Changemakers Resident

position: Changemakers Residency – A collaborative program between The Maine Environmental education Association’s Maine Environmental Changemakers Network and The Nature Conservancy in Maine

Number of Openings: Two Full-Time Resident Positions

Compensation: Full-time (36 hrs/week) salaried positions at $50,000 per year for 2 program

Start Date: September 8, 2026

Application Deadline: May 27, 2026 (11:59 pm)

To Apply:  Follow this link to access the application and more information about the Residency. For questions or concerns, please contact deja@meeassociation.org.

Residency description

The Maine Environmental Education Association (MEEA) and The Nature Conservancy in Maine are collaborating on this two-year residency position designed for residents to advance important work (described below) while building skills and gaining the unique professional experience of working both within a smaller grassroots nonprofit network (MEEA) and within a large, global environmental/conservation nonprofit (TNC).

After two successful cohorts (2022 and 2024), we are excited to open a third cycle of the Changemakers Residency Program. Residents are full time and employed by MEEA and will be under the supervision of MEEA’s Director of Youth Engagement, Negina Lawler-Naluai, and Executive Director, Olivia Griset, and a respective supervisor at TNC, Tamara Lee, Community Program Director. The Resident’s scope of work will primarily include initiatives through TNC and will also include engagement with MEEA’s staff and MEEA’s Changemakers Network and Fellows.

The Nature Conservancy in Maine

The Changemaker Residents will work with the Community Program Director to build connections with communities with the goal of building relationships, rapport, and reducing barriers to access to outdoor spaces. This work includes but is not limited to:  

• Contributing to the co-development of and lead experiences with Tree Street Youth that create a sense of belonging on TNC preserves, reduce barriers to access for those underrepresented in conservation, and build a continuum of engagement including leadership development, which may expand to other partnerships, as resources allow.
• Partnering with land relations and communications staff to enhance existing TNC preserve signage by advancing equitable access and exploring ways to elevate Wabanaki cultural history and storytelling.
• Serving as a bridge between TNC and the youth climate movement.
• Serving on TNC Community Team and collaborating with other TNC teams focused on Wabanaki sovereignty and youth-led climate policy work.
• Responding to emergent needs and opportunities for engagement in community initiatives.

MEEA Changemakers Network Engagement

Both residents will work closely with MEEA’s Maine Environmental Changemakers team to support the growth of our network.  This work includes but is not limited to:  

• Network building by engaging with youth or youth-led groups to build the changemakers network and connect to community and climate work at TNC.
• Participating on event planning teams.
• Supporting MEEA’s Director of Communications in storytelling initiatives and outreach and Changemaker’s monthly Youth Mailer.
• Supporting MEEA’s development circle in fundraising and grant writing.
• Working with the Director of Youth Engagement on research and program evaluation.
• Engaging in youth-led policy work (like MEEA’s Wabanaki Policy Youth Initiative) and MEEA’s work with the Green Schools Network buildout with the Maine Department of Education.

Work that bridges MEEA and TNC

• Connecting to collaborative work across the Youth Climate Movement through MEEA Changemakers and bringing those relationships and knowledge back to climate network building at The Nature Conservancy.
• Engaging in youth-led policy work at MEEA to build skills and knowledge and connecting those skills to Wabanaki Sovereignty and youth-led climate policy work at The Nature Conservancy.
• Relationship building between youth serving community organizations like Tree Street Youth and TNC and MEEA.
• Representing MEEA and TNC at public events and opportunities such as tabling, panel discussions, and presentations.
• Expanding knowledge and skills in environmental education and outdoor access.

You are a fit for this position if you are/have…

• Interest in positive youth development and excitement to work with youth in community centers and in outdoor settings.
• The ability and desire to collaborate with a diverse range of people and organizations.
• The ability to be proactive working independently and as part of a team.
• The ability to stay organized and communicate consistently while working in a hybrid work environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to ask for and accept help.
• Open to giving and receiving feedback with a growth mindset.
• Curious, eager to learn, and self-motivated.
• Understand Maine’s communities and the local challenges they face.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and Airtable (preferred but can train)
• Interest in growing skills around community organizing and systems change (including policy).

Eligibility for Residency

• Residents self-identify as coming from a background underrepresented in conservation and/or the environmental and climate movements.
• Early in your career trajectory (this could be your first professional position, or you are someone who hasn’t worked in this sector but is shifting into this work).
• Residents are expected to work in person 3 days a week at TNC in Brunswick to support a more connected and relational work environment. We have found that employees who spend time in the office develop stronger relationships and collaborate more effectively. Changemakers Residents must be able to commute to Brunswick, Maine where TNC’s office is located.

At this time, we are unable to hire applicants who cannot demonstrate their existing authorization to work in the United States. Due to financial restrictions and organizational capacity, we are not able to support employment for these applicants outside of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) offered for F-1 students. If suitable and well-qualified local legal residents are not available to fill the position, we may revisit this decision.

These Residency positions are intended to support individuals under-resourced in the conservation and/or environmental and climate sectors in accessing resources, professional development, and employment opportunities. Through this position, Residents will experience different organizational structures and cultures by engaging in both small-scale grassroots organizational work and in a large, global-based organization. Due to the unique nature of this Residency program, Residents will learn how to navigate systems of power and develop a strong understanding of working partnerships formed across organizations at different scales.

General Position Information

MEEA offers the following benefits package:

• Health – Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine – 100% coverage of employee premium costs for MEEA’s select plan. Employee responsible for relevant co-pays and deductibles.
• Paid Time Off – 20 days of paid time off, 12 days of sick leave, 16 paid holidays, paid winter rest break between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, and a paid summer rest break during the first week of July.
• Retirement – Quarterly contributions ($1,400 annually) to a Simple IRA plan starting one year after the start date.
• Professional Development – Up to $500 annually for workshop registrations, with additional funds available for conferences and other development opportunities as approved by supervisors.
• Tech Reimbursement:  Employees receive $50 per month to help offset costs for technology needed to work- (like cell phone or home internet costs).
• Gear / Tools – MEEA is committed to reducing barriers to employment. If there are gear-related requirements for Residents to accomplish their work, MEEA will ensure Residents have access to the gear and tools they need to be successful.  A laptop for work use will be provided to Residents through TNC.
• Employee Assistance Program- Residents will have full access to all benefits available through our EAP with 24/7 access. Some services include: free counseling sessions, sessions with a financial advisor, lawyer consultations, consults with dietitians, and many more services designed for employee well being.

Hybrid Workplace / Travel

This is a primarily in-person position at TNC’s office in Brunswick, ME, with the opportunity for remote work as needed. Residents will have a physical workspace at The Nature Conservancy in Maine in Brunswick. MEEA also has office space in downtown Portland that can be used by residents for remote workdays. Access to reliable internet and transportation to the TNC office in Brunswick is necessary. This position will entail periodic travel across the State of Maine. Travel beyond commuting to the office will be reimbursed at the current federal mileage rate.

Commitment

MEEA is a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization where we strive to ensure all employees, volunteers, and members — whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability — feel valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal employment and advancement opportunities in all of our programs. We respect and value diverse life experiences and perspectives and work to ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. MEEA is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to ensuring an equitable and inclusive work environment. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.