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Anticipated performance period: June - August (approximately 10 weeks)

Estimated hours: Approximately 300 hours (average 30 hours/week)

Work structure: The internship will be primarily completed through virtual work. Opportunities for in-person work may be arranged depending on available resources and intern circumstances.

Description: The position will involve supporting research and policy development for the GEO related to renewable energy initiatives. The focus of this internship is to support implementation of the Maine Offshore Wind (OSW) Roadmap. This support will involve several different activities, including research and report writing, energy policy, stakeholder engagement, and communications.  The intern will work under the direction of the supervisor to research, compile, summarize, and interpret relevant policies. Successful completion of the internship will result in final deliverables as described below.

Example activities:

• Provide support for implementation of PL 2023, Chapter 481 (LD 1895), An Act Regarding the Procurement of Energy from Offshore Wind Resources
• Help support Maine’s pursuit of federal funding opportunities, such as conducting research and summarizing lessons for Maine related to federal incentives such as investment tax credits and production tax credits
• Help support the Maine Offshore Wind Research Consortium (established by PL 2021, Chapter 407) through stakeholder engagement and drafting communications.
• Help support Maine in drafting communications about offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine

Example deliverables:

• Research reports and/or slide deck to inform implementation of LD 1895
• Research reports and/or slide deck on federal funding opportunities and incentives.
• Communication materials related to the Maine Offshore Wind Research Consortium and progress on offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine

Open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

A Fellow in the  will be exposed to a wide variety of experiences in the Town Manager's office as well as opportunities to work in various capacities with the Economic and Community Development, Planning and Codes, Engineering, and Public Works Departments.  This fellowship provides a career development opportunity to gain quality experience working in local government, while making a direct impact in the community. This position typically works closely with the Assistant Town Manager and participates in multi-departmental projects.

The Fellow will gain broad exposure to all departments, and Department Heads will coordinate to provide career exposure opportunities in the areas of greatest interest to the student. 

The Fellow should be a self-motivated and organized individual with the ability to learn and support multiple departments through participation in strategic and operational planning efforts. Should be able to perform administrative work involving research, compilation, and analyzing information pertaining to emerging issues and projects as assigned.

There are various project involvement opportunities available depending on the career interests of the Fellow.  Some of the more specific project opportunities for summer 2024 are described below:

• GIS mapping and inventorying for Bike/Ped
• General help with elections for the Clerk’s Office
• Social media outreach for the Town Manager’s Office
• Potentially assisting Engineering with speed studies

Harpswell is a spectacular waterfront community.  Geographically, it consists of a long peninsula (Harpswell Neck), three large islands (Great Island, Orr’s Island and Bailey Island) and a number of off-shore islands.  The Town has over two hundred miles of coastline including a number of coves and bays, which have historically supported commercial fishing. 

The Town has a Town Meeting form of government with a three-member Select Board and an appointed Town Administrator.  The Town Meeting is the legislative body that adopts municipal ordinances and the budget. The Town has a number of very active committees with highly knowledgeable volunteers. 

The Town has many critical and exciting initiatives underway.  It is in the process of preparing an updated comprehensive plan.  It is exploring creating a central fire station to coordinate the three volunteer fire departments.  It is actively working to address climate change and sea level rise and its impacts. Work is underway to address the growing issue of short-term rentals and their impact on the housing stock.  Water quality needs to be constantly monitored as it is the cornerstone of healthy marine resources and fisheries.  And the Town does all of this with a small staff, committed volunteers and at times, with outside consultants. The Fellow will have the opportunity for hands-on involvement with some of these issues.

The Fellow will work under the supervision of the Town Administrator and the Deputy Administrator.  The Fellow will be involved with key staff members including the Harbormaster & Marine Resources Coordinator and Town Planner.  The Fellow will have the opportunity to experience how dedicated volunteers can play an integral role in municipal government (and in all organizations).

The choice of projects will be determined based on the current needs of the Town.  The Town will also consider suggestions from the Fellow if their interests align with Town objectives. The Fellow will have the flexibility to choose multiple projects of interest.  Possible projects include:

• Interacting with various Department heads to update sections of the Town’s website, including adding visual interest, as well as recommending ideas for better utilization of social media communications and possibly creating “A Welcome to Harpswell” brochure.
• Assisting Town departments, particularly Planning and Code Enforcement, with utilization of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Assisting the Town with implementation of hybrid meetings and protocols
• Playing an active role in water quality monitoring in two specific coves by contacting property owners, conducting sampling and analyzing the data
• Working with the Climate Resiliency Committee to develop more community engagement and awareness, possibly developing an interactive online resource program that residents can use to obtain information and assistance in addressing climate change
• Working with the Short-Term Rentals Task Force to assess the nature and impact of Short-Term Rentals in Harpswell
• Assisting the Affordable Housing Working Group in developing proposals for implementing the recommendations of the Attainable Housing Report
• Exploring approaches for preserving access to coastal waters for commercial fishing

 is a dynamic, welcoming, and business friendly community that borders Merrymeeting Bay and is home to the Topsham Fair, a strong business community, and many historical and conservation areas of interest. This position will introduce a Fellow to Topsham’s Town Meeting/Board of Selectmen/Town Manager form of government and will work directly for the Town Manager’s Office.

The Fellow can expect to become familiar with the following Town of Topsham’s Departments: Administration, Finance, Economic Development, Assessing, Planning, Public Works, Tax, Town Clerk, Fire, Police, Parks & Recreation, and Solid Waste.  The fellow may also attend professional development events, visit and tour outside agencies such as the Maine State House, Brunswick Topsham Water District, Brunswick Sewer District, Two Rivers Regional Jail, and other Maine points of interest. Fellows will be involved with Town committees, and work on a project that will benefit the Town as well as the Fellow.

The choice of projects will be determined prior to the Fellows’ arrival and is based on the current needs of the Town. The Fellow will have the opportunity to choose a project that they would be interested in pursuing. We also consider suggestions from the Fellows if their interests align with Town objectives. At the end of the summer term, the Fellow can expect to present their work to management and the Topsham Select Board. Some past projects include the following:

• Analyzation of Collective Bargaining Agreements and policies for future union negotiations
• Developed an alternative payment method for the Solid Waste facility
• Developed a Town Local Business Directory and webpage highlighting local businesses
• Analyzation and reporting of community center survey data for Town officials
• Organized and compiled existing condition reports of bike and pedestrian infrastructure to develop a patterns of growth map in Topsham
• Assisted with updating Topsham’s administrative code
• Assisted with the development of an improved format to the Town’s annual report
• Conducted a survey and analysis of Topsham employers that has been used in planning and resource discussions related to labor, housing, and education sectors
• Developed a community outreach information brochure and created a webpage to promote awareness of Topsham’s new community paramedicine program
• Drafted new tax acquired property guidelines to ensure compliance with the recent U.S. Supreme Court case and recently enacted Maine Statutory law
• Drafted and updated several current Town of Topsham Personnel Policies