Posted in Other 5 days ago.
Location: Huntington, Vermont
The Junior Conservation Technician Program (JCT) is a paid service-learning opportunity for high school students to explore careers in conservation through hands-on learning and projects at the Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington, VT. JCTs will learn from and work outdoors alongside Vermont conservation heroes. This program is best for teens who are looking to gain a deeper understanding of environmental conservation through field work, trail improvements, habitat restoration, priority species monitoring, and more. The JCT cohort is made up of twelve students and led by our Youth Conservation Leadership Coordinator and Youth Leadership Intern. We meet for 150 hours over a 6-month period (January-June) during school breaks, the beginning of summer break, and occasional weekends as well as virtually in between our on-site days. JCT’s will work outdoors in all seasons on a variety of projects including but not limited to: trail improvements, basic carpentry projects, priority bird species monitoring, habitat restoration, forestry assessment, collecting data for community science initiatives, environmental education with vacation camps, and more!
We are looking for teens with interests in:
Wildlife and habitat conservation
Outdoor/environmental education
Science communications and art
Building naturalist skills (wildlife and plant identification, wildlife tracking, wild edibles, etc.)
Building teamwork and leadership skills
Spending time outdoors
Learn more here: https://vt.audubon.org/conservation/JCT.
This position is designed to provide a range of programmatic experiences with a focus on environmental education, conservation action, and inspiring the next generation of conservation professionals.
This role is on-site, based out of the Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington, VT.
JCTs will work a total of 150 hours between January-June, which amounts to about 25-30 hours/month. JCTs are expected to commit to the full program schedule. There will be 4 hours of virtual learning between in-person workdays – virtual learning can be flexible depending on the JCT schedule as they will be recorded. See schedule below.
Orientation: January 25 & 26, 9am-3pm
Virtual learning: Winter Bird ID and Bird-Friendly Maple
February break: February 24-27, 9am-4:30pm
Sugar on Snow prep: March 8, 9am-3:30pm
Sugar on Snow Parties: TBD (weekend in late March)
Virtual learning: Plants for Birds, Invasive Species, and Guest Speakers
April break: April 21-24, 9am-4:30pm
Virtual learning: Spring Bird ID Review
Birdathon: May 17, 7am-12pm (Full morning of birding and finding as many species as possible)
Virtual learning: Conservation Action at Home and Guest Speakers
June dates: June 16-20, 23-27 from 8am-3:30pm
NOTE: JCTs in person Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the last two weeks in June. Monday and Friday are typically virtual learning days or independent project days.
Friday, June 27 is our last day and in person.
Show up each day ready to be an active participant in the program.
Follow expectations and rules outlined by the Junior Conservation Technician Handbook.
Track time and enter timesheets through Workday in a timely manner.
Unplug from your phone during the program unless using it for identification, community science, or photos.
Collect data that will help biologists understand how wildlife and plants are responding to climate change.
Improve bird habitat at the Green Mountain Audubon Center through invasive species removal, native plantings, assessments, and species monitoring.
Work with staff to design education materials, such as species guides for the Green Mountain Audubon Center.
Articulate the missions of the National Audubon Society and Audubon Vermont to the community.
Share knowledge of bird-friendly forestry and maple sugaring during our community-wide Sugar on Snow events.
Partner/Collaborate/Assist with Audubon staff to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.
Interns will gain experience and knowledge in the following:
Ongoing mentorship from our Youth Conservation Leadership Program Coordinator during and after the program.
Virtual learning sessions aimed at improving identification skills and hearing from conservation professionals about their work, career journey, and opportunities to get involved.
A network of professional biologists, educators, and advocates within the National Audubon Society.
Natural history knowledge including plant and wildlife species identification.
Field work experience in invasive species removal, forestry assessments, bird-friendly maple sugaring, native plantings, bird monitoring, etc.
An understanding of bird-friendly management practices for forests, grasslands, and wetlands/riparian areas.
Teaching elementary-aged vacation day campers maple sugaring, wildlife tracking, and other seasonal topics.
Transferrable professional skills (i.e. time management, time tracking, resume and cover letter writing, etc.)
Connection to the Serve Learn Earn workforce collaborative that includes Vermont Works for Women, ReSource VT, and Vermont Youth Conservation Corps.
Conservation actions for birds that can be brought to your own community.
Must be able to commit to ALL in-person days.
Must have an interest in learning about/participating in environmental conservation, bird-friendly land management practices, environmental education, and naturalist skills.
Able to work in a team or individually.
Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
Demonstrated personal commitment to and experience in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Including experience and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
Excitement about doing physical work outside for full day in a variety of weather conditions including cold, snow, heat, and rain. Accommodations available if needed.
Reliable transportation to Audubon Vermont. This work will require coming to Audubon Vermont’s office in Huntington, VT, which is a rural location. The nearest bus stop is 10 miles away. If you do not have reliable transportation, but believe you are a strong candidate, please apply.
Able to lift 50lbs (with accommodation).
Able to hike up to five miles at a time. We will be moving around the Green Mountain Audubon Center for projects and monitoring.
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.
Audubon’s state programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action.
Since 1905, Audubon’s vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization.
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