Youth Conservation Leadership Intern

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 towards a future where birds thrive because Audubon is a powerful, diverse, and ever-growing force for conservation. Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the hemisphere and more than 1.5 million active supporters.

North America has lost three billion birds since 1970, and more than 500 bird species are at risk of extinction across Latin America and the Caribbean. Birds act as early warning systems about the health of our environment, and they tell us that birds – and our planet – are in crisis. Together as one Audubon, we are working to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss. We do this by implementing on-the-ground conservation, partnering with local communities, influencing public and corporate policy, and building community.

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 brings new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

We are excited to bring on our first Youth Leadership Intern! This position will support our Youth Conservation Leadership Program, specifically the Junior Conservation Technician Program and Audubon Vermont Alumni Network. The Junior Conservation Technician Program is a paid service-learning opportunity for high schoolers to explore careers in conservation through hands-on experience at the Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington, VT. (Learn more here: https://vt.audubon.org/conservation/JCT). Our Alumni Network includes past interns, Audubon campus chapter members, AmeriCorps members, seasonal staff, and fellows. This internship is designed to provide a range of administrative and programmatic experiences with a focus on environmental education and supporting the next generation of conservation professionals.

This is an on-site role based at the Green Mountain Audubon Center/Audubon Vermont in Huntington, VT.

Compensation:

$16.00 / hour

Intern Responsibilities and Learning Objectives
The intern will work alongside our Youth Conservation Leadership Coordinator to:

• Plan and lead projects for high school aged Junior Conservation Technicians in and around the Green Mountain Audubon Center such as trail maintenance, basic carpentry projects, bird banding, invasive species removal, phenology monitoring, forestry assessments, and more!
• Mentor Junior Conservation Technicians.
• Write Junior Conservation Technician blog posts for our website.
• Develop and deliver programs or projects for teens and Audubon alumni in-line with Audubon Vermont operations.
• Coordinate and facilitate an alumni event.
• Help collect data such as quotes, project impacts, and photos for grantors that highlight the success of the Youth Conservation Leadership Program.
• Debrief and give feedback on the Junior Conservation Technician Program and Youth Conservation Leadership Program.

• This position is best suited to a self-driven individual who has experience in education (formal or informal) and working with high school students and can bring a creative edge to natural history interpretation and conservation projects.
• Course work that focuses on conservation, environmental education, biology, natural history, natural resource management, forestry or a major in education with an interest in alternative forms of education.
• Minimum 3-months experience directly working with children. Applicants with high school aged experience preferred.
• Experience or knowledge of community science apps such as Merlin Bird ID, eBird, iNaturalist, and Nature’s Notebook.
• Must be excited about teaching and doing physical work for full days outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including cold, snow, heat, and rain.
• Experience and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Reliable transportation to Audubon Vermont. This work will require coming to Audubon Vermont’s office in Huntington, VT, which is a rural location. The nearest bus stop is 10 miles away. If you do not have reliable transportation but believe you are a strong candidate, please apply.
• Event planning and basic carpentry skills are a plus.
• Able to lift 50lbs (with accommodation).

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.

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users.  If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.