Island Institute Fellow Sept 2026

IslandInstitute seeks qualified candidates for an IslandInstituteFellowship a two-year placement in one of Maines coastal or 15 year-round island communities. We have had153fellowsin the 26years of the Island Fellows program.

IslandInstituteFellows Program places college(associates or higher)and masters degree graduates in Maines coastal and year-round islandareasto live and work for two years.Fellowship positionsprovidea unique opportunity for recent graduatesto apply their skills and gain real-life place-based community development experiencein the fields of climate resilience the marine economyand/oraffordable housing.IslandInstituteFellows work directly with a host community or organizationon a priority projectidentifiedby the host. Fellows also are encouraged to contribute their own interests and passions to the host community. The fellowship experience is designed to support the development ofessential career skills. The cohort of fellows takepart in a variety of professional experiences designed to build communication project management facilitation and leadership skills.

IslandInstituteFellows Programprovidessupport for Maines coastal and island communities by:

• Strengthening capacityfor localplanningand managementin the areas of climatemarine economy and/or affordable housing.
  

• Providing technicalassistancein implementing local research planning education and communication projects.
  

Successful candidates will be community-focused self-motivated self-aware and committed to the
Institutes mission and values. Applicants must be able to carefullyallocatetheir 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.

• Eligibilityto work in the USA
  

• Ability toresidefull time in the community where the fellowship islocated.
  

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated interests or abilities in community development community-based work
  or related fields in the areas of climate marine economy and/or affordable housing.
  

• 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.

• Theinterest in andability to listentocommunities 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

• Ability to work collaboratively in multi-generational settings.

• Enthusiasm for living and working in small ruralareas.

Essential Functions:

• Work withinacommunitymunicipal or educationalorganization for24 months.

• Connect and integrate into a communityand 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.

Other Program Requirements:

• The fellowship is a full-time job; IslandInstituteFellows cannotholdadditional employment withoutpriorapproval.

• Due to the programs nature some fellowships will require Fellows to have a car and/or drivers license.
  

Benefits:

• Housing utilities and internetprovidedand paidfor by Island Institute.

• $15.10/hour wage; 35-hour work week

• 12paid holidays- 2 paid floating holidays

• Four weeks of paid time off (includes vacation sick and personal time off)

• Professional development through retreatsandworkshops;Professional developmentstipend

• Health Dental Vision and Life Insurance

• Networking with otherprofessionals and organizations

• Island Institute membership

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Due to the variability in site placement and duties all essentialfunctions and specific work environments will beprovided as part of site accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Physical demands: the employeeis required tosit enter data using computer keyboard and mouse stand walk bend over occasionally and move about the office space as well as between building floors.
  Typically there is no requirement to lift and/or move weights of more than 15 pounds. The employee will be expected to travel on occasion by boat and ferry to various island and remote coastal locations. There will be times when working long hourseveningsand weekends will be.

• Travel: Must be comfortable traveling for extended periods of time by any mode of transportation in cross-cultural contexts.

• Work environment: Thenoise level in the work environment is usually minimal.

Please find further information about the position here: sessions on Zoom

Learn more about the Island Institute Fellow position and the application process during our Zoom information sessions onThursday Feb 26from 7-8 pm (EST) and Friday March 6 from 12-1 pm (EST). These sessions are open to anyone interested in applying and will provide an overview of the fellowship and application process plus time to ask questions to staff and current fellows. Please register in advance for one of the events below. All registrants will be emailed a recording of the event.

February 26th Invite Link: 6th Invite Link: Experience:

Junior IC