Youth Conservation Intern at National Audubon Society – Huntington, Vermont
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About This Position
Part time
Requisition ID: JR979
About Audubon
The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.
Position Summary:
The Youth Conservation Intern will support our Youth Conservation Leadership Program (YCLP), specifically Counselors-in-Training (CIT), our teen summer camp, as well as program development, field trips, tabling, and events. The intern will co-develop a suite of service-learning lesson plans for students that highlight conservation actions for birds and help advertise these offerings. They will also help lead programming for middle school through college-aged audiences, help recruit and train CITs, collaborate with other interns and AmeriCorps members to host a “Tough Conversations” webinar, and help develop our new Rivers & Ridges Teen Camp.
This internship is designed to provide a range of administrative and programmatic experiences with a focus on environmental education, conservation action, and supporting the next generation of conservation professionals.
Length of Internship: 15 weeks
Hours: About 15-20 hours/week, but during Teen Camp: Rivers & Ridges this will increase to 32 hours if possible.
This role is on-site, based out of the Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington, VT.
Compensation:
$19.00 / hour
Essential Functions:
Intern Responsibilities and Learning Objectives:
Co-lead field trips and outreach programs for middle school, high school and college students.
Help Senior Coordinator of Youth Conservation Leadership research, develop, and package service-learning and credit-earning programs for middle and high school students.
Coordinate and assist in the facilitation of Tough Conversations webinar event with other Audubon Vermont interns and AmeriCorps members.
Table at events, like career fairs, to promote YCLP events and positions.
Help recruit high school CITs as well as co-develop and lead CIT training.
Plan and lead at least one event for our target audience (middle school through college).
Help plan, promote, and lead our new adventure-based teen summer camp, Rivers and Ridges.
Help collect data such as quotes, project impacts, and photos for grantors that highlight the success of YCLP.
Be a mentor and role model teen CITs, campers, and other YCLP participants.
Partner/Collaborate/Assist with Audubon staff to ensure that inclusion and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.
Internship Benefits:
Interns will gain experience and knowledge in the following:
A network of professional biologists, educators, and advocates within the National Audubon Society.
Practical experience teaching and leading high school students in conservation lesson plans and projects.
Natural history knowledge including plant and animal species identification.
The opportunity to join conservation biologists in the field as it fits into the internship schedule. For example, shadowing bird banding or visiting the islands we monitor for Common Terns.
Experience in event planning and facilitation.
Field work including but not limited to the following: invasive species removal, bird-friendly maple sugaring, native plantings, bird monitoring, etc.
Administrative tasks associated with running a successful education program.
Intern Schedule:
The intern will work about 15 hours per week with the exception of the Rivers & Ridges Teen Camp, which will be a 32-hour week. Schedule fluctuates depending on the needs of the program. There are occasional evenings and weekends.
Projected Start/End Date:
April 1, 2026 and projected end date is July 14, 2026.
Qualifications and Experience:
This position is best suited to a self-driven individual who has experience in education (formal or informal) and working with high school students and can bring a creative edge to natural history interpretation and conservation projects.
Course work that focuses on conservation, environmental education, biology, natural history, natural resource management, forestry or a major in education with an interest in alternative forms of education.
Minimum 3-months experience directly working with children. Applicants with high school aged experience preferred.
Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to and experience in advancing inclusion, and belonging.
Experience or knowledge of community science apps such as Merlin Bird ID, eBird, iNaturalist, and Nature’s Notebook.
Must be excited about teaching and doing physical work for full days, outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including cold, snow, heat, and rain.
Experience and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
Reliable transportation to Audubon Vermont is preferred as the nearest bus stop is 10 miles away. Basic carpentry skills (comfortable with hand and power tools).
Able to maneuver with up to 50 lbs with or without accommodation.
Able to traverse up to 5 miles at a time with or without reasonable accommodation.
EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates.
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.
The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at