Island Institute Fellow - Sept 2026

Island Institute • Rockland, ME

38d

About The Position

Island Institute seeks qualified candidates for an Island Institute Fellowship, a two-year placement in one of Maine’s coastal or 15 year-round island communities. We have had 153 fellows in the 26 years of the Island Fellows program.

Island Institute Fellows Program places college (associates or higher) and master’s degree graduates in Maine’s coastal and year-round island areas to live and work for two years. Fellowship positions provide a unique opportunity for recent graduates to apply their skills and gain real-life, place-based experience in climate, marine economy and/or affordable housing using community development practices. Island Institute Fellows work directly with a host organization on a priority project identified by the community, while also contributing their own interests and passions to the area they live in. The fellowship experience is designed to support the development of essential career skills. The cohort of fellows take part in a variety of professional experiences designed to build
communication, project management, facilitation, and leadership skills.

Island Institute Fellows Program provides support for Maine’s coastal and island communities by:
Strengthening capacity for local planning and management in the areas of climate, marine economy and/or affordable housing.
Providing technical assistance in implementing local research, planning, education, and communication projects.
Successful candidates will be community-focused, self-motivated, self-aware, and committed to the
Institute’s mission and values. Applicants must be able to carefully allocate their time and organizational resources while working across multiple projects.

Requirements

• An associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree within the last five years
• The ability and willingness to travel to off-site locations, including by boat.
• Eligibility to work in the USA
• Ability to reside full time in the community where the fellowship is located.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated interests or abilities in community development, community-based work, or related fields in the areas of climate and/or marine economy
• Strong interpersonal communication skills; able to speak about the work in an articulate and compelling manner (one-on-one and with groups).
• The ability to understand rural communities and how change happens locally.
• The interest in and ability to listen to communities and partners to inform, develop, and implement responsive programming.
• Interest in shaping experiences for community members that inspire them to act and solve problems.
• Comfort with technology, including information technology systems such as Office 365 applications.
• Ability to manage time and work with minimal direct supervision AND/OR Ability to work collaboratively in multi-generational settings.
• Enthusiasm for living and working in small, rural areas.

Responsibilities

• Work within a community, municipal, or educational organization for 24 months.
• Connect and integrate into a community and apply this understanding to an identified project.
• Apply project management skills to move projects forward in a way that promotes community engagement and creates sustainability at the end of the fellowship.

Benefits

• Housing, utilities, and internet provided and paid for by Island Institute.
• $15.10/hour wage; 35-hour work week
• 12 paid holidays - 2 paid floating holidays
• Four weeks of paid time off (includes vacation, sick, and personal time off)
• Professional development through retreats and workshops; Professional development stipend
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Networking with other professionals and organizations
• Island Institute membership

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees