Eco-Leadership Corps 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 2023 Eco-Leadership Corps will engage selected high school interns in eight weeks of compensated conservation leadership development while exploring and enhancing the 285-acre Greenwich Audubon Main Sanctuary, as well as several offsite locations of conservation interest. The internship is a temporary role and is paid at the rate of $15-$17 per hour.

Corps interns will study New England ecology with Audubon naturalists, improve bird habitat through hands-on learning of land stewardship practices, and develop curriculum for use in Audubon programs throughout the region. Eco-Leadership Corps Interns will also represent diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Each week, Eco-Leadership Corps interns focus their learning on a particular element of the environment that interests them, developing lesson plans for delivery to K-5th grade participants in the Greenwich Audubon Summer Nature Day Camp. Corps interns will hone their creativity and program design skills as they construct culturally relevant grade-school lessons for Audubon field trips, in-school outreach and partners across CT and NY.

This role is on-site, and based out of the Greenwich Audubon Center, in Greenwich, CT.

Compensation:

$15.00 - $17.00 / hour

Essential Functions

Intern Responsibilities and Learning Objectives

• Work with other interns to identify ecology topics of study through exploration of the Greenwich Audubon Center sanctuary property.
• Design and execute a land stewardship project, improving bird habitat or enhancing public access to existing sanctuary property either on-site or off-site.
• Develop and deliver weekly nature education lessons to campers in the Audubon Summer Nature Day Camp.
• Visit and connect with other nature centers and areas of conservation importance to learn about other local ecology and conservation efforts and bring that knowledge back to the center community.

Internship BenefitsInterns will gain experience and knowledge in the following:

• Advancing leadership and public speaking skills.
• In tandem with the Teacher Naturalists and Intern Coordinator, identifying land stewardship opportunities of high impact for local birds and wildlife, and conducting land management at the site to achieve these goals.
• Designing and implementing nature lessons for grade-school camp programs with planned results, measurable outcomes, and assessments.

Intern Schedule:
Interns will work Monday-Friday from 9 am to 3 pm,

Projected Start Date:
June 28th, 2023, and projected end date is August 19th, 2023.

Qualifications and Experience

• Interest in nature, and a desire to learn.
• Entering 11th or 12th grade.
• Strong work ethic.
• Comfort using craft materials and computer programs such as Microsoft Word to create teaching materials.
• Ability to walk trails on uneven terrain, and must be able to run, sit, stand, grasp, lift, carry, walk, push, reach, climb, and pull for short and extended periods of time.
• Able to work outdoors in the heat of summer and during rain.
• Must be willing to have temperature checks performed each day and receive Covid-19 testing, possibly several times throughout the summer.
• Travel assistance may be available if needed.
• Work permits may be required for candidates under 18 years of age as a condition of employment.

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.