Coastal Education Volunteer Training Program Winter 2022

Opportunity Overview:
Coastal Education Volunteers will become trained naturalists and given the knowledge and resources to share what they learn with visiting groups of youth, adults, and the general public. Once trained, CEVs will have the opportunity to lead education programs, serve as interpreters at the future Coastal Education Center, and collect environmental data for community science projects. Volunteers will benefit via training in coastal processes, local natural history and ecology, local history and culture, and environmental education pedagogy and methods. Volunteers will also enjoy access to the beautiful Crane Estate, interact with others passionate about coastal education, and will have the opportunity to use their training to give back to the community and environment. Via interaction with the public, CEVs will support The Trustees mission of protecting and inspiring appreciation for our important coastal resources.

This 4-month training course, with a cohort of ~10 volunteers, will consist of 12 sessions total (3 meetings per month, and a mix of classroom and field), scheduled as 1-2 weekday evening sessions, and 1-2 weekend sessions per month. Volunteers will be required to participate in at least 80% of training sessions to become certified CEVs. Once trained, CEVs are asked to commit to at least 1-year of volunteer service, with ~2 volunteer engagements/~5 hours of volunteering per month. The training course will take place in-person at The Crane Estate in Ipswich.

Participants should embrace this opportunity as a course of study and are encouraged to bring whatever they need to support learning. Suggestions: passion for learning, questions and curiosities about the coast, notebook, writing implements, etc. For field training sessions, more information on what to bring will be provided. Light refreshments will be provided at training sessions.

Please note: Previous outdoor, science, and education experience is not required, and therefore do not let the application questions deter you if you do not have such prior experience.

Reports to: Education Manager

Responsibilities (may include but are not limited to the following):

• Communicate effectively with staff and other volunteers
• Commitment to participation in training sessions
• Commit to attending 80% of training sessions, and then ~2 volunteer engagements per month for 1-year after completion of training
• Adhere to The Trustees safety and COVID-19 protocols
• Sign up for coastal volunteer opportunities (education, monitoring, and outdoor recreation programs)

Qualifications:

• A passion for learning
• Curiosity about the coast
• Friendly and outgoing nature
• Interest in coastal literacy/environmental education
• Ability to perform light physical work (lift 50 pounds)
• Comfort/willingness to be outdoors in a variety of weather conditions for 3.5 hours
• Ability to pass a CORI/SORI check
• Have excellent communication and customer service skills
• Have reliable transportation to the property
• Enjoy working with people
• Ability to walk on a variety of uneven surfaces including grass, sand, stairs, gravel

Time Commitment:
12 meetings between February 2022 – May 2022, and then commitment of 1-year/~2 events per month after completion of training. Volunteers will be notified closer to the training dates of the exact dates, times, and suggested supplies to bring.

For more information
Contact the Volunteer Services Team at volunteer@thetrustees.org

To explore other volunteer opportunities, visit our volunteer page at http://volunteer.thetrustees.org/
 
More about The Trustees
Founded by landscape architect Charles Eliot in 1891, The Trustees has, for more than 125 years, been a catalyst for important ideas, endeavors, and progress in Massachusetts. As a steward of distinctive and dynamic places of both historic and cultural value, The Trustees is the nation’s first preservation and conservation organization, and its landscapes and landmarks continue to inspire discussion, innovation, and action today as they did in the past. We are a nonprofit, supported by members, friends and donors and our 116 sites are destinations for residents, members, and visitors alike, welcoming millions of guests annually. www.thetrustees.org.
 
Inclusive Spaces for All
We are committed to providing a welcoming environment for all. Together, alongside our partners and volunteers we are creating inclusive spaces of community for people of all backgrounds to enjoy and preserving these open spaces for everyone, forever. We are committed to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, ability, and experience.
 
The Trustees is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, military service, application for military service, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. The Trustees makes reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
 
Covid-19 Volunteer Safety:
The health and safety of Trustees’ volunteers, staff and visitors is our top priority.

• If you are not feeling well, please stay home
• If you have been in contact with someone with Covid-19 or someone displaying symptoms of Covid-19, please stay home
• For our most current Covid-19 updates, please visit our main Trustees site