Youth Conservation Intern

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 planets 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 on Facebook Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.

Position Summary:

The Youth Conservation Intern will support our Youth Conservation Leadership Program (YCLP) specifically the Audubon Youth Naturalist (AYN) Counselors-in-Training (CIT) our teen summer camp as well as field trips tabling and events. The intern will co-develop and lead lesson plans for high school students in our AYN Program on bird conservation plant and bird identification habitat restoration and other natural history topics at the Green Mountain Audubon Center. 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.

The Audubon Youth Naturalist (AYN) is a 4-month opportunity for students in 8th-11th grade to build a strong foundation of naturalist and interpretative skills while exploring a variety of local ecosystems. The program is based at the Green Mountain Audubon Center with one excursion to Camels Hump and an overnight at the Center.

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: 20 weeks starting February 17 2026 and ending July 10 2026.

Location: This role is on-site based at Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington VT

Hours: About 15 hours/week when AYNs are not on-site.

Compensation:

$19.00 / hour

Essential Functions:

Intern Responsibilities and Learning Objectives:

• Plan and lead lessons for high school aged AYNs in and around the Green Mountain Audubon Center such as wilderness skills plant and animal identification ornithology wildlife tracking habitat restoration community science conservation art amphibian migration maple sugaring and more.

• Be a mentor and role model teen AYNs CITs and other YCLP participants.

• Help collect data such as quotes project impacts and photos for grantors that highlight the success of YCLP.

• 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 the YCLP.

• Co-lead programs for middle school high school and college students.

• Work at our annual Sugar on Snow parties during Vermont Maple Open House Weekend 2025.

• Help recruit and train CITs

• Plan and lead at least one event for a high school-aged audience.

• Help plan promote and lead our new adventure-based teen summer camp Rivers and Ridges.

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. The intern is expected to be available when AYNs are on-site see schedule below (includes program prep time):

• February 23 and 24 2026 from 8:30am-3:30pm

• March 7 2026 from 9am-1:30pm

• April 23 and 24 2026 from 8:30am-3:30pm

• May 15 from 7am-12:30pm

• June 13 and 14 Camels Hump and Overnight. Intern arrives at Audubon at 7am on 6/13 and leaves 9:30am on 6/14.

Projected Start/End Date:

February 17 2026 and projected end date is July 10 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 Audubons organizational values of care collaboration change integrity impact and innovation.

• Experience or knowledge of community science apps such as Merlin Bird ID eBird iNaturalist and Natures 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.

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