Summer Tidal Wetland Restoration Steward

position description:

Supervisor: KELT Tidal Restoration Coordinator

Summary: Low and undersized road crossings at sites with tides put roads and people at risk and damage the health of tidal wetland habitats, a critical asset for Maine’s coastal communities. Improving these crossings and raising the height of roads vulnerable to flooding from storm surge and sea level rise can increase climate resilience, increase community safety, and improve coastal wetland ecosystems. The restoration team at KELT is carrying out a coordinated assessment and prioritization of tidal road crossings in 10 towns in the lower Kennebec and Sheepscot Estuaries to identify and advance restoration and resilience projects at the most promising sites.

KELT will be hiring two Summer Tidal Wetland Restoration Stewards to play an essential role in helping to advance restoration projects in the region through on-the-ground fieldwork that will identify and assess priority habitat restoration sites. The Stewards will be part of a field team led by the Tidal Restoration Coordinator. The team will assess marsh vegetation and health, road crossing infrastructure and its condition, the extent and impact of restricted tidal flow, and other key site characteristics to determine the most impactful and feasible restoration opportunities. The Stewards will also help advance restoration projects through data entry and processing, community engagement, the creation of outreach materials, and other related tasks.

Why work with KELT this summer?

• Gain hands-on experience with tidal wetland restoration at one of the key organizations leading this work in the region.
• Help advance impactful projects that directly protect and increase the climate resilience of Kennebec Estuary ecosystems and communities.
• Develop the ability to interpret and assess tidal wetland systems — learn how to identify marsh plants, recognize signs of impairment and historical modification, and evaluate road crossing structures.
• Spend the summer working in the beautiful natural areas of the Maine Coast: this position is approximately 75% field based!
• Experience the structure and operation of a dynamic non-profit land trust.
• Explore other KELT programs (land protection, preserve stewardship, and outdoor education) to experience a range of career opportunities in the environmental field, as time allows.

Summer Tidal Wetland Restoration Steward Responsibilities:

• As part of a team, visit and evaluate tidal road crossing infrastructure to determine habitat impacts and restoration and resilience needs, documenting information about each site (crossing type, size, material, condition, etc.).
• Characterize tidal marsh plant communities and assess their health through preliminary vegetation surveys.
• Deploy and collect data from water level sensors to track tidal flow dynamics upstream and downstream from crossings.
• Support KELT’s Project Director and Tidal Restoration Coordinator with elevation surveys.
• Enter and process data collected during field assessments, incorporating it into KELT’s assessment and prioritization of all crossings in the region.
• Work with the data and develop graphics to present information about the marshes and priority crossings that is accessible for community leaders and the public.
• Investigate tidal crossing sites using GIS mapping software.
• Advance restoration projects through engagement and outreach, connecting with community members, developing communication materials, and supporting landowner outreach.
• Engage with other KELT programs that align with your interests, as time permits.

Location:

The KELT office is located in Bath, Maine. Work will occur throughout ten towns in Midcoast, Maine (Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoinham, Dresden, Georgetown, Phippsburg, Richmond, West Bath, Westport Island, and Woolwich). Fieldwork will occur primarily on tidal marshes and around road crossings.

Necessary Skills:

• Passion for restoration projects that jointly support ecosystems and communities.
• Experience reliably and efficiently executing field data collection protocols.
• Experience entering and processing field data.
• Experience managing time and performing independent tasks with minimal supervision. Self-motivated. Ability to work independently and on a team in a collaborative, safe, and responsible way.
• Flexibility and willingness to learn.
• Comfort with a variable schedule that is impacted by the tides.
• Enthusiasm for fieldwork in a variety of different environmental conditions. Fieldwork conditions can include heat, rain, biting insects, dense vegetation, and difficult terrain.
• Ability to communicate thoughtfully with the public. Comfortable serving as a representative for KELT at public events and in the field.
• Availability for events outside of traditional workday hours on some evenings and weekends, with advanced notice.
• Ability to swim. Swimming is not required for work duties; however, this is an important skillset for safely working around tidal channels.
• Competency with standard computer software, including Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
• Driver’s license and reliable personal transportation. Must be over 18 years old at start of season (May 14th, 2025).

A plus if you have:

• Knowledge of biology, ecology and geography of the Maine coast.
• An understanding of tidal wetland systems and the challenges they are facing in Maine.
• Background knowledge related to ecology, infrastructure, engineering, climate resilience, and/or restoration.
• Completion of college-level course work in communication, wetland ecology, marine science, botany, biology, geology, hydrology, environmental science, environmental engineering, or related fields.
• Plant identification skills. Extra credit if you’re familiar with local marsh plants, graminoids, or invasive species!
• Knowledge of, or experience assessing, transportation infrastructure.
• Fieldwork or surveying experience in a professional setting.
• GIS experience, especially the ArcGIS suite.
• Experience with graphic design, photography, and written communications.
• Experience engaging with the public in a friendly and professional manner.
• Wilderness First Aid or Basic First Aid Certification.

Position Dates:

10-12 weeks between May 14 – August 30, 2026. 40 hours per week.

End dates are flexible to accommodate summer schedules and based on weekly hours. Position is funded for a maximum of 480 hours.

Compensation:

• $18.00 per hour.
• Seasonal employees receive paid national holidays within the summer employment period: Memorial Day (May 25), Juneteenth (June 19), and Independence Day (July 4).
• Work-related travel is reimbursed at IRS Standard Mileage.
• Paid Wilderness First Aid training including CPR certification.
• Housing: Not supplied through the position, but we may have leads on affordable housing options in the area for seasonal staff.

Schedule:

Work will typically occur from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. However, marsh fieldwork is impacted by the tides, so flexible hours and longer days may be occasionally required. Longer workdays will be compensated for with shorter workdays or days off within each two-week pay period. Work hours will not exceed 80 hours within each two-week pay period.

Position Link: https://www.kennebecestuary.org/were-hiring-summer-tidal-wetland-restoration-steward