Coastal Outreach Intern

National Audubon Society•Oyster Bay Cove, NY

18d•$19 - $19•Onsite

About The Position

The Coastal Outreach Internship is a great opportunity to learn how to help reduce disturbances to beach-nesting and migratory shorebirds. Audubon New York launched the “Be a Good Egg” outreach campaign in 2013. We use education, social marketing, and citizen science to decrease human threats to shorebirds and seabirds. We target areas where human disturbance has been a threat to beach-nesting birds and/or there is a need for a reduction in human disturbance and/or stronger community support for beach protection measures. We host on-the-beach outreach events to educate beach-goers and encourage them to sign a pledge to share the shore with beach-nesting birds. We also host community engagement events, such as tern shelter building, string fencing installation days, and beach clean-ups. The Outreach Intern will work with the Outreach Technician to learn about on-the-beach outreach events and how to act as a liaison between birds and beach-goers. They will also learn about the stewardship and monitoring of breeding Piping Plovers, Least Terns, and American Oystercatcher. The Outreach Intern will be required to assist in hosting Be a Good Egg outreach events, talk to beach-goers about beach-nesting bird conservation, traverse long distances (up to 5 miles) on sandy and rocky beaches, and carry and use equipment (i.e. binoculars, outreach event supplies, post pounders, fence posts). The intern will write an article about their learning experience with Audubon New York’s Long Island Coast program. This article will be published in our newsletter in the fall. This is a part-time position and scheduled for 15 hours per week for 5 weeks. This position is classified as on-site based at Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Center in Oyster Bay, NY. This position will require transportation to outreach sites. Compensation: $19.00 / hour

Requirements

Intern must be currently enrolled in a high school or college programand have an interest in environmental education, environmental science, biology, or a related field.
Applicants must have strong communication skills and attention to detail.
Applicants should be comfortable engaging and communicating with a public audience and must be willing to work on busy beach days and holiday weekends.
Ability to work outdoors for long periods in adverse conditions and have a good work ethic.
Prior shorebird and/or field experience is not required, but a willingness to learn about beach-nesting bird biology and conservation is.
Applicants must be able to traverse long distances (up to 5 miles), and carry equipment (tents, tables, post pounders, fence posts).
Must have transportation to Oyster Bay and the north shore Long Island field sites in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Nice To Haves

The ability to speak Spanish and/or other languages is preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

Assist in planning Be a Good Egg outreach activities
Engage and educate beach-goers about beach-nesting birds and their conservation needs
Distribute educational and promotional materials to beach-goers
Encourage beach-goers to sign a pledge to “share the beach” with beach-nesting birds
Set up outreach equipment, including a canopy tent, table, camp chairs, educational materials, and water and snacks for volunteers
Use binoculars and/or a spotting scope to locate and/or identify Piping Plovers, Least Terns, American Oystercatchers, and migratory shorebirds
Assist in leading bird walks for the public
Enter data into Excel and e-bird as needed
Prepare and organize outreach materials, and other office tasks.
Assist in leading children’s activities at our outreach events
Reviewing field camera footage of priority bird species