Internships

Mass Audubon offers a variety of exciting volunteer and internship opportunities for people of all interests, ages, and experience levels. Volunteers and interns greatly assist the Society in delivering its mission of conservation, education, and advocacy, and provide an important link to the community. They also gain invaluable experience in their fields of interest, whether for pleasure or career advancement.

Advocacy

Advocacy Intern
Location: Beacon Hill

Position Summary: To support the Legislative Affairs staff with tasks related to lobbying and work on environmental legislation.

Reporting to the Assistant to the Director of Public Policy & Government Relations, activities may include delivery of testimony and letters to state house, attendance at House and Senate sessions, and specialized projects. Also assists with administrative work (copying, printing, mailing, etc.). Assumes other responsibilities as requested by the Director of Public Policy and Government Relations and the Legislative Director.

Qualifications: College student with excellent writing, verbal communication, planning, and organizational skills. Must represent Mass Audubon in a professional manner. Campaign education or work experience with legislative process, non-governmental organizations, or government agencies a plus. Demonstrated interest in conservation and environment.

To inquire about this position:
Send resume and cover letter to:
Christina McDermott
advocacy@massaudubon.org

Internships are unpaid. Hours per week and start and end date are flexible. We are currently taking applications for summer 2010.

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Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary

Outreach Intern (10-15 hrs/week)
Location: Dartmouth, MA

The Outreach Intern will work closely with sanctuary staff and volunteers (May-August) on several environmental outreach projects and fundraisers at Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary in Dartmouth, MA. The sanctuary encompasses a barrier beach, a large coastal salt pond, and forested uplands at a rural location in southeastern Massachusetts. The internship will consist largely of environmental outreach projects with opportunities for participation in ecological projects and field work.

Responsibilities include regularly updating sanctuary visitor kiosks and signs, designing visitor displays and helping to plan a fundraising event in mid-August. Intern will also present displays at the local farmers’ markets. The internship start/end dates are flexible beginning in June and running steadily into August. Students seeking experience working for a non-profit environmental organization are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications: Individuals with a background in environmental studies, art, graphic design, writing or related field, preferred. Applicants must have strong writing and communication skills. Experience creating public displays and posters is helpful. Requirements include strong interpersonal skills, flexibility, creativity, self-motivation, and ability to move materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Interns should be comfortable working independently, as well as part of the sanctuary team. Interns will be responsible for the care and use of various tools, equipment, and additional duties as requested.

Benefits: This is an unpaid internship. No housing provided but some assistance given to locate affordable options.

To inquire about this position:
Send cover letter, resume, and names of two references to:
Becky Cushing, Volunteer Coordinator
Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary
1280 Horseneck Road
Westport, MA 02790
allenspond@massaudubon.org

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Plant Intern (10-25 hrs/week)
Location: Dartmouth, MA

The Plant Intern will work closely with sanctuary staff and volunteers (May-August) on several ecological projects at Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary in Dartmouth, MA. The sanctuary encompasses a barrier beach, a large coastal salt pond, and forested uplands at a rural location in southeastern Massachusetts. The internship will consist largely of field work and data management with opportunities for participation in outreach projects.

Responsibilities include assisting with grassland, shrubland and salt marsh habitat restoration projects and invasive species removal. Intern will work with Property Manager on mapping invasive plant species and applying invasive species control methods. He/she will work independently maintaining trails, in the Butterfly Garden or on other sanctuary beautification efforts as needed. Opportunities to assist with census of endangered plants.

The internship start/end dates are flexible beginning in May and running steadily into August. Students seeking a field experience or multi-year research project are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications: Individuals with background in environmental studies, biology, or related field, preferred. Applicants must be in good physical condition and communicate well with the public. Requirements include strong interpersonal skills, flexibility, self-motivation, and ability to move materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, walk long distances over rough terrain, and spend long days in the field regardless of weather conditions. Interns should be comfortable working independently, as well as part of the sanctuary team. Interns will be responsible for the care and use of various tools, equipment, and additional duties as requested

Benefits: This is an unpaid internship. No housing provided but some assistance given to locate affordable options.

To inquire about this position:
Send cover letter, resume, and names of two references to:
Becky Cushing, Volunteer Coordinator
Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary
1280 Horseneck Road
Westport, MA 02790
allenspond@massaudubon.org

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Wildlife Intern (10-25 hrs/week)
Location: Dartmouth, MA

The Wildlife Intern will work closely with sanctuary staff and volunteers (May-August) on several ecological projects at Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary in Dartmouth, MA. The sanctuary encompasses a barrier beach, a large coastal salt pond, and forested uplands at a rural location in southeastern Massachusetts. The internship will consist largely of field work and data management with opportunities for participation in outreach projects.

Responsibilities include surveying beaches for breeding bird activity, erecting and maintaining protective fencing, Diamondback Terrapin searching, Bluebird Nestbox monitoring, entering field data, talking with sanctuary visitors about endangered species conservation, and preparing and displaying educational materials at a public event. The internship start/end dates are flexible beginning in May and running steadily into August. Students seeking a field experience or multi-year research project are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications: Individuals with background in environmental studies, biology, or related field, preferred. Applicants must be in good physical condition and communicate well with the public. Requirements include strong interpersonal skills, flexibility, self-motivation, and the ability to move materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, walk long distances over rough terrain, and spend long days in the field regardless of weather conditions. Interns should be comfortable working independently as well as part of the sanctuary team. Interns will be responsible for the care and use of various tools, equipment, and additional duties as requested.

Benefits: This is an unpaid internship. No housing provided but assistance given to locate affordable options.

To inquire about this position:
Send cover letter, resume, and names of two references to:
Becky Cushing, Volunteer Coordinator
Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary
1280 Horseneck Road
Westport, MA 02790
allenspond@massaudubon.org

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Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary

6-month Crops Apprenticeships
Location: Lincoln, MA

Drumlin Farm is a Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuary and educational farm with a mixed vegetable and livestock operation. Each season we offer six Crops Apprenticeships that begin between April and June, and run through the end of October. What distinguishes our apprentice program from that of other farms is the exposure we offer to a wide variety of marketing techniques. We attend two Boston farmers’ markets per week, stock a farmstand each day, operate summer and winter CSAs, and make and market our own pesto.

Apprentices participate in all methods of selling the food they help grow. In the field, apprentices work closely with the Crops Manager and learn how to maintain soil health, control pests and weeds, and grow a variety of veggies, fruit and flowers. Apprentices also gain management experience as they help organize volunteer, school and summer camp groups. Apprentices deepen their on-farm education by attending meetings of the Collaborative Regional Alliance of Farmer Training (CRAFT) of Eastern Massachusetts. These farm visits allow apprentices to compare the growing practices of different farms.

Qualifications: Applicants should be physically fit, enthusiastic about sustainable agriculture, interested in cooking with the food they grow, willing to share their knowledge with the public, and willing to work with groups of adults and children.

Hours vary with the progression of the season, but average about 50 per week, generally 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. On a rotating schedule, one apprentice per month works Saturday through Wednesday.

Benefits: Apprentices receive a weekly stipend of $250 and housing is available at $25.00 (pre-tax) per week. Apprentices receive a share of the fruit, veggies, eggs, meat (when available), and pesto produced on the farm.

To inquire about this position:
Please send or email a cover letter and resume to:
Matt Celona, Crops Manager
Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary
208 South Great Road
Lincoln, MA 01773
mcelona@massaudubon.org
781.259.2236

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Education

Ecological Management Interns/Associates
Location: Norfolk, MA

Seeking Ecological Management Interns/Associates to aid in the implementation of our management plan. Responsibilities include: Assisting in wildlife surveys, water quality monitoring, aquatic plants surveys, invasive plants management, designing interpretive materials and more. Activities vary according to season. Flexible hours and college credit possible.

Qualifications: Must have completed sophomore year in college with course work in Biology, Environmental Science or related field.

Benefits: Housing is not available.

To inquire about this position:
Send a resume, cover letter and list of 3 references to
Doug Williams, Director
Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
108 North Street
Norfolk, MA 02056
dougwilliams@massaudubon.org
508-528-3140 x125

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Environmental Education Intern
Location: Wenham, MA

Assist with coastal science program focusing on study of phragmites on salt marshes with middle and high school teachers and students. Participate in field studies, teacher workshops, and curriculum development and improvement; perform office tasks, write press releases, and design web pages. Computer skills, teaching experience with this age group preferable. Flexibility, willingness to learn, and ability to work cooperatively and independently desired. Flexible hours and work study possible.

To inquire about this position:
Send cover letter, resume, and references to:
Elizabeth Duff, Education Coordinator
Massachusetts Audubon Society
346 Grapevine Road
Wenham, MA 01984

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Information Technology

Web Intern
Location: Lincoln, MA

As the Mass Audubon Web Intern, you will help shape the website content and structure for New England’s largest environmental organization. You will work as part of the web team on projects including:

• handcoding HTML updates
• planning, designing and creating new website sections and user features
• formatting images and multimedia files

This internship offers a flexible schedule with an eight-hour a week minimum commitment. The position is not paid, but we are happy to work with any academic requirements the intern may have, to help them earn college credit for their efforts.

The successful candidate can expect to acquire:

• Professional web production experience
• Resume-building connections and references
• Academic credit, by working with your academic institution‘s internship program

Qualifications:

Essential:

• Strong skills handcoding HTML
• Knowledge of Photoshop‘s web graphics tools
• Can-do attitude
• Familiarity with Windows computers
• Professional, responsible demeanor

Helpful:

• Knowledge of PHP and MySQL, and experience with a LAMP environment
• Image scanning and retouching expertise

Benefits: This is an unpaid internship.

To inquire about this position:
Please email a cover letter and resume in MS Word or PDF format, with a subject of “Web Internship Inquiry” to:

Louise Grindrod
Mass Audubon
208 S Great Rd
Lincoln, MA 01773
lgrindrod@massaudubon.org

Please include links to examples of your skills.

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Joppa Flats Education Center

Education Intern
Location: Newburyport, MA

The Education Intern works one-on-one with the Teacher Naturalist of School, Family & Youth Programs with the implementation of a variety of ecology-based family programs that will be offered both onsite at the Joppa Flats Education Center and on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island. Themes may include coastal ecology, marine biology, awareness & stewardship, bird migration, endangered species, and energy conservation.

Create monthly self-guided kits for visitors that includes games, experiments, outdoor exploration, and crafts.

Assist on family and youth programs such as beach walks, salt marsh treks, on-the-river ecology cruises, and drop-in family programs.

Assist staff in the research, preparation, set up and clean up of education programs.

Develop program materials such as posters, promotional flyers, activity kits, teaching handouts, & signage for an enhanced visitor experience.

Organize a loaning system and create inventory lists for books, curriculum and activity kits.

Assist in ensuring the safety of all participants and other volunteers.

Qualifications:

Ability to work with people of all ages, interests and backgrounds.

Experience organizing programs or activities for children preferred.

Experience with outdoor activities such as birding, hiking, canoeing, etc. preferred.

Demonstrates creativity, reliability, and enthusiasm.

Needs strong oral and written communication skills.

Commitment: 10-12 weeks
Hours: 15-30 per week
Days: Flexible, some weekend work

Benefits: This is an unpaid internship.

To inquire about this position:
Send resume and cover letter to:
Lisa Hutchings, Teacher Naturalist
Joppa Flats Education Center
Newburyport, MA 01950
lhutchings@massaudubon.org
(978) 462-9998 ext. 6804

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