Outreach Education Assistant

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 towards a future where birds thrive because Audubon is a powerful, diverse, and ever-growing force for conservation. Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the hemisphere and more than 1.5 million active supporters.

North America has lost three billion birds since 1970, and more than 500 bird species are at risk of extinction across Latin America and the Caribbean. Birds act as early warning systems about the health of our environment, and they tell us that birds – and our planet – are in crisis. Together as one Audubon, we are working to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss. We do this by implementing on-the-ground conservation, partnering with local communities, influencing public and corporate policy, and building community.

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 brings new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

• Position (1) and (2)
  
  • Begins May 1
  • This position includes working at the visitor center as well as assisting with all chores and logistics for the opening & establishment of Seabird Island Field Camps.
• Position (3)
  
  • Begins mid-May

• (2) positions - August 31st
• Position (1) - October 31st
  
  • This position includes working at the Visitor Center (5) days/week in September and October.

• Train with Education staff to learn: Audubon and early SI history; how to identify Gulf of Maine seabirds; natural history of the Maine Coast with the goal of working independently as tour interpretive narrator
• Serve as interpreter, field naturalist and store-keeper aboard commercial puffin-watching tours departing from New Harbor and Boothbay Harbor to Eastern Egg Rock, offshore in Muscongus Bay
• Train with the Project Puffin Visitor Center (PPVC) Manager to learn: the operation of the point-of-sale system; Visitor Center interpreter, PPVC education programs and inventory management procedures
• Maintain inventory and sell books and seabird-related items aboard the commercial tours and at the PPVC
• Assist in writing social media posts
• Assist with implementing educational and birding programs
• Promote SI’s mission, and encourage tour participants and PPVC visitors to financially support the program by soliciting donation
• Participate in Hog Island and/or Seabird Institute educational programming; process sales at Hog Island store as needed
• Assist mainland staff with logistics, which includes driving to boat docks, bus and limo stops as needed
• Assist mainland-based staff with procurement of supplies, packing groceries, research supplies and mail-in waterproof island transport bags; cleaning and filling water jugs for resupplying research stations, etc.
• Greet and guide new Seabird Institute volunteers. Help them with shopping and packing of supplies for the remote island field camps
• Work with Island Research Coordinator and additional staff in early/mid-May to assist in set-up of Field Camps on offshore seabird nesting islands
• Ensure shared housing facility is properly and consistently maintained and cleaned

• Pursuing bachelor’s degree, already hold a degree, or 2+ years experience in Environmental Education, Environmental Studies, Biology, or similar background
• Previous experience in environmental education, bird-watching, and/or teaching public programs is desirable
• Awareness of Microsoft Office applications
• Must be able to spend up to 3 hours at sea (on boats) and withstand rough sea conditions
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to write clearly
• Must be able to climb over rugged terrain and lift approximately 30 lbs.
• Must possess a valid driver's license, as well as, have familiarity with the use of binoculars
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Familiarity with spotting scopes, point-of-sale register system, and camping equipment is desirable