Seasonal Invasive Species Management Internship

Seasonal Invasive Species Management Internship Job Posting at Audubon Community Nature Center, Jamestown NY 

Salary: Part-time, hourly $16/hour, 150 hours in total

Benefits Include: Discounts on ACNC services, sick time

Schedule: Days/hours may vary from week to week depending on weather and need

General Description

ACNC Seasonal Invasive Species Management Interns work onsite to remove Water Chestnut, an aquatic invasive species, and support other invasive species treatments. Invasive Management Interns will work with ACNC Volunteer Coordinator to recruit volunteers and oversee all hand-pulls and treatments of Water Chestnut within the ACNC property. Work to remove additional aquatic and land-based invasive species may also take place if time.

Additional responsibilities include properly maintaining ACNC equipment and cleaning up after hand-pulls. Assistants will also be asked to take photos of their progress, document the number of plants removed, hours worked, and present an end-of-year summary of work.

Invasive species identification and removal information to be provided at the beginning of the season. Prior experience is not required but is preferred.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age
• Able to work independently and with a team
• Understanding of and appreciation for safe methods to work around and in water
• In good physical condition, willing and able to work outside in all weather and in up to 4.5 feet of water while wearing chest waders, able to lift up to 40 lbs.
• Interest in, comfort in, and knowledge of the natural world
• Enthusiasm for learning and sharing information with others

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Audubon Community Nature Center
• Experience overseeing, and or working with volunteers
• Detail-oriented
• Previous experience removing Water Chestnut, a floating aquatic non-native, invasive species
• Experience and/or comfort using kayaks and or canoes

Organization Overview

Audubon Community Nature Center’s (ACNC) mission is to build and nurture connections between people and nature by providing positive outdoor experiences, opportunities to learn about and understand the natural world, and knowledge to act in environmentally responsible ways.

ACNC is located at 1600 Riverside Rd in Jamestown, New York, close to the border of Pennsylvania. The 12,000 square-foot Nature Center building hosts exhibits, live animals, gift shop, classroom space, offices, and restrooms. The 570-acre grounds host more than six miles of trails which include a variety of bridges, observation towers, overlooks, and photo blinds. A year-round staff of eight full-time and three-part time staff currently oversee the programs and operations. Temporary/seasonal staff are hired to help facilitate programs and manage invasive species throughout the winter and summer months. Over 14,000 visitors use the trails each year, in addition to thousands of students on field trips, at Summer Day Camps, and other programs. Seasonal festivals, in addition to other events, attract visitors from the tri-state area throughout the year. 

Audubon educators provide more than 1,000 programs each year that are designed to fulfill ACNC’s vision of creating real and healthy connections to nature for all children from within the local community.

ACNC is an equal opportunity employer. Its board and staff are committed to supporting and implementing IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) principles throughout the organization.

Details

Wage: $16/hour, no benefits
Timeframe: June through August; Hours will vary based on scheduled activities, weather, and intensity of Water Chestnut infestation
150 hours in total: Some weeks of work will be more intense than others based on weather and scheduled volunteer Water Chestnut pulls.

To Apply: Please send a resume, cover letter, and three references to:
ACNC – Invasive Species Management Project
1600 Riverside Road
Jamestown, NY 14701
or email kfinch@auduboncnc.org with “Application for Seasonal Invasive Species Management Interns” as the subject line.