Conservation Internship: Bird-friendly Maple

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

Audubon Vermont seeks an applicant pursuing, or having recently completed a degree in conservation, natural resources, forestry, ecology, ornithology, and related fields to serve as the Bird-Friendly Maple Intern. The person in this position will work with Audubon Vermont’s Forester and Senior Conservation Biologist on a variety of projects specific to the Bird-Friendly Maple program.

The applicant will participate in ongoing conservation projects, and gain valuable experience interacting with professional biologists, educators, and leadership at Audubon, as well as with other environmental professionals in Vermont. This position will contribute to the goals of Audubon Vermont by supporting one or more strategic conservation program areas including Working Lands and Climate.

The position will occur during the summer of 2023 (May-August) with a time frame that can be adapted to meet a variety of academic schedules. Applicants must commit to working 200 hours over this time period.

Compensation:

$15.00 / hour

Essential Functions

• Conduct maple sugarbush inventories and habitat assessments for maple producers through the Bird-Friendly Maple program. This includes communications and scheduling site visits with landowners, interacting with landowners and collecting data during site visits, and writing follow-up reports to be provided to landowners.
• Depending on interest and experience level, additional opportunities may include monitoring Vermont forest bird species of conservation concern in participating sugarbushes and conducting public outreach.
• Draft factsheets, blogs, webpage and/or social media content, and other outreach materials to support Audubon Vermont’s conservation programs.

Additional tasks and projects may include the following:

• Conduct bird monitoring at maple sugarbushes currently enrolled in the Bird-Friendly Maple program.
• Participate in outreach activities, which may include bird walks, workshops and special events.
• Attend meetings with public officials, environmental leaders, scientists and volunteers to support Audubon Vermont’s participation and contributions.
• Opportunities to participate in other Audubon Vermont conservation projects including the Green Mountain Audubon Center MAPS bird banding station, Common Tern Recovery Project, and Peregrine Falcon and Bald Eagle monitoring.

Qualifications and Experience

Personal Attributes:

• Self-starter and ability to work independently, including operating in remote situations.
• Strong work ethic.
• Dedicated and excited about working in a dynamic, fast-paced nonprofit organization.
• Appetite for learning and growth.

Primary Qualifications:

• Working toward or a recent graduate of a bachelor’s or higher degree in conservation, forestry, natural resources, environmental studies or related field.
• Familiarity with or willingness to learn about the management of, and silviculture systems used in, New England forests, with a particular focus on maple sugarbushes.
• Familiarity with natural resource inventory techniques.
• Familiarity with, and basic identification skills of, Vermont’s forest birds (by sight and sound) as well as tree, and shrub species (including non-native plant species).
• Working knowledge of ArcGIS.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Well organized and an ability to focus on details.
• Genuine interest in environmental protection, conservation, education, the mission of the National Audubon Society, and social and environmental justice.
• Ability to work safely outdoors in a variety of challenging conditions, including operating independently.
• Own transportation and valid driver’s license. Willingness to drive up to 2 hours to reach field sites.

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.