Coastal Outreach Intern

Overview

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.

Position Summary

The Seasonal Coastal Outreach Internship is a great opportunity to learn how to help reduce disturbances to beach-nesting and migratory shorebirds. Audubon New York launched the “Be a Good Egg” outreach campaign in 2013. We use education, social marketing, and citizen science to decrease human threats to shorebirds and seabirds. We target areas where human disturbance has been a threat to beach-nesting birds and/or there is a need for a reduction in human disturbance and/or stronger community support for beach protection measures. We host on-the-beach outreach events to educate beachgoers and encourage them to sign a pledge to share the shore with beach-nesting birds. We also host community engagement events, such as tern shelter building, string fencing installation days, and beach clean-ups.

The outreach intern will work with the Outreach Technician to learn about on-the-beach outreach events and how to act as a liaison between birds and beachgoers. They will also learn about the stewardship and monitoring of breeding Piping Plovers, Least Terns, and American Oystercatcher. The Outreach Intern will be required to assist in hosting Be a Good Egg outreach events, talk to beachgoers about beach-nesting bird conservation, walk long distances (up to 5 miles) on sandy and rocky beaches, and carry and use equipment (i.e. binoculars, outreach event supplies, post pounders, fence posts). The intern will write an article about their learning experience with Audubon New York’s Long Island Coast program. This article will be published in our newsletter in the fall.

This is an onsite role based out of the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary Audubon Center (RSAC) in Oyster Bay, NY, and North Shore outreach sites.

Compensation:

$15.00 / hour

Essential Functions

During the internship, you will work with the outreach technician to:

• Assist in planning Be a Good Egg outreach activities.
• Engage and educate beachgoers about beach-nesting birds and their conservation needs.
• Distribute educational and promotional materials to beachgoers.
• Encourage beachgoers to sign a pledge to “share the beach” with beach-nesting birds.
• Set up outreach equipment, including a canopy tent, table, camp chairs, educational materials, and water and snacks for volunteers.
• Use binoculars and/or a spotting scope to locate and/or identify piping plovers, least terns, American oystercatchers, and migratory shorebirds.
• Assist in leading bird walks for the public.
• Enter data into excel and ebird as needed.
• Prepare and organize outreach materials, and other office tasks.
• Assist in leading children’s activities at our outreach events.

Internship Benefits

Interns will gain experience and knowledge in the following:

• Long Island coastal conservation and the protection of Long Island Sound and it’s habitats.
• Public speaking and interaction with the public, public program planning and logistics.
• The stewardship and monitoring of breeding Piping Plovers, Least Terns, and American Oystercatcher. They will learn about how the data determines nest success for threatened and endangered shorebirds.
• How human behavior change can protect threatened and endangered birds, and what those desired behavior changes are.
• Connecting people to nature through conservation messaging for the protection of species and habitat of concern.

Intern Schedule
The candidate chosen for this position will be expected to work 2 days a week, including one weekday and one weekend day. This internship geared towards high school and college students 16 + years old and will run for six weeks. Transportation will be required to the TRSAC in Oyster Bay and to north shore outreach sites.

Qualifications and Experience

• Intern must be 16 or older and have and interest in environmental education, environmental science, biology, or a related field.
• Applicants must have strong communications skills and attention to detail. Applicants should be comfortable engaging and communicating with a diverse public audience and must be willing to work on busy beach days and holiday weekends.
• The ability to speak Spanish and/or other languages is preferred, but not required.
• Ability to work outdoors for long periods in adverse conditions and have a good work ethic. Prior shorebird and/or field experience is not required, but a willingness to learn about beach-nesting bird biology and conservation is.
• Applicants must be able to walk long distances (up to 5 miles), carry equipment (tents, tables, post pounders, fence posts).
• Must have transportation to Oyster Bay and the north shore Long Island field sites in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

EEO Statement

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.

Accessibility Statement

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.

COVID Policy

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