Conservation Science 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

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Conservation Science, the Conservation Science Intern will be responsible for conducting an independent research study that will support the Audubon Great Lakes Conservation Science team.

The Conservation Science Intern will support Audubon scientists, resource managers, and their external partners working together to conserve birds, other wildlife, and their habitats in the Calumet region of Illinois and Indiana. The Conservation Science Intern will work closely with the Quantitative Scientist with Audubon’s National Science Team as well as external partners that are part of the Calumet Compact, the Calumet Marsh Bird Monitoring Program, and the Indiana Marsh Bird Monitoring Program. They will conduct a research study that will investigate the relationship between marsh birds and muskrat dens at wetlands undergoing restoration in Calumet. They will gain educational experience, learning how Audubon scientists conduct and interpret conservation research while working with a broad and diverse team.

This position is funded and administered by Duke University through their Graduate Student Training Enhancement Grant program.

Essential Functions

• Design and lead an independent research study of the impact of muskrat dens on other wildlife within wetlands undergoing various types of restoration
• Deploy wildlife cameras and analyze images
• Lead analysis of muskrat den and marsh bird data
• Attend meetings with Audubon’s Calumet partner meetings, Audubon Great Lakes staff meetings, and engagement events with Wild Indigo or chapters
• Meet one-on-one with various Audubon Great Lakes staff to learn more about their roles and attend job shadowing or training experiences as they may become available
• Provide presentations for partners and the public on research findings
• Create a final report, blog post, or ArcGIS StoryMap summarizing findings that can be shared on Audubon Great Lakes’ website

Qualifications and Experience

• University student in process of seeking PhD
• Must meet all qualifications and experience required by Duke University’s Graduate Student Training Enhancement Grant program.

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

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COVID Policy

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