Bowdoin Public Service Summer Fellowships

Fellow with the Maine Department of Education

Internship Opportunity: Seal of Climate Literacy 

Organization: Maine Department of Education (Maine DOE) 

Position: Intern – Seal of Climate Literacy 

Overview

The Maine Department of Education is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable individual to assist in creating a dynamic, inclusive campaign to promote the Seal of Climate Literacy. The Seal of Climate Literacy is a new High School graduation endorsement that recognizes and honors students who have explored and developed climate action in their local community and in Maine schools. 

This internship is an excellent opportunity for an individual passionate about climate change and environmental education. Interns will gain invaluable experience developing a statewide initiative while understanding the operations and structures of a state agency. Interns will work closely with the Green Schools team and the Office of Innovation.

Responsibilities

The intern will play a vital role in the development and implementation of the Seal of Climate Literacy. Specific duties include: 

Develop Pilot Program

• Research needed resources from existing programs.
• Develop guides for students, teachers, and schools.
• Collaborate with partners and Maine DOE staff to design marketing materials for the launch of the program and develop webpages with partners and on Maine DOE site.
• Write stories on pilot program successes, including interviewing teachers and students.
• Work with partners and Maine DOE staff to run Advisory Group meetings for the Seal of Climate Literacy.
• Outreach, communicate, and visit schools to recruit programs for the 2026-2027 program year.
• Collaborate with Green Schools Directory and intern to coordinate all Climate and Green programs as needed.
• Engage with a wide range of stakeholders, meetings, and partners to make the Pilot program launch successful.
• Explore, research, and implement online resources on Maine DOE learning management site, EnGiNE
• Learn about the structures and operations within a state agency, including interdepartmental collaboration, policy implementation, and program administration. 

Qualifications

• Strong interest in promoting climate change action, green schools, and environmental education.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with attention to detail. 
• Experience or interest in marketing, outreach, or educational advocacy. 
• Basic proficiency in a second language is strongly preferred. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team. 
• Familiarity with social media platforms and content creation tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe, or equivalent). 
• Enthusiasm for learning about the structures and processes within a state agency. 

Benefits

• Gain hands-on experience in developing a statewide campaign. 
• Build a strong understanding of state agency operations, including education policy, program implementation, and stakeholder engagement. 
• Collaborate with experienced professionals and community leaders. 
• Strengthen your resume and portfolio with tangible deliverables. 

Commitment

Flexible hours: with remote and in-person opportunities based in Maine. 

Join us as we develop and foster Maine’s climate and environmental education future! 

Green Schools Symposium Fellow (Internship)

Organization: Maine Department of Education (DOE)

Program: Green Schools Program

Position Type: Internship / Fellowship

Location: Maine (Hybrid – remote and in-person as needed)

Supervisor: Director of Green Schools, Maine Department of Education

Internship Overview

The Maine Department of Education’s Green Schools Program is seeking a motivated and organized Bowdoin College student to serve as the Green Schools Symposium Fellow. This internship supports the planning and delivery of the Second Annual Maine Green Schools Symposium (2026), building on the success of the inaugural 2025 event.

The symposium is a statewide convening that brings together educators, students, school and district leaders, nonprofit organizations, environmental advocates, energy professionals, facilities staff, contractors, and school construction personnel. Its purpose is to advance climate action, sustainability, and green school practices across Maine’s education system.

The Fellow will work directly with the Director of Green Schools, Glenn Cummings, and play a meaningful role in event planning, outreach, and execution, while gaining hands-on experience in public service, education policy, and climate initiatives.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities will vary depending on the planning phase and proximity to the event, and may include: 

Event Planning & Logistics

• Support symposium planning, timelines, and logistics
• Assist with venue coordination, scheduling, materials, and run-of-show development
• Support on-site coordination and event execution

Program Development & Speaker Coordination

• Assist in developing symposium sessions, workshops, and student-focused programming
• Coordinate communications and logistics with speakers and facilitators

Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Registration Support

• Assist with sponsor and exhibitor outreach and coordination
• Support registration systems and attendee communications
• Help track participation and logistics

Marketing & Outreach

• Assist with strategic marketing and outreach efforts
• Create content for digital communications and social media
• Build relationships with schools, educators, students, and community organizations to increase participation 

Budget & Administrative Support

• Assist with basic budget tracking and documentation
• Support reporting and administrative tasks related to event planning

Policy and Systems Learning

• Participate in Maine DOE meetings as appropriate
• Learn about state government operations, policy implementation, and program administration
• Build understanding of Maine’s education and nonprofit sectors

Qualifications

• Strong interest in climate action, environmental education, green schools, and sustainability
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail
• Interest or experience in marketing, outreach, or educational advocacy
• Familiarity with social media and content creation tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe, or equivalent)
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Enthusiasm for learning about state government and public-sector work

Learning Outcomes and Benefits

• Hands-on experience supporting a statewide, high-impact symposium
• Exposure to Maine DOE operations and education policy implementation
• Opportunity to contribute to Governor Janet Mills’ climate initiatives
• Professional mentorship and collaboration with education, nonprofit, and industry leaders
• Strengthened résumé and portfolio through tangible deliverables
• Experience in a growing sector focused on climate resilience and sustainability

Commitment 

This internship offers flexible hours with a mix of remote and in-person work based in Maine. Timing and weekly hours will align with Bowdoin College internship expectations and the symposium planning timeline.

Office of the Maine Secretary of State

Anticipated performance period: June - August (approximately 10-12 weeks)

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

Supervisor: Vanessa Diaz Gaumond, Youth Engagement Coordinator 

Work structure: The internship will be fully on-site with some in state travel to outreach events as needed.

Description

This position will involve work related to communications, policy, and general office support for the Office of the Secretary of State (SOS). The role includes dynamic responsibilities that reflect the fast-paced nature of working within the SOS office. The intern will support the work of the SOS main office staff which includes the Senior Policy Director, Deputy of Communications, Deputy of Community Relations, Youth Programs Coordinator, Executive Assistant to the Secretary, and Secretary Associates. The intern will have the opportunity to focus on areas of interest and projects will be assigned based on identified skill sets, areas of desired growth and learning, and present office needs. This opportunity provides exposure not only to the work of an elected official, but also a variety of careers that support the mission of the Department. 

Example activities

• Administrative office support
• Creating communications materials including social media posts
• Creating outreach materials for various programs
• Attending meetings with The Secretary and other staff
• Attending public facing outreach events with The Secretary and other staff

Supervisor role

• The supervisor plays a key role in the success of the internship and works closely with the intern.
• The supervisor will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the intern, providing mentorship through regular one-on-one meetings and discussion of content with the intern, and reviewing and providing feedback on the deliverables produced by the intern.
• The supervisor will also be responsible for providing opportunities for professional development in coordination with the intern, such as facilitating introductions to relevant professional contacts and providing opportunities for the intern to participate in relevant office activities where appropriate.

About the Office of the Secretary of State

The Department of the Secretary of State touches the lives of virtually every Maine resident. From safeguarding the original Maine State Constitution and preserving millions of precious historic documents, to conducting state elections and testing motor vehicle operators, the broad array of Department functions is unusual and interesting.

In Maine, the Secretary of State oversees one cohesive Department made up of three distinct bureaus: the Maine State Archives, the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions (CEC), and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). As a Constitutional Officer, the Secretary is elected biennially through joint ballot of the Maine State Legislature and is charged with carrying out the Department's diverse responsibilities and unique mission.

Bowdoin Public Service Intern – Town of Bowdoinham

Description

Title: Bowdoin Public Service Fellow – Town of Bowdoinham Planning & Codes

Duration: 10 weeks, full-time (summer) – hybrid (up to 3 days/week remote) with a monthly in person night meeting (second Wednesday of the month).

Role Summary: Support the Town’s Comprehensive Plan/Open Space planning, improve permitting workflows, and expand public access to land-use information through GIS and clear, plain-language resources. The fellowship offers hands-on experience with local government, public engagement, and data-driven decision-making consistent with the internship’s mission.

Desired Skills

To successfully fulfill this role, the following skills and competencies are highly valued:

• GIS and Mapping Expertise - Experience with GIS for creating maps and managing geospatial files.
• Marketing and Public Communication -Strong written and visual communication skills for creating clear, accessible public-facing materials, presentations, and outreach content.
• Regulatory Understanding - Ability to comprehend and summarize local ordinances, permitting processes, and land-use regulations into plain-language guides and checklists.
• AI and Digital Tools -Comfort with emerging technologies, including AI-assisted research and content generation, to enhance efficiency in drafting documents, analyzing data, and creating workflows.
• Workflow Modeling and Process Improvement - Skills in mapping processes, identifying bottlenecks, and designing streamlined workflows for internal operations (e.g., permitting systems).
• Collaboration and Public Engagement - Ability to work effectively with staff, committees, and community members during meetings, surveys, and outreach activities.

Detailed Project Briefs

1. A) Open Space Plan Support (Comprehensive Plan Committee)

Objective:

Build GIS, survey analysis, policy analysis, and public engagement skills while advancing Bowdoinham’s Open Space Plan goals.

The work will include significant community outreach through events, newsletters, social media, and website information to introduce the concept and value of open space planning to residents and collect community feedback to guide and prioritize conservation efforts, recreational opportunities, and identify where commercial and residential development efforts should be directed. Additional engagement opportunities to collect feedback on the draft plan and to promote the plan to the public will be initiated.

Key Tasks & Deliverables:

• Compile base maps and produce 5–7 publication-quality maps.
• Assist with survey design, distribution, and analysis; draft a 3–4 page summary.
• Co-develop 1-2 public meeting slide decks; present portions to the public.
• Create marketing material including posters, newsletter articles, and Facebook posts to promote the planning process

Timeline:

Weeks 1–2 onboarding; Weeks 3–5 survey work; Weeks 6–8 draft report/maps; Weeks 9–10 public meetings.

Training & Tools: The Director of Planning & Development will:

• Orientate the student to Open Space Plan goals
• Provide the student with any existing town resources such as GIS layers, maps, plans, policies, and public input for consideration; and
• Assist the student in compiling a list of community partners and their contacts.

Success Metrics:

Deliverables complete; positive feedback; materials used in meetings.

1. B) Permit Processing Checklist Coversheets (Codes/CEO)

Objective:

Practice process mapping and service design to improve internal efficiency and consistency.

Key Tasks & Deliverables:

• Shadow staff to map workflows for CEO permits and Site Plan reviews.
• Draft one-page coversheet checklists for each permit type.
• Create a work flow for this work in Monday.com or in an excel sheet.

Timeline:

Weeks 1–3 discovery; Weeks 4–6 drafting; Weeks 7–8 pilot; Weeks 9–10 finalize and train.

Training & Tools: Planning Department Staff will:

• Orientate the student to the Land Use Ordinance
• Orientate the student to Monday.com
• Provide the student with any existing town resources such existing drafts check sheets

 Success Metrics:

Staff adoption; reduced rework/incomplete applications.

1. C) Public Resource Guides (CEO)

Objective:

Build policy writing and public communication skills by translating ordinances and application requirements into plain-language guides.

Key Tasks & Deliverables:

• Draft 3 public-facing guides (3–5 pages each) with checklists, timelines, and FAQs.
• Produce companion visuals and web copy version.
• Develop accessibility review.

Timeline:

Weeks 3–7 drafting; Weeks 8–9 review; Week 10 publishing.

Training & Tools: The CEO will:

• Orientate the student to the Land Use Ordinance
• Provide the student with any existing town resources such existing draft documents

Success Metrics:

Guides published; fewer incomplete submissions; positive feedback.

Fellow with the Town of Brunswick – Economic Development 

Fellows with the Town of Brunswick will be exposed to a wide variety of experiences with the Town Clerk’s Office, 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 participates in multi-departmental projects. 

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.  For summer 2026, this may include: 

Brunswick Economic Development Office 

• General learning about and support for economic development projects, likely to include housing, transportation, and business assistance.
• Creating promotional materials to be distributed to various businesses, including Airbnb, in order to promote the community.

Fellow with the Town of Brunswick – Town Clerk

Fellows with the Town of Brunswick will be exposed to a wide variety of experiences with the Town Clerk’s Office, 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 participates in multi-departmental projects. 

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.  For summer 2026, this may include: 

Brunswick Town Clerk’s office 

• Fellow may assist with preparation tasks or complete election-related duties, including entering voter participation data. 
• Review of the Business License Ordinance and Shellfishing Licensing Ordinance. The Fellow can contribute to this project by researching how other communities handle these ordinances and drafting proposed language changes. 
• Creating promotional materials to be distributed to various businesses, including Airbnb, in order to promote the community.

Fellow with the Town of Harpswell

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 updating its 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. 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.  The Fellow will be involved with key staff members including the Town Planner and the Recreation Director.  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.
• Evaluating Town properties, many of which are shorefront, and making suggestions for improvements including signage
• 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 as needed
• 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
• Exploring approaches for preserving access to coastal waters

Town of Topsham

Topsham, Maine 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, collaborate with local citizens 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 Fellow’s 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:

• Develop a Town Local Business Directory and webpage highlighting local businesses
• Organized and compiled existing condition reports of bike and pedestrian infrastructure to develop a patterns of growth map in Topsham
• Assist with updating Topsham’s administrative code
• Assist with the development of an improved format to the Town’s annual report.
• Develop an improved method for disseminating information to the public including introducing a strategy and implementation for social media communication.
• Produce a report on the competitiveness of Topsham’s public safety salaries
• Develop the framework for a capital improvement plan.