The Outreach Assistant represents the Seabird Restoration Program (SRP) to the general public as a narrator aboard seasonal puffin and wildlife-watching cruises, and as a greeter and museum interpreter at the Project Puffin Visitor Center in Rockland, Maine (PPVC). Outreach Assistants bring the story of SRP’s 45-year history to children, adults, and families, and help people to understand the necessity for this applied conservation work, as well as to inspire them to become personally involved in conservation action as donors and citizen activists.
Shared housing may be provided and is located at Audubon's Todd Wildlife Sanctuary, located at 12 Audubon Road, in Bremen, Maine.
There are (3) full-time seasonal positions available as detailed below:
*Start Dates:
- Position (1)
- Begins early May, 2019
- 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 (2) and (3)
- Begin May 23rd, 2019
*End Dates:
- (2) positions - August 24th, 2019
- Position (1) - October 31st
- This position includes working at the Visitor Center (5) days / week in September and October.
**FOOD and HOUSING can be provided by Audubon.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Initial 1-2 week participation in seabird island field work including, but not limited to, bird counts and weather data collection, 3-hr observation stints from small unheated blinds, bird handling, measuring, banding, data entry and assisting with habitat management projects at an assigned island research site using binoculars (not provided) and spotting scopes (supplied) to aid in the collection of data as specified by the Island Supervisor;**
- Train with Education staff to learn: Audubon and early SRP 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;
- Write social media posts and support weekly Seabird Island News publication.
- Train with the Project Puffin Visitor Center Manager to learn: operation of remote wildlife cam equipment; operation of point-of-sale system; Visitor Center interpreter and inventory management procedures;
- Maintain inventory and sell books and seabird-related items aboard the commercial tours and at Project Puffin Visitor Center;
- Promote SRP’s mission, and encourage tour participants and PPVC visitors to financially support the Program;
- 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 Restoration Program 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.
Educational Background:
Must be pursuing bachelor’s degree (or currently hold a degree) in Environmental Education, Environmental Studies, Biology or similar background.
Skills/Experience:
- Previous experience in environmental education, bird-watching, and teaching public programs is required.
- Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications.
- Willingness and ability to camp in extreme weather, sit in small observation blinds with limited visibility for three-hour observation periods, and spend time at sea (on boats) is required.
- An upbeat and outgoing personality with a deep appreciation for wildlife conservation is a must.
- Excellent communications skills with ability to write clearly.
- Must be able to climb over rugged terrain and lift approximately 50 lbs.
- Must possess a valid driver's license, as well as, personal pair of good quality binoculars.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to get along with people of diverse backgrounds.
- Familiarity with spotting scopes, point-of-sale register system, camping equipment is a plus.
Additional Information:
- 2-person sized personal tents will be required (not furnished) for housing on the seabird islands.
- Wood platforms for tents on seabird islands will be provided. Sleeping bags and ground pad will be required (not furnished). Drinking water, food and propane for cooking are brought via boat and carried by hand to the field camps.
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Dec 29 2018
Active Until:
Jan 29 2019
Hiring Organization:
National Audubon Society
industry:
Nonprofit