistance: Assist Refuge Educators in the delivery of classes, lectures, workshops, guided tours, and interpretive activities that advance educational objectives of students and educators and in local K-12 schools as well as adults.
- Exhibit Development: There are opportunities for experienced Refuge Ambassadors to assist in the development of exhibits at the Visitor’s Center that support the Public Engagement objectives of the Refuge.
- Safety: Ensure the safety of Refuge visitors while touring the Visitor’s Center and throughout all programs and activities.
- Evaluation: Assist in assessing the effectiveness of Public Engagement exhibits and activities and gather visitors’ feedback to make improvements.
- Oversight: The Friends of Maine Coastal Islands (FOMCI) is the nonprofit organization that supports the mission of MCINWR and provides coordination and scheduling through FOMCI board members for all volunteers.
Location
The Maine Coastal Islands Nation Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is located at 9 Water Street, Rockland Maine (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/maine-coastal-islands-complex). A second office is located in Milbridge, Maine, but this office typically does not have public programs. The offices and resources for public events created by Friends of Maine Coast Islands (mainecoastislands.org) are located in the Rockland Visitor Center building, and the public spaces are primarily on the ground floor, and an art gallery on the second floor that can be accessed by stairs and elevator. The facility meets universal design (ADA) standards. This is the primary location for all volunteer activities, although there may be opportunities to work with the public in other locations for special events.
Qualifications:
- No prior experience in conservation science is required, but a basic familiarity with Maine’s coastal wildlife is helpful. Training about Maine’s seabirds and support are provided to all volunteers to ensure they are knowledgeable and comfortable in working with the public.
- A willingness to learn and share that learning with others.
Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination
The Friends of Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge does not discriminate in employment and volunteer opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. We encourage applicants of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences to apply.
