The National Audubon Society is hiring a
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.
We are excited to invite teens to join the second cohort of our Junior Conservation Technician (JCT) Program. This is a paid program for 9th-12th graders who are looking to gain a deeper understanding of environmental conservation and want hands-on experience working in the field. Junior Conservation Technicians will learn from and work outdoors alongside local Vermont conservation heroes! We are looking for teens who are excited and able to commit part of their February, April, and summer breaks plus one weekend in March and May to this program. JCT’s will work outdoors in all seasons on projects at the Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington, VT.
Compensation:
We are seeking teens interested in learning about conservation and participating in projects that help birds and other wildlife inhabiting the Green Mountain Audubon Center. Projects may include, but are not limited to: bird banding, bird-friendly forest management practices, maple sugaring, trail maintenance, collecting data for community science initiatives, caretaking native plant gardens, working with campers and the public, and removing invasive species.
We are looking for people with interests in:
• Outdoor/environmental education
• Wildlife and habitat conservation
• Science/nature writing and communications
• Learning naturalist skills (Wildlife and plant ID, animal tracking, etc.)
• Teaching and mentoring younger kids
• Building teamwork and leadership skills
What you will learn and work on:
• Learn from Audubon’s foresters while monitoring forestry plots at the Green Mountain Audubon Center.
• Improve your tree identification skills and dig into bird friendly forest management, as well as maple sugarbush management strategies.
• Aid a wildlife biologist in banding birds at the Green Mountain Audubon Center and learn why the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship program is important.
• Learn how to identify and remove invasive plant species to enhance bird habitat at the Green Mountain Audubon Center.
• Collect data that will help scientists understand how wildlife and plants are responding to climate change through community science initiatives.
• Serve as an assistant naturalist for Ecology and Nature Day camps (Ex. leading pond scooping and amphibian identification for campers).
• Lead conservation projects for campers during the Junior Conservation Crew camp week for campers ages 8-10.
• Be a part of a team and learn transferrable professional skills like resume building, working as part of a team, public speaking, and leadership.
• Share knowledge of bird-friendly forest management and maple sugaring during Audubon Vermont’s sugaring events (Sugar on Snow Parties).
• Must have an interest in learning about environmental conservation, bird-friendly conservation practices, environmental education, and naturalist skills.
• Participants must be able to commit to the following schedule from 9am –3pm each day:
o February break dates: Monday February 27th, Tuesday the 28th, and Wednesday March 1st
o March 24th and 25th - Sugar on Snow during Vermont’s Maple Open House Weekend
o April break dates: Monday April 24th, Tuesday the 25th, and Wednesday 26th
o Saturday May 20th
o June 20th-23rd (Tuesday-Friday) and 26th – June 30th (Monday-Friday)
• Must be excited about doing physical work for full days outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including cold, snow, heat and rain.
• This job is physical in nature, applicants must be able to stand for long periods of time, lift up to 50 pounds with or without accommodation, and hike around the Center.
• Must be a team player but also excited to work individually on projects.
• Must have reliable transportation to and from the Center on work days.
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.
All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.