Outreach Education Assistant

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.

Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

The Outreach Education Assistant represents the Seabird Institute (SI) to the public as a narrator aboard puffin watching cruises, and as a greeter and interpreter at the Project Puffin Visitor Center in Rockland, Maine (PPVC). Outreach Education Assistants bring the story of SI’s 50-year history to children, adults, and families, and help people to understand the necessity for this applied conservation work, as well as to inspire them to become personally involved in conservation action as donors and citizen activists.

Shared housing may be provided and is located at Audubon's Todd Wildlife Sanctuary, located at 12 Audubon Road, in Bremen, Maine.

There are (3) full-time seasonal positions available as detailed below:

Start Dates:

• Position (1)
  
  • Begins early May 1, 2023
  • This position includes working at the visitor center as well as assisting with all chores and logistics for the opening & establishment of Seabird Island Field Camps.
• Position (2) and (3)
  
  • Begin mid-May

End Dates:

• (2) positions - August 31st
• Position (1) - October 31st
  
  • This position includes working at the Visitor Center (5) days / week in September and October.

FOOD and HOUSING can be provided by Audubon.

Compensation:

$34,125 / year

• Train with Education staff to learn: Audubon and early SI history; how to identify Gulf of Maine seabirds; natural history of the Maine Coast with the goal of working independently as tour interpretive narrator.
• Serve as interpreter, field naturalist and store-keeper aboard commercial puffin-watching tours departing from New Harbor and Boothbay Harbor to Eastern Egg Rock, offshore in Muscongus Bay.
• Train with the Project Puffin Visitor Center Manager to learn: operation of point-of-sale system; Visitor Center interpreter, PPVC education programs and inventory management procedures.
• Maintain inventory and sell books and seabird-related items aboard the commercial tours and at Project Puffin Visitor Center.
• Assist in writing social media posts and support weekly Seabird Island News publication.
• Promote SI’s mission, and encourage tour participants and PPVC visitors to financially support the Program.
• Participate in Hog Island and/or Seabird Institute educational programming; process sales at Hog Island store as needed.
• Assist mainland staff with logistics, which includes driving to boat docks, bus and limo stops as needed.
• Assist mainland-based staff with procurement of supplies, packing groceries, research supplies and mail in waterproof island transport bags; cleaning and filling water jugs for resupplying research stations, etc.
• Greet and guide new Seabird Institute volunteers. Help them with shopping and packing of supplies for the remote island field camps.
• Work with Island Research Coordinator and additional staff in early/mid-May to assist in set-up of Field Camps on offshore seabird nesting islands.
• Ensure shared housing facility is properly and consistently maintained and cleaned.

• Pursuing bachelor’s degree, already hold a degree, or 2+ years experience in Environmental Education, Environmental Studies, Biology or similar background,
• Previous experience in environmental education, bird-watching, and/or teaching public programs is desirable.
• Awareness of Microsoft Office applications.
• Must be able to spend up to 3 hours at sea (on boats) and withstand rough sea conditions.
• Excellent communications skills with ability to write clearly.
• Must be able to climb over rugged terrain and lift approximately 30 lbs.
• Must possess a valid driver's license, as well as, familiarity using binoculars.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Familiarity with spotting scopes, point-of-sale register system, camping equipment is desirable.

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

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All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.