Maple Sugaring Assistant

National Audubon Society•Huntington, VT

1d•$19•Onsite

About The Position

The Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington, Vermont provides conservation education for schools, families, adults, teachers and the public. The Center also offers a summer day camp program for children ages 3 to 13 with education programs that offer direct experiences in nature. Our programs are outdoors, science-based, interactive, and lead participants to take action to help protect birds, other wildlife and their habitats. The Center conducts scientific research in the form of avian monitoring and is a bird-friendly, land management demonstration site. We have a working, education-based sugarbush that produces between 75 and 100 gallons of bird-friendly syrup each year. Thousands of people visit the sugaring operation annually to learn about bird-friendly maple syrup production.

Requirements

Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to and experience in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
A valid driver’s license to operate Audubon vehicles.
Must have a flexible schedule and be able to work beginning February through mid-April.
Willingness to work outdoors in all types of weather; including rain, sleet, snow etc.
Must have experience using hand and power tools as well as the sugaring equipment.
Able to shovel, chop ice and stack firewood on a regular basis.
Able to lift, reach, climb, push, pull, and gather buckets of sap in foul, cold weather with or without reasonable accommodations.
The ability to maneuver with 50lbs or more on a regular basis, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Able to sustain manual activity and contribute to labor-intensive tasks for long periods, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Self-motivated, detailed-oriented with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Must be knowledgeable about, and committed to, the Audubon mission and the conservation of birds, other wildlife and their habitats.

Nice To Haves

Maple sugaring experience preferred.
Ideal to have experience driving a tractor with a trailer attached.

Responsibilities

Stack and maintain sugarhouse firewood, ensuring a full supply is available for maple syrup production throughout the season.
Prepare taps, buckets, and other equipment for the sugarbush, track tapped trees, monitor bucket and tap condition, and assess tree productivity.
Assist with tapping the sugarbush, including leading volunteers and providing clear instructions on proper tapping techniques.
Prepare and maintain the sugarhouse for syrup production, including cleaning pans, assembling equipment, stacking firewood, wiping counters, and keeping the space tidy and presentable.
Gather sap from approximately 600 trees, including driving a tractor when needed; respond to sap runs promptly, which may occur several consecutive days and any day of the week.
Perform end-of-season cleanup, including removing taps and buckets, washing and stacking equipment, cleaning pans, and ensuring all tools and the sugarhouse are left safe and presentable.
Work with volunteers and visitors throughout the season, including assisting with sap gathering and demonstrations during Sugar-on-Snow events.
Operate and maintain the tractor, routinely checking diesel, oil, and other fluid levels, and report any issues immediately to the Center Director.
Support Sugar-on-Snow Parties (March 21–22) by assisting with demonstrations, visitor engagement, and sap gathering as needed.
Maintain cooperative and productive relationships with all Audubon personnel and perform other duties as assigned related to sugaring operations.