Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership (Hurricane Island) is seeking an Aquaculture Farm Assistant for the 2025 island season. The position requires living and working on Hurricane Island and operates under the supervision of the Aquaculture Manager. The Aquaculture Farm Assistant will work to maintain and improve our 3.2 acre aquaculture site where we grow scallops, oysters, and kelp. Additionally, they will assist in implementing Hurricane Island’s research program and with specific aspects of data collection and project management. The Aquaculture Farm Assistant is expected to be integrated into the day-to-day operations of the island and help maintain our collaborative and intentional community. A successful candidate must be well-organized, flexible, and able to function in a dynamic working environment. Additional responsibilities to those described here may be required, as needed

Responsibilities & Expectations 

• Support the Hurricane Island aquaculture operation in the following ways:
  • Clean, organize, and maintain equipment and gear;
  • Sort and harvest animals and monitoring biological parameters;
  • Outreach and collaboration with local community and students;
  • Assist with paperwork and ensuring legal compliance, including required monitoring and sampling protocols;
  • Work with Hurricane Island and partner researchers to set up experiments and collect data on the farm;
  • Maintain a farm log of activities and maintenance

• Data collection, entry, and organization
• Education and Collaboration Responsibilities
  • Work with Hurricane’s Educators to integrate our aquaculture efforts with our on-island education programs 
  • Deliver Aquaculture and Research-specific educational programming, such as anatomy lessons, sorting spat bags, and aquaculture site tours to diverse audiences of students and adults
  • Work with the Research Intern, author and publish bi-weekly Research blogs
• Conducting additional fieldwork as necessary

• Participate as a full member of Hurricane Island’s intentional community, including following and enforcing campus policies and community expectations, welcoming visitors to the island and communicating about Hurricane’s mission and work, participating in community tasks including daily and weekly chores, performing other duties relating to the organization’s goals and mission as required.

Essential Qualifications

• Familiarity with fisheries and aquaculture methods and policies in Maine; strong interest in aquaculture, management, and education;
• Familiarity with boats and experience on and around the water;
• Demonstrated ability to multitask, identify and complete projects, and work independently or as part of a team with minimal supervision ;
• A growth mindset including a willingness to be coached and openness to feedback;
• Ability to perform physically challenging work outdoors and in all weather conditions on uneven terrain while monitoring and maintaining personal safety and the safety of others.
• Certification in basic CPR/First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, or Wilderness First Responder. (WFR course is available on Hurricane Island in the spring)
• Capable of safely lifting 50lbs of weight and working on unstable surfaces.
• Ability to work in a noisy, energetic environment while remaining welcoming to community members.
• Ability and willingness to work and live in a remote island community with rustic and off-the-grid accommodations where all staff share living and work spaces.
• Interest and enthusiasm for working with youth.
• Work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Demonstrated initiative to identify and complete projects and work independently or as part of a team with minimal supervision.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Authorized to lawfully work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with facilities maintenance, including but not limited to: basic carpentry, understanding of small engines, electrical, and plumbing systems.
• Open Water SCUBA Certification and DAN insurance
• Personal SCUBA equipment (Cold water wetsuit, BCD, regulator, weights, etc.)
• Boat handling experience and awareness of on-water safety procedures;
• Familiarity with Excel, Word, Google Drive, and database management systems.
• Working experience with racial and ethnic minority groups, English language learners, urban youth, low-income communities, immigrant communities, LGBTQ communities, people with special needs, and other groups that are underrepresented in the field of environmental education.

Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership is a transformative learning community on Hurricane Island in Penobscot Bay, Maine. Our mission is to integrate science education, applied research, and leadership development through year-round educational programs and a seasonal, environmentally-sustainable island community. Through experiential education programs and research opportunities in STEM disciplines we aim to excite people about doing science and about being leaders in the next wave of scientific discovery and environmental conservation.